Program Preview: Coronado Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coronado carries higher expectations into 2024 coming off a 5-6 campaign last season. Led by the #2-ATH and #2-QB in PRZ NV's 2025 rankings, the Cougars have talent on both sides of the ball that should make them highly competitive in the state's toughest division. They'll be tested early with preseason matchups against some of the top teams in California (Lincoln- San Diego) and Hawaii (Kailua) before a midseason matchup with California powerhouse San Clemente. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key</strong> <strong>Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='820676' first='Aiden' last='Krause'] (QB, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111025' first='JJ' last='Buchanan']</strong> (ATH, 2025), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112456' first='Scott' last='Holper']</strong> (WR, 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1325735' first='Derek' last='Hurley'] (RB, 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1334979' first='Marquesion' last='Floyde'] (LB, 2025), <strong>Will</strong> <strong>Bittman</strong> (LB, 2025), <strong>Wynn</strong> <strong>Philippi</strong> (DL, 2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1326473' first='Isaiah' last='Colbert'] (DB, 2025), <strong>Neville</strong> <strong>Roberts</strong> (LB, 2025), [player_tooltip player_id='876721' first='Luke' last='Pratt'] (OL, 2026), <strong>CJ</strong> <strong>Ellis</strong> (OL, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Watch</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1110888' first='Tyron' last='Tinner'] (WR, 2026), <strong>Kameron</strong> <strong>Kuhar</strong> (LB, 2025), <strong>Ty</strong> <strong>Roberts</strong> (OL, 2026), <strong>John</strong> <strong>Church</strong> (OL, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Schedule</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/23 vs. Sierra Vista&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/31 vs. Kailua (HI)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/6 vs. Lincoln (CA)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/20 vs. Liberty</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/27 vs. Arbor View</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/5 @ Basic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/11 @ San Clemente&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/18 @ Desert Pines</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/24 @ Foothill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>11/1 vs. Bishop Gorman</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='820676' first='Aiden' last='Krause'] returns to lead the Coronado offense after putting together a breakout junior season with over 2,000 passing yards and 18 TDs. Krause is a mobile pocket-passer with a live arm that can distribute the ball to every area of the field. He puts effortless velocity on the ball and can extend plays with his legs when needed. Krause committed to Georgetown after picking up four D-I offers this offseason. The offense returns it's two leading WRs from last season in Utah-commit [player_tooltip player_id='1111025' first='JJ' last='Buchanan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1112456' first='Scott' last='Holper']. Buchanan's an elite playmaker on both sides of the ball and a matchup problem on the perimeter (WR/S) with his rare blend of size (6'4"/205), athleticism, and ball skills. Holper's one of the most underrated and underrecruited WRs in Nevada's senior class- the 6'/170 wideout led the team in receiving yards (737) and TDs (9) last season. He's an explosive vertical threat that can create separation with natural speed and finish plays downfield with his ability to track the ball. Holper picked up his first offer from Minnesota Duluth in May. The offense also picked up a valuable playmaker in Desert Pines-transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1110888' first='Tyron' last='Tinner']. Tinner's a quick, twitchy slot receiver that totaled 16 catches for 300 yards and 2 TDs as a junior. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1325735' first='Derek' last='Hurley'] returns to the backfield after being limited by injury as a junior. Hurley's a versatile back that should handle the majority of carries and provides a valuable receiving skillset out of the backfield. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='876721' first='Luke' last='Pratt'] anchors the OL unit as the #3-ranked OL prospect in PRZ NV's 2026 class. Pratt's a vital piece of the front-seven with proven versatility to play multiple positions. He packs power in his hands in pass protection and has experience playing C, OG, and OT. Senior <strong>CJ</strong> <strong>Ellis</strong> is another returning returning starter with promising length for his OT position at 6'6"/215.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1334979' first='Marquesion' last='Floyde'] is the team's top returning tackler after totaling 72 tackles and 9 TFLs as a junior. He's an athletic perimeter defender with the speed to play on the edge, can drop back into coverage making plays on the ball, and can be disruptive behind the LOS. Floyde's stayed busy this offseason and should be a candidate to pick up his first offer in the near future with another productive season. Fellow senior OLB <strong>Will</strong> <strong>Bittman</strong> also returns to the defensive front-seven after posting 53 total tackles and 6.5 TFLs as a junior. Bittman's another versatile 3-4 OLB that can disrupt the backfield, drop into coverage, and tackle in space. Sophomore <strong>Wynn</strong> <strong>Philippi</strong> flashed defensive playmaking on the DL last season- he served as an athletic, under-sized (6'2"/215) DT last season but could end up filling one of the vacant ILB spots as a junior. Returning DE <strong>Neville</strong> <strong>Roberts</strong> is a player to keep an eye on with the DL unit. Two-way star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1111025' first='JJ' last='Buchanan']</strong> leads the secondary from his FS position. Buchanan- who totaled 4 INTs as a junior- is an elite defender with the size, range, and physicality he brings. Senior nickel/SS [player_tooltip player_id='1326473' first='Isaiah' last='Colbert'] is another defender to watch in the secondary- Colbert's a 2025 watchlist prospect that could make the jump into the official rankings with a strong senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->