2025 Spanish Springs Cougars Preview

2025 Spanish Springs Cougars Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

We are now officially two weeks into football season in The Silver State, and I couldn’t be more excited. After a brief hiatus over the past two weeks, I’m Back to finish up previewing many teams from our local area as well as a few other surprises, if time permits. Without further ado here is Today’s team: Spanish Springs.

Spanish Springs Cougars

Head Coach: Rob Hummel, seventh season at Spanish Springs (37-28 overall, 20-9 league in six seasons at Spanish Springs)

Previous Season Record: 7-5 overall, 3-2 league

Overview: After back-to-back seasons that saw the Spanish Springs Cougars play in the regional championship game they lost to their crosstown rivals with a chance to play in a third consecutive title game last season. The heartbreak of last season ending has motivated the Cougars for this season.

Spanish Springs enters the 2025 season with a high-powered spread offense that head coach Rob Hummel says, “gives us multiple ways to put stress on a defense and get the ball into different playmakers hands.” The offense returns five starters, including last season’s Large Class Regional Most Valuable Player, Senior Brady Hummel, who is a dynamic playmaker at wide receiver, gaining 843 receiving yards and 10 TDs on 73 receptions last season. Fellow Senior Tyson McNeil leads the charge at quarterback, having racked up 2,495 passing yards and 20 TDs while completing almost 65-percent of his passes last season. Joining him are a duo of talented running backs, Seniors Cooper Milligan (685 rushing yards, 7 TDs) and Jaxson Harris (455 rushing yards, 8 TDs), and a dynamic group of receivers – including JJ Stewart (442 receiving yards, 2 TDs), Jackson Sundeen (141 receiving yards), George Deacon Buddy (62 receiving yards) and Braden McDonald (467 receiving yards and 3 TDs), who is switching positions to tight end and will be a hybrid pass catcher this season; and veteran offensive lineman, Nery Gonzalez and Aiden Doherty, who anchor the front. With speed, experience, and versatility at the skill positions, the offense is built to attack defenses in multiple ways and keep the pressure on their opponents for four quarters.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Spanish Springs Cougars will base out of a 4-2-5 alignment, a scheme that “gives us lots of flexibility versus the different offensive schemes we face,” according to head coach Rob Hummel. The unit brings back five starters as well, including a disruptive defensive end, Senior Isaiah Blinkinsop (who has recently committed to Southern Utah), Blinkinsop registered 50 tackles last season including 15 TFLs and nine sacks; a powerful defensive tackle in Senior Nico Delamora (38 tackles); an inside linebacker in Jaden Chase (62 tackles, and one sack last season) who will be expected to take over a leading role in place of Kyler Depaepe, who was named Defensive Player of the Year last season after registering 192 tackles and two sacks - but will unfortunately miss the season with an injury. Chase was an honorable mention all region performer last season. Also returning are a pair of cornerbacks in Seniors Carter Zirkle (31 tackles and an interception), an honorable mention all region performer last season - who Coach Hummel described as savvy, aggressive and hard nosed along with JJ Stewart (17 tackles and two interceptions) who was described as a cover corner with great ball skills and speed. They will flank the aforementioned Hummel (63 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles) who returns at Safety this season. Coach Hummel said on his son “He quarterbacks the defensive backfield and possesses excellent range and ball skills. He’s equally as good in coverage as he is at defending the run with his physicality.” Despite the losses, the returning core is experienced and ready to step up this coming season.

Special teams will also be a factor for Spanish Springs Cougars, with playmakers returning at punter, Senior Cooper Milligan; kick returner Senior Jackson Sundeen; and punt returner, Senior Brady Hummel. The ability to flip the field and change momentum in the third phase of the game will be a valuable asset throughout the season. The coaching staff believes that strong special teams play can help this team gain hidden yardage, create scoring opportunities, and win close games.

The coaching staff is clear about the formula for success this season: Coach Hummel said “Great physical and mental preparation week to week. High-level execution in all three phases of the game and making the plays that are there to be made. We also want to be good teammates by celebrating each other’s success as our own.” The strengths of the team include their overall physicality, the number of varsity-experienced playmakers who’ve faced high-level competition, and the depth across multiple positions. With these pieces in place, the team believes they can compete at a high level all season long.

