For Cottonwood seniors Jonah Benns and Rogelio Hernandez, their paths to new heights as players were somewhat different but equally memorable, according to Colts head soccer coach BryLee Harvest. 

Their high school careers ended May 9 at Provo in the first round of the 4A state playoffs in a 3-0 loss. 

“We continued to battle in the second half and gave up the third goal very late in the game gambling numbers up the field to try save our season,” Harvest said. 

That setback, however, was just a small part of who they were and how they came to be. 

Benns, who transferred to Cottonwood after three seasons at another high school, first met Harvest at a club tryout three years ago. Both were new to LaRoca, and yet according to the Cottonwood head coach, Benns stood out because of the character he was showing on the field. 

“I’ve never seen a player that was more willing to help his team and go beyond himself to make sure his teammates were OK and included in activities,” Harvest recalled.  

Another moment Harvest said he will never forget came during a higher-level club tournament when the goalkeeper received a red card—which meant he was out for the next game. 

“Jonah didn’t hesitate to put the gloves on and kept a clean sheet win (which included a penalty kick save),” said Harvest of Benns, who usually played as a defender. 

By the time Benns made the decision to transfer high schools after his junior year, he didn’t necessarily want to play high school soccer anymore. 

“At his other school, Jonah was going through a lot and lost the passion for the game,” Harvest said. 

Almost immediately at Cottonwood though, Benns stood out for his leadership ability and his coachability. It was enough to have Harvest name him a team captain. 

“There was no hesitation to make him a captain after arriving at Cottonwood and only being there a short time,” Harvest said. “The kids looked up to him for his genuineness and inclusivity.” 

That was never more apparent than when Benns was waiting on the UHSAA to clear him, and the senior captained both the JV and the varsity squads. When most guys would have steered clear of the team until they were declared eligible, that was not how Benns operated. 

“He spent half of the season playing JV as we were awaiting his varsity transfer restriction to conclude, he was a captain that led all players,” Harvest said. “He was never ‘too cool’ to hang out with anyone from the team, I’m so proud of him for getting the long overdue opportunity he never got at his other school. He regained that playing here and was a really good story in a not so good season.”

For Hernandez, an extremely humble kid according to Harvest, he decided to take a year away from his club soccer team and focus more on other things in his life. 

“… He comes from a great family,” said Harvest. “…and didn’t spend too much time on the ball outside of the offseason trainings we offered this year.” 

Hernandez was one of the most technically gifted players Harvest said he’s ever coached, and yet there was one problem during the young man’s junior year at Cottonwood. 

“He struggled to adjust to the physicality of the high school game coming from club last season and we all knew there was so much more he could offer from his junior season,” Harvest said. 

In his junior year, Hernandez scored one goal—in one varsity game. 

With a year to mentally revitalize himself tucked neatly into his soccer socks, the midfielder in the No. 10 jersey wasted no time after having a tough season opener against Highland, showing what he could do at home against Tooele, March 10. 

“His record run started with a hat-trick against Tooele, including one of the best free kicks I’ve ever seen at Cottonwood,” Harvest said. 

The Colts pulled out a dramatic 5-4 victory in two overtimes thanks in large part to the offensive prowess of Hernandez, who dealt with opponents tugging at his jersey and worse all season long. 

“He had teams doubling and triple teaming him and he still found ways to score,” marveled Harvest. 

By the time the season was over, a long one in which the Colts finished with a 3-15 record and yet got the very last No. 24 spot in the state tournament, Hernandez would etch his name in the school’s
record books. 

“[Rogelio] entered the top five goal scorers list in a single season at Cottonwood, tying Nelson Krogue’s eight goals in 2008,” Harvest said. “It’s not often you get to experience greatness, let alone a record season in a player. Rogelio is one of the most technically gifted and fun to watch players I’ve ever coached.” λ