Box Elder football preview: Bees ready to roll with Mund in coach transition, reload
Defensive line will be the "anchor" in Year 1, Mund said
- Box Elder’s Jay Macias lines up with his team for a kickoff against Northridge on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Weber High in Pleasant View.
- Box Elder’s Mason Jeppsen, left, and Carter Buchanan celebrate a fumble recovery against Northridge on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Weber High in Pleasant View.
- Northridge’s Porter Olsen (16) throws a pass as Box Elder’s Bodee Burnham (30) rushes on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Weber High in Pleasant View.
BRIGHAM CITY — After cycling through numerous positions, Carson Mund has landed at what he considers the best at Box Elder. A former assistant to longtime Bees coach Robbie Gunter, Mund now takes charge of a program on the verge of big things.
The Bees (9-3, 5-2 Region 5 last season) fell short of the semifinal round with a 41-14 defeat to Olympus in the 5A state playoffs a year ago. Mund returns to Box Elder from a far different scene at Logan, where the Grizzlies struggled to a 2-8 finish during Mund’s lone season at the helm.
Asked about his decision to move, Mund said the opportunity to return to the tradition he grew up with — paired with the lessons learned farther north — was too good to pass up when Gunter, Mund’s former mentor, announced his transition into administration following his 21st season of coaching.
“For me, it’s been a dream come true,” Mund said. “It’s been an easy transition. I’ve coached here before with (Gunter) and so it’s been easy to come back. The kids already know the expectations and we’re just moving on.”
Mund inherits a sturdy line on both sides of the football. Senior tackles Roman Torrey (OL), Cody Kaleikini (OL/DL) and Chance Richards (OL/DL) are the core of what Mund considers the “anchor” of his first team as head coach.
Senior skill players Jay Macias (DE/RB), Caden Buchanan (LB/TE) and Bodee Burnham (DE/RB/TE) deepen the Bees’ defense.
Proven defensive backs Landon Harding (DB/WR) and Tyeson Hansen add further relief to the Bees’ defense, aiding senior Carter Buchanan’s transition to full-time quarterback. Buchanan completed just one pass for 15 yards last year backing up two senior arms.
Buchanan is set to lead an offense that produced more than 4,700 yards last season behind star quarterback Ryan Griffin. While Mund encourages Buchanan to throw the ball, the Bees can also turn to senior running backs Easton Beauregard and Macias, who’s moving into the offense for the first time.
Macias understands the backfield has a lot to prove this season after signing off three senior running backs each amassing 500 or more rushing yards.
“I feel like it translates pretty well fitting through gaps and stuff as a defensive lineman,” Macias said. “It’s almost the same as running through gaps as a running back. … We’ve got more plays, we’ve got more options, a lot of different sets. It’s not even close to the same as last year.”
What’s not new is Mund’s approach to coaching and guiding the Bees through their first change at head coach in 15 years. The Box Elder alum’s close ties with the football community made the hire a slam dunk, senior tackle Roman Torrey said.
“It’s translated a lot with the hard work and dedication,” Torrey said. “There’s some different things with the new offense and stuff. … We did lose a lot of people but I feel like we reloaded pretty well. We’ve got tough guys that know what to do.”
During his playing career, Mund learned from coaches Gunter and Wes Roesler. Now in charge himself, Mund said it’s part of his goal to create a fusion of their traditions within his program.
“I was lucky enough to learn from both of those guys and try to take a little bit from those guys,” Mund said. “There’s really no coach that’s his own, right? We all take stuff from other coaches and I’m trying to find a happy medium between (Gunter) and (Roesler) and try to make this into, what I believe, is a successful program.”
BOX ELDER NOTES
Last season: 9-3 (5-2 Region 5)
Head coach: Carson Mund (First season as head coach, previously served as an assistant under Robbie Gunter in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2022.)
Players to watch:
• Carter Buchanan, QB, Senior; 1 completion, 15 yards
• Easton Beauregard, RB, Senior; 6 carries, 29 yards
• Landon Harding, DB/WR, Junior; 1 reception, 15 yards
• Caden Buchanan, LB/TE, Junior; 79 tackles, 37 solo tackles
• Jay Macias, DE/RB, Senior; 47 tackles, 28 solo tackles
• Tyeson Hansen, DB/RB, Senior; 35 tackles, 24 solo tackles
• Bodee Burnham, DE/RB/TE, Senior; 5.0 sacks
• Roman Torrey, OL, Senior
• Cody Kaleikini, OL/DL, Senior
• Chance Richards, OL/DL, Senior
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 16 – Kearns
Aug. 23 – Mountain Crest
Aug. 30 @ Bear River
Sept. 6 – @ Northridge*
Sept. 12 – Roy*
Sept. 20 – Clearfield*
Sept. 27 – Viewmont*
Oct. 4 – @ Bountiful*
Oct. 10 – Woods Cross*
Oct. 16 – @ Bonneville*
*Denotes Region 5 game.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.