As the new season kicks off, the goals for Spanish Springs are clear: “Outwork every opponents each week and be the more physical team on field, they will be the most physical team on the field, and play their best football when it matters most. The Cougs also expect to compete for a league, region and state championship.” The team is focused on peaking at the right time and making a deep postseason run, with ambitions to contend for a league title, regional championship, and ultimately a state championship. With experienced leaders, a strong work ethic, and a balanced roster, Spanish Springs is ready to embrace the challenge and set a new standard for excellence.

Potential Projected Starters:

Offense

QB Tyson McNeil, Senior: McNeil was named a Second Team All Region performer last season after he passed for 2,495 yards and 20 TDs in his first as a starter on Varsity. Coach Hummel said “[He’s a] Gamer that can make plays with his arm and elusiveness.

RB Cooper Milligan, Senior and Jaxson Harris, Senior: Both were named Honorable Mention All-Region last year as they racked up a combined 1,140 rushing yards and 15 TDs.

WR Brady Hummel, Senior: Northern Region Most Valuable Player, and First Team All-Region last season. Entering his 3^rd season as a starter – he is an explosive playmaker with experience.

WR JJ Stewart, Senior and Jackson Sundeen, Senior and George Deacon Buddy, Junior.

WR/TE Braden McDonald, Junior: Honorable Mention All-Region WR last season after recording 467 receiving yards and 3 TDs on 27 receptions. McDonald was described as “Athletic, Physical, [and with a] great catch radius” by Coach Hummel. Personally, he reminds me of Andy McIntosh of Douglas (’04) with the physicality that he plays with from the skill positions – the switch to TE may be what gets him on the radar of D-I programs.

OT Nery Gonzalez, Senior: Second Team All-Region last season, entering his third season as a starter. Athletic, physical and most experienced offensive lineman for The Cougs.

OG TBD

C Aiden Doherty, Senior: Physical, experienced, and vocal leader of the offensive line. Poised for a big year.

OG TBD

OT Grant Beckman Senior: Physical, reliable, and experienced. Poised for a big season.

Defense

DE Isaiah Blinkinsop, Senior: First Team All-Region selection last season. Very athletic, disruptive and physical. Committed to Southern Utah University to play next season.

DT Nico Delamora, Senior: Honorable Mention All-Region who is strong, [has a] great motor, and is disciplined.

DE TBD

OLB TBD

ILB Jaden Chase, Senior: Chase will be expected to take over for fellow Senior Kyler DePaepe, who is expected to be out for the season. Chase registered 62 tackles and a sack last season while being named Honorable Mention All-Region. Coach Hummel called him “[A] physical athlete that plays with a lot of discipline and determination.” Chase will lead ‘The Purple People Eaters’ defense this season.

OLB TBD

CB Carter Zirkle, Senior: Honorable Mention All-Region last season. He has been described as “Savvy, aggressive and hard-nosed” by his head coach.

CB JJ Stewart, Senior: Stewart is an athletic corner with great ball skills and speed.

SS Brady Hummel, Senior: First Team All-Region, Northern Region MVP – entering his third season as a two-way starter.

FS TBD

Kicker TBD

Punter Cooper Milligan, Senior: First Team All-Region – Top Punter in The North. “Booming hang time and distance.”

Kick Returner Jackson Sundeen, Senior: An elusive playmaker with great ball skills and excellent open field vision. A dangerous threat in the return game.

Punt Returner Brady Hummel, Senior: Sure handed with great ball skills and the athleticism to create big plays with the ball in his hands.

Season Schedule:

Aug. 15 at Simi Valley (Calif.)

Aug. 29 vs. Clayton Valley Charter (Concord, Calif.)

Sep. 5 vs. Carson

Sep. 12 at Pleasant Valley (Chico, Calif.)

Sep. 19 at Reno

Sep. 26 vs. Reed

Oct. 3 at Damonte Ranch

Oct. 17 vs. Douglas

Oct. 24 at Bishop Manogue

Oct. 31 vs. Galena

J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022. If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter/X @J_RayDoc.