2019 Utah Valley Football Preview

FOOTBALL PR EVIEW U T A H

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PREP SEASON 2 0 1 9

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2 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ISAAC HALE DAILY HERALD

Maple Mountain senior defensive tackle Jeffry Villalobos participates in a drill during preseason practice on July 29, at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork.

Utah Valley football by the numbers — 4 Preece Power Poll — 4 Utah Valley Top 5 — 5 Jared & Darnell go 1-on-1 — 6

High school team previews 8-11, 14-21 Putting in the work — 12 Top returners — 22

Editor’s note

F

rom the moment the 2018 high school football season ended, many football players across Utah Valley have been looking forward to this weekend.

Through the cold snow of December, January and February, to the heat of June and July, these players have been working to get ready when the switch is flipped, and the lights turn on.

Now is the time to enjoy the pop of the pads and the cheer of the crowds that weren’t there in the weight room or in the gym while running sprints in the offseason.

Yes, it’s time for Friday Night Lights. It’s time for football season.

We, the staff at the Daily Herald, are proud of this magazine. From the writings of Jared Lloyd, Darnell Dickson and Brian E. Preece, to the photography of Isaac Hale and the vision and design skills of the talented Herald staff, this magazine has been a team effort.

As the 19 area high schools prepare to begin their seasons on Aug. 15 or Aug. 16, we wish them luck in their efforts. Efforts that were not seen by many, but will lead to success on the gridiron this fall.

Phillip Morgan Daily Herald Sports Editor

ONLINE heraldextra.com/preps19

ON THE COVER

TEAM SCOTT BLONDE Publisher

PHOTOS BY ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Clockwise from top left: Provo Bulldogs senior safety Ryan Harward, Orem Golden Tigers senior defensive back Jake Robinson; Lone Peak Knights senior safety Nate Ritchie and Maple Mountain Golden Eagles senior running back Ruben Rose pose for portraits.

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2019 Season 3

POWER POLL

2019 Preece Power Poll: preseason edition

BY BRIAN E. PREECE • Herald Correspondent

Preseason rankings are always dicey. And it’s always difficult to put in the first-year and even second-year schools into the rankings. There are four new schools that will sport football programs in 2019, one of which (Cedar Valley) is right here in Utah County.

Cedar Valley will compete in 4A, and most of its athletes will come from Westlake, but Lehi could also be impacted by the arrival of the Aviators. The other new schools are 5A Mountain Ridge (Jordan School District mainly taking athletes from Herriman), 4A Crimson Cliffs in St. George pulling athletes away mostly from Snow Canyon and Dixie, and Providence Hall, a charter school starting up a football program that will compete with an independent schedule.

1. CORNER CANYON (6A) Chargers won 2018 5A tourney but bump up to 6A for 2019 2. BINGHAM (6A) Perennial power has the talent to get back to the top 3. SKYRIDGE (6A) Falcons beat 6A champs Lone Peak last year 4. LONE PEAK (6A) Knights hope to repeat in 6A 5. EAST (6A) Leopards stunned by Pleasant Grove in 6A playoffs 6. TIMPVIEW (5A) Talented T’Birds might be the 5A favorite 7. AMERICAN FORK (6A) Cavemen lost a lot of talent but school has athletes 8. PLEASANT GROVE (6A) Tough-minded Vikings will be hard to beat 9. OLYMPUS (5A) Great coaching always makes the Titans a contender 10. HIGHLAND (5A) Tradition-rich program wants to make a 5A title run 11. KEARNS (6A) Lots of returning starters and big expectations 12. SKY VIEW (4A) One of the best returning QB’s will lead Bobcat program 13. OREM (5A) Tigers lost a lot of big-time talent but still should be good 14. FREMONT (6A) Silverwolves the favorite in Region 1 15. DAVIS (6A) Darts hoping to meet expectations 16. JORDAN (6A) Moving up to 6A but Beetdig-

