It has been a quarter of a century since the West Jordan football team won a region title. Head coach Ronald Halbert wants to change that, and he is confident that he has the squad to break that dubious streak. 

Coming off a 6-6 record, the Jaguars have a strong core of returning players. The team doesn’t lack leadership or talent, either. It’s no wonder then that Halbert is bullish on this group’s chances. 

“One of our goals this year is to win a region championship since it hasn't been done here since 1999,” he said. “We feel that, with the returning players we have and the new additions, this goal is well within our reach. Our expectation is that we will win more than one playoff game and make a deep run in the 5A playoffs and improve our 6-6 record from last year.”

Specifically, Halbert wants to get to the state quarterfinals. He also would like to see his players not only get better on the field but develop away from the game of football.

Halbert selected seven captains this season. Six of them are seniors: linebacker/defensive end Keaton Lewis, quarterback Riley Warner, offensive lineman/nose guard Bobo Bradley, tight end/defensive lineman Piuna Talanoa, running back/strong safety Quinton Tulau and fullback/strong safety/linebacker Nick Bryant. The seventh captain is fullback/linebacker Scooby Tulau, who got the rare distinction of being chosen as a captain as a freshman. He’s a player to keep an eye on this season and beyond. 

“[Scooby Tulau] brings a relentless motor,” Halbert said. “His knowledge of the game is not normal for a ninth grader.”

There are several other key returning players on offense for West Jordan, including junior guard Paula Havea, senior wide receiver Nia Ioapo, senior wide receiver Julius Mulitalo, senior wide receiver Gio Polnaco, senior running back Niko Jones and junior Cody Johnson. On defense, returning starters, in addition to the captains, are senior defensive back Ian Matau, junior strong safety Porter Creasy, junior strong safety Cody Johnson, senior cornerback Aydon Dean, junior linebacker L.A. Moala and senior nose guard Opeti Naulu. 

Some newcomers should bolster the Jaguars this season as well. 

Halbert has good things to say about junior wide receiver/free safety Anthony Fale, junior tackle/defensive end Bishop Lolohea, junior wide receiver Julian Valnzuela, senior tackle Epeli Kaufusi and junior wide receiver/cornerback Jayden Giles, whom Halbert said “plays great man coverage as a cornerback” and “is a very good tackle and isn’t afraid to mix it up with bigger players.”

The West Jordan Jaguars opened their 2024 season Aug. 16 with a disappointing 21-9 loss to Woods Cross. It took the Jaguars until there was 5:20 left in the game to cross the goal line and score a touchdown. Warner had 187 yards passing in defeat but struggled with a 43% completion rate. Mulitalo led all players with seven catches for 65 yards. The Jaguars also rushed for 172 yards. Halbert acknowledged it wasn’t his team’s best effort, but he is confident the players will bounce back. He also pointed out that week one’s opponent was no slouch and could be a factor in the 5A race. 

“We didn't look great against Woods Cross, but they are a much-improved team and will win a bunch of games this year,” he said. “Our kids have worked very hard this offseason, and we as coaches expect very good things out of this year. Our senior leadership has been very good this year, and the team is responding to them.”

The Jaguars were the preseason pick to win Region 4, so Halbert’s objective to capture the league crown is hardly a stretch. However, with these expectations come challenges. Halbert and his players know that other teams, particularly fellow Region 4 foes, will give West Jordan their best shot. 

“There is a target on our backs,” Halbert said. 

An injury bug is another issue that West Jordan hopes to overcome. The Jaguars suffered many injuries in 2023, so Halbert is crossing his fingers that the team will enjoy better health this time around. Minimizing the number of players out of action will enhance West Jordan’s chances to win games and claim the league crown, he said. 

“We had several injuries last year that took a toll on our team,” he said. “We hope to not have as many this coming season and be somewhat healthy and playing our best football when we reach the playoffs. If we take every game seriously and just continue to get better and better each and every game, we should be able to overcome these challenges.”

Game two pitted West Jordan against Highland in an Aug. 23 home game. The Jaguars hosted Alta Aug. 30. The first Region 4 contest will be Sept. 19 at Granger. The regular season wraps up Oct. 18 at home against Taylorsville. Other region opponents are Hunter (Sept. 26), Cyprus (Oct. 3) and Kearns (Oct. 10). 

Winning games and advancing in the state tournament are gratifying goals to set and achieve. Still, Halbert loves seeing the players grow, get along and progress together. This is a collection of players he loves coaching and associating with. 

“This group has been a fun group to be around,” he said. “It has been great to see them come together with the same goals in mind. I really enjoy coaching these guys and look forward to a long-lasting relationship with all of them.”