HURRICANE — The Hurricane Tigers want to get a little bit better, every day.
Third-year head football coach Corey Ashby went 2-9 in each of his first two seasons on the sideline in Hurricane.
After practice Thursday night, Ashby told St. George News that of course everyone wants more wins, but he doesn’t measure the success of a season solely by counting Ws.
“At the end of the day, one team wins the state championship,” Ashby said. “So does that make the rest of the 26 teams in 4A not have a successful season? No way. Our job is to get better every single day. The wins are going to fall where they fall.”
That being said, he added, the Tigers this year certainly have the ability to surpass their win total from last season.
“I’m super confident in our kids. They play with a lot of effort, they execute. I think we’re going to be fine,” he said.
The practice was a run-through and preparation for Friday night’s Hurricane Football Showcase, Ashby said, which featured a full-pad, full-speed scrimmage.
“We’re making sure we’re on our cues,” he said. “Just kind of rehearsing what we’ve done in the past, but just making sure that everyone understands we have to work in the sophomores and other players who haven’t done it with the varsity yet.”
The young Tigers will have three experienced captains to lean on when Hurricane kicks off the season Aug. 11 at Mountain Crest.
“Kellen Pledger, he’s been starting for us three years in a row now, since a sophomore,” Ashby said. “Ethan Staples, our starting running back from last year. And Tovia Tunei, he’s been starting for us since a sophomore as well. So three really great studs.”
A fourth honorary captain will be chosen each week, Ashby said, as an incentive for Tigers who stand out both on and off the field.
Three sophomore Tigers had a spirited battle for the starting quarterback position with one emerging as the starter.
“Game one, Dylyn Gabriel will be our quarterback,” Ashby said. “He’s young, super athletic. We’re really excited to see what he can do.”
Brigham Kemp and Ryan Borchardt also take snaps under center for the Tigers.
“Those two have been battling as well,” Ashby said. “Right now, Dylyn’s got the nod. I’m confident in him and he’s a great kid. Works his butt off in the weight room with us all the time, throws a great ball, athletic, fast. So we’re excited.”
After a chaotic off-season that saw players and coaches depart the program, Ashby said the Tigers are excited just to get on the field and play some football.
“It was a little crazy. All things you can’t control,” Ashby said. “At the end of the day we can’t control any of that stuff that goes on. We’re going to focus on what we can control and focus on the guys that want to be in Hurricane.
“We’re going to compete with the dudes that want to be here,” he added. “I know it’s cliche, but we’re going to get better every single day.”
St. George News will have ongoing preseason football coverage with daily team previews before kick off on Aug. 11.
Photo Gallery
Hurricane Tigers run a play in practice, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 3, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Hurricane Tigers run a play in practice, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 3, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Hurricane Tigers run a play in practice, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 3, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Hurricane Tigers run a play in practice, Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 3, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Third-year head coach Corey Ashby addresses the Tigers after practice, Hurricane, Utah, August 3, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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