BIG SHOES TO FILL

BY THE NUMBERS

gers should still be good 17. ROY (6A) 5A semifinalists moving up to 6A this season 18. HERRIMAN (6A) Mustangs hope to bounce back after off year 19. DIXIE (4A) Question marks for tradition-laden program 20. MOUNTAIN CREST (4A) Mustangs should be tough in 4A again 21. PINE VIEW (4A) Panther offense led by Gary Crowton should score points 22. PROVO (5A) Bulldog faithful hopeful with all the returning talent 23. WOODS CROSS (5A) Wildcats have been solid program in recent years 24. WEST JORDAN (6A) Jaguar program making strides 25. SPRINGVILLE (5A) Red Devils are tough and want to contend in 5A 26. ALTA (5A) Hawks have a lot of returning offensive talent 27. BOUNTIFUL (5A) Expect Braves to be solid in 2019 28. RIDGELINE (4A) Third-year school making waves in 4A 29. VIEWMONT (5A) Vikings made the 5A quarterfinals last season 30. WEBER (6A) Warriors hope to back up good 2019 sesaon 31. HUNTER (6A) Wolverines hope to challenge Kearns in Region 2

32. DESERT HILLS (4A) How much will new school hurt Desert Hills?

33. RIVERTON (6A) Coach only wants to play with “Riverton kids” 34. LEHI (5A) Coach Ed Larson has improved Pioneer fortunes 35. GREEN CANYON (4A) Third-year school wants to make the big jump in 4A 36. PARK CITY (4A) Miners stunned Sky View in 4A playoffs last season 37. BOX ELDER (5A) Bees know how to sting with stingy defensive schemes 38. WESTLAKE (6A) Thunder faithful should love new RPI system 39. SYRACUSE (6A) Titans hope to bounce back in 2019 40. JUAB (3A) Wasps might be the team to beat in 3A this year 41. STANSBURY (4A) Stallions are very solid program 42. NORTHRIDGE (6A) Knights hope to make some noise in Region 1

Dons are hoping to rattle 5A competition 48. BEAR RIVER (4A) No one looks foward to facing the Bears in 4A 49. MAPLE MOUNTAIN (5A) Can the Eagles make a run in 5A like in 2017?

50. GRANGER (6A) Lancers hoping to contend in Region 2 51. WASATCH (5A) Wasatch could be a spoiler in Region 8 52. BRIGHTON (5A) Bengals far from their glory days 53. BEAVER (2A) Beavers could be the team to beat in 2A 54. LAYTON (6A) Lancers hoping to improve fortunes in 2019 55. SNOW CANYON (4A) Warriors a program that should like new RPI format 56. FARMINGTON (5A) Second-year school made playoffs last year 57. CYPRUS (6A) Pirates hope to back up a very good 2018 season

43. JUAN DIEGO (3A) Returning 3A finalists want to go one step higher

58. TIMPANOGOS (5A) Timberwolves need to be stronger in second half of season

44. SALEM HILLS (5A) Skyhawks hope to soar in Region 8

59. GRANTSVILLE (3A) Cowboys will be a tough team in 3A

45. MORGAN (3A) Some saying Trojans are team to beat in 3A

60. MURRAY (5A) Program is making positive strides

46. SUMMIT ACADEMY (3A) Defending 3A champs want to hold on to crown

61. SKYLINE (5A) Like rival Brighton, program far from its glorious past

47. SPANISH FORK (5A)

62. SOUTH SUMMIT (3A)

Wildcats could be a factor in 3A 63. LOGAN (4A) Grizzly program showing postive signs of life 64. DELTA (3A) Rabbits are always a tough team to beat 65. MOUNTAIN RIDGE (5A) New school in Jordan District should have athletes 66. CEDAR CITY (4A) Dominating rival Canyon View is not enough 67. OGDEN (4A) Tigers hope to back up solid 2018 season 68. MOUNTAIN VIEW (4A) Bruins could surprise in Region 10 69. TOOELE (4A) Buff hoping to upset some folks in 2019 70. WEST (6A) Going up to 6A not exactly what program needed

