Juan Diego football team wins region, makes semifinals

Courtesy photo/Bob McLellan-ShootingStar Photography

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Juan Diego's Walter Reyes-Kauhaahaa, a linebacker and running back, intercepts the ball from a Dixie High School receiver in the semifinal game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. 

DRAPER — The Juan Diego Catholic High School football team was undefeated going into the 3A state semifinal game against Dixie High School, but lost 14-13 at Rice-Eccles Stadium under the lights on a snow-covered field Nov. 9.

"We had too many penalties, turnovers, and missed assignments to win the game," said John Colosimo, Juan Diego head coach. "That’s the nature of playing games. I think it was an upset; on a dry field it might have been a different outcome, but both teams had to play on it and they managed it better than we did."

In the quarter finals, the Soaring Eagle team shut out defending 3A state champion Hurricane High School 38-0. Juan Diego won Region X for the 10th straight year and has won the state championship in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

"We have a good program and we are very proud of our kids," said Chris Long, Juan Diego athletic director. "Coach John Colosimo has built the program into one of the premier programs with the best winning percentage in the state of Utah. His record is 117-28 since the school opened in 1999."

During the season, the Soaring Eagle team paid tribute to teammate Adam Colosimo by wearing his number 2 on their jerseys and helmets; Adam Colosimo died July 10 after an accident. "He was always on our minds and in our memories, but football was a great healing tool for us and allowed us to come together and keep Adam close to our hearts," said Coach Colosimo, Adam Colosimo’s uncle.

Colosimo explained the work ethic and dedication was the true testament of honoring Adam Colosimo.

"We had a remarkable year," he continued. "I told the kids there are about 110 teams that play high school football in the state of Utah and about 100 of them would trade their season for ours. We won 12 games in a row and made it to the state semifinals, we haven’t lost a region game since 2005; we beat 5A Granger, 4A Skyline, Springville and Salem Hills, and we beat the 2A champs Manti, giving them their only loss. We averaged about 40 points a game in region and only gave up approximately six points in region. The kids were disappointed they didn’t get to the finals, but there are a lot of good things our team accomplished."

This senior class has won four region titles, have a 47-5 record, won two state titles as freshmen and sophomores, and went to the state quarter final and semifinals as juniors and seniors, respectively, said Colosimo.

"Our senior class was outstanding and our junior class was very supportive," he added. "The senior captains, Nick Markosian and Dakota Cox, did a great job in the leadership role. Markosian was the quarterback and over two years he won 17 games and lost two, which is quite remarkable. Cox was a three-year starter and played linebacker and tight end; he is going to play football at the University of Cincinnati."

Numerous other seniors and juniors have contributed to the success of this year, he said. "Kahea Chang, a senior wide receiver, defensive back and a leader by example, was an inspiration to a lot of the kids," said Colosimo. "Zach Schekel, also a senior, was a three-year starter at center and was the linchpin of our offensive line and was the kind of kid that would play with a lot of heart and determination and we’re very happy that he might have a chance to play some college ball as well."