2015 Sandy Valley Football Capsule

League: Division IV Southern

Head coach: Brett Kramer, fourth season

2014 record: 6-4 (4-3 Southern, fourth)

Returning lettermen: 12

Returning starters: Four offense, four defense

Base offensive set: Multiple

Base defensive set: 3-3, 4-2

Top offensive players: RB Alexis Fajardo (Jr.); RB Logan Shelton (Sr.) TE David Doty (Sr.); C Derek Larsen (Jr.)

Top defensive players: LB Fajardo (Jr.); LB Nick Dresden (Sr.); DE Nate Miller (So.)

Top special teams players: P Shelton (Sr.); K Fajardo (Jr.)

Key losses: QB/CB Lane Eastham; RB/LB James Rau; RB/DE Garrett Seller; G/NG Derrick Dilley

Outlook: Sandy Valley qualified for the playoffs for the first time in school history last season by capturing the No. 4 seed in the Division IV Southern League.

The Sidewinders, who also are riding two consecutive winning seasons, will have to overcome a difficult schedule in 2015 to return to the postseason, but expectations are high in the Mesquite Valley.

Fajardo will lead the way on both sides of the ball. The junior averaged 10 yards per carry en route to 307 rushing yards and also finished the season with a team-high 68 tackles, including three for a loss.

Shelton has moved from tight end to running back this season and will provide the team with some much-needed leadership. The Sidewinders will need all they can get after losing standout players Eastham and Rau to graduation.

Kramer said it’s going to be crucial to, “stay healthy and improve throughout the season while replacing some key seniors from the previous year.”