78. HURRICANE (4A) Tiger program has fallen on some hard times

94. KANAB (2A) Formerly 1A, Cowboys can compete

79. SAN JUAN (3A) Program could be the favorite in Region 12

95. MONTICELLO (2A) Going 2A won’t faze these tough Buckaroos

80. NORTH SANPETE (3A) Hawks want to soar high in 3A ranks

96. ALA (3A) Eagles hoping 2019 is the year the program takes flight

81. GRAND (3A) Red Devils are always a team no one wants to face

97. PAROWAN (2A) Recent success should help Parowan navigate 2A better

82. MANTI (3A) Tradition-laden Templars want to be a force in 3A

98. CARBON (3A) Some wins last year for the Dino program

83. CLEARFIELD (6A) Falcon program has been grounded for a long time

99. RICH (2A) Rebels might struggle against bigger 2A programs

84. RICHFIELD (3A) Wildcats could be a surprise team in 3A

100. ALTAMONT (2A) Longhorns hoping to compete in 2A

85. COPPER HILLS (6A) Grizzly program can’t find wins

101. LAYTON CHRISTIAN (2A) Private school looks to upset 2A apple cart

86. PAYSON (5A) Lions will fight not to be the doormat in Region 8

71. BONNEVILLE (5A) Up in 5A and facing familiar foes

87. ENTERPRISE (2A) Wolves play tough-minded football

72. DUCHESNE (2A) Formerly 1A Eagle program hopes to contend for 2A title

88. COTTONWOOD (5A) Colts have had no buck in recent years

73. TAYLORSVILLE (6A) Warriors were disappointing in 2018

89. CANYON VIEW (4A) Falcons want to continue positive steps

74. CEDAR VALLEY (4A) New program should have some athletes to build around

90. SOUTH SEVIER (3A) Ram program moves up to 3A

102. JUDGE MEMORIAL (4A) Bulldog program in rough, rough times 103. NORTH SUMMIT (2A) Braves hoping to improve gridiron fortunes 104. BEN LOMOND (4A) Scots have a long history of struggling 105. MONUMENT VALLEY (IND.) Program will play teams in 4-corners area 106. PROVIDENCE HALL (IND.) Charter school will play independent schedule

75. CRIMSON CLIFFS (4A) New St. George school will be a gridiron mystery

91. HILLCREST (6A) Being in 6A will be tough on the Huskies

76. MILFORD (2A) Tigers might have been the last 1A state champs

92. UNION (3A) Cougars want to roar in 3A

107. GUNNISON VALLEY (2A) Bulldog program had big issues on and off the field in 2018

93. UINTAH (4A) Quality football keeps evading Vernal program

108. WHITEHORSE (IND.) Raiders hope to get some big wins in 2019

77. MILLARD (2A) Eagle program has a lot of tradition

Looking at 2019 Utah Valley prep football 7,751 total yards and 89 total touchdowns that Orem football will have to replace from 2018:

PUKA NACUA

COOPER LEGAS

Senior WR Puka Nacua had 2,336 receiving yards (103 rec.) and 26 touchdowns in 2018

Senior QB Cooper Legas had 4,338 passing yards (237-of-340), 1,077 rushing yards and 63 total TDs

4 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

Region for reigning supreme Five of the six schools in Region 4 reached the 5A or 6A semifinals in 2018: CORNER CANYON 5A state champs AMERICAN FORK 6A runner-up

LONE PEAK 6A state champs

PL. GROVE 6A semifinals

SKYRIDGE 5A runner-up

TOP 5

High expectations

2019 preseason Utah Valley rankings

BY JARED LLOYD • Daily Herald

LONE PEAK

1 (10-3 in 2018)

The Knights used defense and special teams to win the 6A championship — and should be very good in those areas again.

OREM

2 4 (12-2)

The Tigers lost a number of key performers but don’t expect to take a step back, even being in Class 5A.

SKYRIDGE (11-2)

The Falcons will need to be ready for the Region 4 grind but have the athletes to continue to succeed.

AM. FORK

3 5 (11-3)

The Cavemen feel they should’ve been the 6A champs last fall and are on a mission to get to the top this year.

TIMPVIEW (7-4)

The Thunderbirds weren’t at the level they are used to last season but have a lot of talented returners hungry to take the next step.

2019 Season 5

PREP 1-ON-1

What to expect for Utah Valley high school football in 2019

T

he Daily Herald sports experts Jared Lloyd and Darnell Dickson break down the biggest questions regarding high school football heading into the season:

1. Will Lone Peak or Orem have a better chance at successfully defending their 2018 state title?

LLOYD: I think the Tigers have another impressive football team but I’m going to take Lone Peak. Yes, the Knights lost some significant talent from last year. This squad, however, is used to reloading as well as used to battling the best teams in the 6A year-in and year-out. Lone Peak has seen Bingham and American Fork, and will be ready for Corner Canyon and Skyridge. This team proved in 2018 that it also knows how to rebound from adversity and in a brutal region. That lesson is tremendously valuable when you want to make a run at winning a state championship. The Knight defense is still going to be impressive — and defense wins championships.

