Bridger Cowdin running strong in Desert Hills offense

St. George, Utah — All Bridger Cowdin wants to do is hit someone. He routinely makes a simple request at football practices: he wants to be added to the defensive mix.

"I wish I was playing both ways," Cowdin said. "Every practice, I go to our defensive coordinator and say, 'All right. I'm ready to play defense,' and he'll say, 'Just get 300 yards and I'll be happy.'"

No one can blame the Desert Hills (St. George) coaches for denying Cowdin's request. The team would not be the same without the senior focusing exclusively on tormenting opposing defenses in the backfield.

Cowdin is the leader in all-purpose yardage among returning running backs in all Utah classifications. He has accumulated more than 3,600 all-purpose yards during his first two seasons. Cowdin led Class 3AA in rushing in 2013, generating 1,107 yards and 13 touchdowns on 206 carries. He also tallied 263 yards and a pair of TDs on 24 receptions.

His consistent offensive production played an important role in helping Desert Hills claim its first ever state title last fall. Cowdin's impact could be even more significant this season.

The Thunder brought in former NFL quarterback Jay Schroeder as a new offensive coordinator. Schroeder has installed a spread offense that will put a greater emphasis on the pass than in previous seasons. It will create more room for Cowdin to operate and his coaches plan to take full advantage of the situation.

"If Bridger was in an I-Back backfield with a big line in front of him, he probably would have averaged over 2,000 yards the past two years," Desert Hills coach Carl Franke said. "He's really had to sacrifice himself there for the betterment of the team. This year, I can't wait. We're going to move him all around the field because he's a mismatch everywhere."

Moving around the field suits Cowdin's particular set of skills nicely. He is already an elusive runner who knows how to avoid taking a beating while churning out yards and touchdowns. Cowdin blends multiple running styles — he isn't exclusively a power runner or a shifty runner.

After seeing the nuances added to the Thunder offense for this season, Cowdin is eager to show other teams what he can do in this scheme.

"It will blow up our whole offensive game," Cowdin said. "It will be fun. Last year, every team I swear had eight or nine in the box. We still pulled through even with teams doing that."

It could be enough to really shine the spotlight on Cowdin with college recruiters. Several FBS programs have shown interest in the senior including Army, Nebraska, Missouri, Stanford, California, Utah, BYU, Utah State, Boise State and Fresno State.

Only Fresno State has offered a scholarship out of that group of schools so far. His other scholarship offers have come from FCS schools like SUU, Weber State and Montana.

That could all change once teams see what Cowdin can do playing in a wide-open offense. He has already earned a reputation for being slippery with most defenders he faces.

"You can't really get clean shots on him," Franke said. "He doesn't really allow himself to get hit square. He's got the ability to escape and his vision in the open field is uncanny. He really knows where to cut where most wouldn't."

Cowdin does not really care how the season plays out in terms of his individual stats. His main goal — one shared by his teammates — is to earn a second straight Class 3AA football title. He figures winning it all again will prove that the Thunder were no one-year wonder.

"We honestly could do it again," Cowdin said. "We have some great competition, but the feeling right now that our team has — we know we did it last year with everyone doubting us. They're still saying we just got lucky. You don't get lucky winning a state championship. It just doesn't happen."

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can reach him at john_coon@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports.