Grand High football player dies; team rallies around his family

 Sam Woodruff, sophomore lineman for the Grand County Red Devils, died Saturday afternoon. His teammates are dedicating the season to him and will raise money to help cover his burial costs at their Red and White game this Saturday evening.

Courtesy of Merry Woodruff

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MOAB — Grand High sophomore Sam Woodruff was so excited about practicing in pads for the first time this football season, he couldn't sleep until after 4 a.m. Saturday.

Even with just a few hours of rest, he was one of the first boys at the high school for Saturday morning's practice.

"The glow and smile on his face was all you needed to see to know just how happy and content he was with football," said his mom, Merry Woodruff. "Football and his team really meant the world to him. It was the center of his social life."

The day he’d looked forward to for weeks ended tragically when the 15-year-old died from unknown causes Saturday afternoon at his home in Moab. An autopsy was performed, but it could take weeks for officials to learn what led to the boy’s death.

Grand Superintendent Scott Crane released a statement regarding Woodruff’s death on Tuesday.

“As a district family and community we mourn the loss of one of our students,” he said in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are for the family at this difficult, sorrowful time. It’s not the district’s policy to discuss student information with the media.”

Merry Woodruff said her son was somewhat timid as he began his freshman year but gained confidence, in large part, because of his participation in the school’s football program.

“He wasn’t able to complete his freshman year due to academics,” said his mom, “and this only made him more determined. His academic success improved greatly during third trimester, ensuring he’d be eligible his sophomore season. Not only did he gain focus on an education, he became more determined to better himself physically.”

Woodruff didn’t miss a single day of summer weight training or conditioning.

“His goal was to become the starting center for the JV team this year, and with continued work, be starting center for varsity his senior season,” Merry said. “Sam was so committed, every coach had his attention.”

With success in school and within the program, Woodruff, who was always a considerate, compassionate young man, gained confidence.

“He found a home away from home and really began to excel,” said Merry. “The coaches and team cared a lot about Sam, and he always reciprocated back.”

An only child, the Red Devil football players became the brothers he’d never had.

“The team welcomed Sam with open arms,” Merry said. “The last night of team camp, they hold what is called family night, where the team sits down and open up without any fear. This is the most basic of all bonding for the team. Sam poured out his heart and soul and was fully embraced by the team as any other member. The team was his family away from his family.”

Those young men will be working at the cemetery Saturday morning to help pay for Sam’s burial plot, according to the team’s Facebook page. Saturday evening at 7 p.m., the team will hold it’s Red and White scrimmage game at the high school, at which it will have cans where people can donate to the Woodruff family.

Sam’s death was announced on the team’s Facebook page on Aug. 11, and community members, parents and former players expressed their love and support for the Woodruff family and the young men who will now dedicate the season to Sam.

“He was a hard worker and an inspiration to the team,” the team’s Facebook page said the day after Sam’s death. “We will be dedicating this years state championship to Sam. We will miss you buddy.”

Woodruff’s funeral will be held Friday at 4 p.m. in the Grand High auditorium. A viewing will be held Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6-8 p.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary.

High school football: Grand Red Devils 2013 preview

Koi Cook

Courtesy Grand Co. High School

Note: Grand County finished with a 7-4 overall record in 2012 and tied for second place in 2A South with a 5-2 record. It lost to Manti 58-15 in the 2A semifinals.

MOAB — The Grand County football team is sitting in a pretty good position.

Not only are the Red Devils coming off a year that saw them win five more games than they had the previous season and advance to the semifinals, but they also have many of their primary contributors from a year ago back on the gridiron.

On top of that, the cohesive group is ready to give their all for the sake of the team.

“This group is a tight-knit family,” said assistant coach Ron Dolphin, who has coached the upperclassmen since they were in elementary school.

“They all care about each other; they are all leaders; they are all excited when somebody does something good,” Dolphin continued. “They all want what’s best for the team — it’s not about the stat.”

The all-for-one attitude was especially visible last season when quarterback and defensive back Jacob Francis was sidelined for a few games due to injury and Koi Cook, an all-purpose athlete who was No. 14 on the Deseret News top 20 prep football players list, stepped in to fill the hole.

That versatility is common across the Red Devils roster, and is not limited only to football.

“We spread the Moab kids thin,” Dolphin said, adding that many of the boys on the team are involved in multiple sports, student government, the school musical, and working jobs.

“Everyone is doing 50 different things. They are involved in everything,” Dolphin said. “It is amazing what we get out of these kids.”

That same versatility allows the team to spread its weapons around the field.

A year ago, Francis, now a senior, had 988 passing yards, 765 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns, 44 tackles, two interceptions, two field goals and 24 PATs. Cook added 1,162 more offensive yards, 14 scores, a team-high 129 tackles and three interceptions.

Other key returners include seniors Cameron Taylor and Layton Call along with juniors Koby Sobremesana and Ronnie Dolphin.

“We have a lot of guys who can attack,” coach Dolphin said. “(Opponents) can’t just key in on one kid this year; we will be able to keep the defense honest.”

The Red Devils boast three key returning full-time linemen in Edgar Gomez, Austin Day and David Bentley. They will lead a group of juniors — which includes Tanner White, Adam Flanders, Josh Harris and Charlie DeMars Conoly — who the coaching staff expects to make a big impact.

“We have greater depth on the line,” Dolphin said, “which is something we missed last year.”

After watching this group of juniors and seniors grow up, the coach feels the greatest growth he has seen is in their size.

“They have always been a solid group of kids,” he said. “They have turned into a great group of young men. We are excited to see what they can do.”

Grand County kicks off with three straight home games before hitting the road in the second week of September. Dolphin said that, after the semifinal run last season, the coaching staff and their players are utilizing the experience but are avoiding getting “destination disease” and will take this season one game at a time.

“2A is pretty wide open. It’s anybody’s game,” he said. “We are striving to be there. We are working hard and hoping to have a little luck on our side when we meet the opportunity.”