DICKSON: It’s true that Orem lost a lot of talent, including the record-setting tandem of Puka Nakua (University of Washington) and Cooper Legas (Utah State), offensive lineman Hunter Hill (Utah State) and defensive playmaker Ethan Slade. The Tigers, who outscored their opponents by a whopping 35 points per game last season, are also moving up to Class 5A this season so the competition will be tougher. But senior linebacker/running back Noah Sewell is the No. 1 recruit in Utah and will dominate on both sides of the ball. Offensive lineman Kingsley Saumataia and quarterback Chase Tautagaloa are budding superstars in waiting.

The Tigers have enough talent to win a third straight state title, even in a higher classification than the previous two. Orem has been trying to move up to 5A for several years, and this season Jeremy Hill and the guys get their wish.

6 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

EVAN COBB, DAILY HERALD

Daily Herald sports reporters Darnell Dickson, left and Jared Lloyd answer the tough questions around Utah County high school football.

2. What do you expect will be the biggest impact of the 2019 reclassification?

DICKSON: Without a doubt, reclassification has made Class 6A the one to watch. Last year’s 6A finalists (Lone Peak and American Fork) as well as last year’s 5A finalists (Corner Canyon and Skyridge) are all in the SAME REGION, along with Pleasant Grove and Westlake. Region 4 has always been a premier league but this year’s matchups are must-see on Friday nights.

LLOYD: It always takes some time to remember just which schools are competing in which region when everything gets moved, but I love that most of the teams in Utah Valley are now going to be competing in three main regions (two regions in Class 5A and one in Class 6A). It’s going to rekindle some great historical rivalries while also adding to the excitement every Friday night. The two schools that are in Class 4A for football (Mountain View and the new Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain) should also prove to be much more competitive in that division.

All in all, I think 2019 high school football will be even more fun because of the way things have been shaped.

3. Do you like the new RPI approach to the state playoffs, and how much do you think it will change things this year?

LLOYD: I have some skepticism, because I’ve never been a fan of

relying so much on what other teams do. A team in a down region might try to get some good teams on their preseason schedule, only to be hurt when those opponents turn out to be down as well. That’s something completely out of their control. That said, I do like that teams who are squaring off in brutal regions (see Region 4) can benefit from playing tough opponents week-in and week-out. The regular season loses a little luster, since every team will make the playoffs, but the tournament will be thrilling.

Everyone will have a chance to make a push.

DICKSON: I think it’s a great move. Other states have been using similar models for years and Utah was kind of dragging its heels with the old school format. Not all regions are created equally but Utah treated them that way. With the the RPI approach, you’ll get a true representation of the strength of the state in the playoffs. The biggest plus for me is more competitive first-round matchups in sports such as basketball, baseball and soccer. I don’t know how it will all play out in football, but I’m interested to follow the process through the schedule.

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Orem running back Noah Sewell (2) hurdles Dixie free safety Harrison Beazer (47) in the 4A football state championship game between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Dixie Flyers held, Nov. 16, 2018, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

4. What players do you think will emerge as the biggest high school football stars in Utah Valley in 2019?

5. What do you see as the biggest benefit of all the offseason work that football players put in to prepare for Friday nights?

DICKSON: I’ve already mentioned Orem’s Noah Sewell, who is a beast. It’s also kind of cool that Corner Canyon is in Region 4 and will travel down to Utah County for games. The Chargers are loaded. Cole Hagen is a terrific quarterback, Josh Wilson (brother of BYU quarterback Zach Wilson) is a Cougar linebacker commit and defensive end Van Fillinger just committed to Texas. Here are some local guys to watch out for on Friday nights: American Fork receiver Devin Downing, Lone Peak safety Nate Ritchie, Skyridge receiver Ty Arrington, Lehi running back Carsen Manookin, Timpanogos running back Rory Ziegra, Timpview defensive back Raider Damuni, Mountain View quarterback Duce Anderson and Maple Mountain quarterback Tyler Nelson.

LLOYD: There are plenty of benefits to a team when players truly buy into the offseason workouts and the hard work necessary to getting ready for the season — but I think the biggest benefit is actually on an individual level. Football is a demanding sport in so many ways: physically, mentally and emotionally. One of the great lessons it teaches is the tremendous importance of personal discipline. It’s not easy for a teenager to find the motivation to get up and go to early morning weight-lifting sessions or do sprints in hot summer weather. But so many of these guys push themselves to do those things anyway. It always pays dividends, even if it isn’t a state championship or a college scholarship. Hard work and discipline brings rewards and I hope every high school football player in Utah Valley recognizes that lesson will be a huge asset for them in everything they do.

LLOYD: Utah Valley lost some unbelievable performers who were seniors in 2018, guys like Cooper Legas and Puka Nacua at Orem, Chase Roberts at American Fork, Michael Daley at Lone Peak, Jayden Clemons at Skyridge — the list can go on and on. There are a few guys that I know will be fantastic on the field this year but I’m going to go with Lone Peak’s Nate Ritchie and Orem’s Noah Sewell as the two I expect the most from. Ritchie did so much for the Knights on defense and special teams on their run to the 6A title, while Sewell has been a big-time playmaker for the Tigers throughout his career. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of guys, particularly Lehi’s Carsen Manookin, Skyridge’s Ioholani Raass, Provo’s Ryan Harward, Timpview’s Sione Moa and Salem Hills’s Jorgen Olsen.

DICKSON: Having had a hand in raising three children, I feel like the biggest benefit from the offseason work is confidence.

Teenagers — especially athletes — put on a good front but they are often insecure and have a hard time believing in themselves.

When they work hard, see progress and get results, they grow in confidence. Those individuals help others on the team grow in confidence as well. Coming together as a team is so important — just look at how Lone Peak put everything together at the right time last season. The Knights got blasted by American Fork during the regular season (51-21) but beat the Cavemen 34-29 in the state title game. That’s how much a team can change when the right pieces fall into place.

2019 Season 7

AMERICAN FORK CAVEMEN 2019 SCHEDULE

the way we end to use it. It was a learning experience and now we want to keep progressing.”

Head coach: Aaron Behm

8/16 at Lehi

7 p.m.

8/23 vs. Timpview

7 p.m.

8/30 at Arbor View (NV)

7 p.m.

9/6

vs. East

7 p.m.

9/13

at Herriman

7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Skyridge

7 p.m.

9/27

at Westlake

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Pleasant Grove

7 p.m.

10/10 at Lone Peak

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Corner Canyon

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “When you have failure, you either don’t talk about it or you talk about it and use it to become better,” Aaron Behm said. “Guys have been talking about how close we were and remembering how we finished.

That comes up a lot and I think that’s a good reminder for us. It pushes us to work to close that gap.”

2018 record: 3-1 in 6A Region 4, 11-3 overall Playoffs: Lost to Lone Peak, 34-29, in 6A championship Players to Watch: Devin Downing (Sr. WR), Kade Wakefield (Sr. TE/LB), Kaleb Ostler (Sr. OL/DL), Aiden Stephenson (Sr. OL), Tanner Holden (Sr. WR/DB), Peyton Wilson (Sr. WR/DB)

A number of the athletes who lead the way during that run have graduated, meaning other guys — leaders like wide receiver Devin Downing and linebacker/tight end Kade Wakefield — now have to set the tone.

Outlook: In most ways of looking at it, 2018 was a spectacular success for the Cavemen as they tied for the region title and went to the 6A title game. Getting second place, however, means there is another level left to attain.

“I tell our senior class that if we four leaders, we are in trouble,” Behm said. “We need all of them to step up and be leaders — and I think we have the guys who can do that.”

He knows the road is going to be challenging for American Fork, so he wants his players not worrying about things they can’t control and instead focusing on just getting a little better every day.

“Having a great year last year but with a rough ending, if you use that the right way it can be the best thing going forward,” head coach Aaron Behm said. “That’s

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8 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

SKYRIDGE FALCONS 2019 SCHEDULE 8/16

vs. Alta

7 p.m.

8/23

at Sky View

7 p.m.

8/30 vs. Sierra Vista (NV)

7 p.m.

9/16

at Orem

7 p.m.

9/20

at American Fork

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Pleasant Grove

7 p.m.

10/3

vs. Lone Peak

7 p.m.

10/10 at Corner Canyon

7 p.m.

10/16 at Westlake

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “In some ways, you can say that the wins and losses prove the success of the program,” JOn Lehman said. “We look at it as the process is the goal. The weight room and conditioning and film study aren’t a means to an end. I want our guys to see that as the whole point of it all, that it is the fun stuff that we get to do to help us grow.”

Head coach: Jon Lehman 2018 record: 5-0 in 5A Region 8, 11-2 overall Playoffs: Lost to Corner Canyon, 31-14, in 5A championship Players to Watch: Ioholani Raass (Sr. DE), Adam Pond (Sr. OL), Dakota Dixon (Sr. OL), Dylan Samuels (Sr. WR), Malae Tanuvasa (Sr. DB) Outlook: After back-to-back appearances in the 5A championship game, the road now gets tougher for the Falcons as they move to Class 6A and join the ultra-competitive Region 4 — but don’t expect that to change anything in the Skyridge program.

“Our focus has never really been on our opponents,” head coach Jon Lehman said.

“It’s always been on our process. We realize in a new classification and in a new region that our depth will be really important.

It’s all hands on deck and our guys know

that that our third and fourth-string guys are going to be critical players for us this year.”

The Falcons sent a number of guys on to play football at the next level but Lehman likes how that opens the door for other guys to grow and excel.

“The No. 1 goal for all of us is to maximize our effectiveness in our role — and not everyone’s role is the same,” Lehman said. “A player may have a similar role on the field last year but have a much different role off the field.”

He believes the key for Skyridge is to develop its own personality for this season and then play to those strengths.

LONE PEAK KNIGHTS Head coach: Bart Brockbank 2018 record: 3-1 in 6A Region 4, 10-3 overall Playoffs: Def. American Fork 34-29 in 6A title game Players to Watch: Nate Richie (Sr. DB), Keegan Nita (Sr. LB), Jared Fotu (Sr. DE), Trajan Hansen (Sr. WR), Shawn Wood (Sr. WR), Carson Smith (Sr. OL) Outlook: Last year Lone Peak found its groove at the right time and rolled through the 6A playoffs to the championship game, where it outlasted American Fork to win the school’s second state football title.

Even with a lot of talent and experience returning, the challenge to repeat is a big one for the Knights.

“We’ve talked to the kids a lot about staying humble,” Brockbank said. “We’re starting at the bottom. It’s not one of those things where were defending champs and we come back and have the exact same mojo we had last year. We have to start on the bottom rung. Even if we have returners, we still have holes to fill.”

The Knights should be sound defensively. De-

fensive back Nate Richie (6-foot-3 200 Sr.) is one of the most versatile players in the state and one the most recruited as well. Linebackers Keegan Nita (6-0 225 Sr.) and Jared Fotu (6-1 225 Sr.) are returning starters who should have good senior years and John Henry Daley (6-4 205 Jr.) is an emerging defensive star.

2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 vs. Timpview

7 p.m.

8/23 at Jordan

7 p.m.

8/31 at Narbonne (CA)

7 p.m.

Carson Smith (6-4 225 Sr.) will anchor the offensive line but Lone Peak will be looking to a new quarterback to fill Braden Siri’s shoes and new running backs to replace Masen Wake (1,163 yards, nine TD’s rushing) and Kobe Freeman.

9/6

7 p.m.

Lone Peak’s route to a repeat is going to be bumpy since Region 4 is absolutely loaded.

“The key for this team is reaching a unity early,” Brockbank said. “We achieved that at the end of last season. We had a good spring and summer. The kids have been good at focusing on their own jobs and helping other guys do their jobs. It’s really been one of the most grueling summers we’ve ever had. The leadership that returned has been very vocal and leading by example. Our leadership is very unique. In December they were asking to get in the weight room and that attitude has permeated through the whole team.”

vs. Farmington

9/14 vs. Bishop Gorman (NV) 7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Westlake

7 p.m.

9/27 at Corner Canyon

7 p.m.

10/3 at Skyridge

7 p.m.

10/10 vs. American Fork

7 p.m.

10/16 at Pleasant Grove

7 p.m.

2019 Season

9

PLEASANT GROVE VIKINGS Head coach: Mark Wootton 2018 record: 1-3 in 6A Region 4, 8-5 overall Playoffs: Lost to Lone Peak, 29-0, in 5A semifinals Players to Watch: Matt Smith (Sr. S), Jaedyn Maldonado (Sr. DB/RB), Spencer Tauteoli (Jr. LB/RB), Wyatt Dawe (Jr. OL/DL), Philip Boban (Sr. OL/DL) Outlook: The Vikings proved the value of being battle-tested in 2018 as they emerged from Region 4 and upset East in the first round of the 6A playoffs, eventually reaching the semifinals.

“The kids really came a long ways,” head coach Mark Wootton said. “They worked hard to get there, so it was nice to see. We look to take the kids we have here and develop them. It’s not easy but

2019 SCHEDULE

when you do that they have the chance to be competitive.”

There are many gaps that need to be filled for Pleasant Grove heading into 2019 but Wootton likes the direction his team is going.

“They put in the time and when you do that, you end up having pretty good team,” Wootton said. “I think the kids are going to play. This summer things have been pretty competitive.

The kids have done what is required to be successful but now they need to go produce on the field.”

He believes that early success will make a big difference in helping the Vikings gel together as a group and fire on all cylinders heading into league play.

8/16 vs. Riverton

7 p.m.

8/23 at Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

8/30 at Jordan

7 p.m.

9/6

at Viewmont

7 p.m.

9/13

vs. Madison (ID)

7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Corner Canyon

7 p.m.

9/27

at Skyridge

7 p.m.

10/4

at American Fork

7 p.m.

10/10 vs. Westlake

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Lone Peak

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “We’ve gotten a lot bigger and stronger in the offseason,” Mark Wootton said. “Guys have worked and will have a chance to start when they haven’t in the past. They are excited and enthusiastic. That work is huge.”

WESTLAKE THUNDER 2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 vs. Woods Cross

7 p.m.

8/23 at Provo

7 p.m.

8/30 at Hunter

7 p.m.

9/6

vs. Herriman

7 p.m.

9/13

at South O’Brien (IA) 7 p.m.

9/20 at Lone Peak

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. American Fork

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Corner Canyon

7 p.m.

10/10 at Pleasant Grove

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Skyridge

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “The offseason has been a straight grind for us,” senior Kale Anderson said. “We’ve been focusing on it, working since March, going to get ready for the season. We are looking to change things here. We are tired of losing, so we are here every day putting in the work, doing what we need to do so when the season comes around we can handle.”

10 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

Head coach: Louis Wong 2018 record: 0-4 in 6A Region 4, 3-7 overall Playoffs: None Players to Watch: Jett Vance (Sr. WR/DB), James Ballard (Sr. WR), Kale Anderson (Sr. LB), Isaac Allen (Sr. WR)

“There was a difference last year but now we are stepping up. We have good competition out there, so I’m excited to see how we look against them. It takes hard work and dedication but those things will show on the field.”

This isn’t going to be the biggest team in the state, so the Thunder hope to counter any disadvantages with effort.

Outlook: It’s been tough times for the Thun“If we compete with speed and effort, we can der in Region 4 over the years but Westlake isn’t moving for now — so the players believe beat bigger teams,” senior James Ballard it is up to them to rise to the challenge. said. “We’ve really had people buy in. We’ve had people practicing together since there “We are changing the was snow on the field.” culture this year,” seWestlake has seen promising signs nior Jett Vance said. during summer camps and is looking forward to seeing the overall payoff when the 2019 season rolls around.

LEHI PIONEERS Head coach: Ed Larson 2018 record: 3-2 in 5A Region 6, 5-6 overall Playoffs: Lost to Jordan, 56-28, in 5A first round Players to Watch: Carsen Manookin (Sr. RB), Jacob Vasquez (Sr. LB), McKay Wall (Sr. WR), Josiah Westover (Jr. TE/DE), Ryder Hatch (Sr. DL), Tyler Ehat (Sr. LB) Outlook: After their brilliant run to the top of the 5A ranks two years ago, Lehi went through a rebuilding year in 2018 as it finished with a losing record. The Pioneers are determined that won’t happen again in 2019.

“I have a really good group of kids,” head coach Ed Larson said. “Just like every year, we are trying to figure out how to get the chemistry of this group together. I’ve had teams that had great talent

2019 SCHEDULE but didn’t perform well because of the chemistry and vice versa. That’s the exciting thing as a coach is to try to create that chemistry so they come together and fight for each other.”

Larson believes that this group right now is right behind the top tier in Class 5A but is optimistic that it can continue to improve.

“We’re not quite there but I think we are above average,” Larson said. “I think that is realistically where we can be but if we can be healthy, then we can see what we can do with these guys.”

Lehi has some tough stretches during the season, so depth and consistency are going to be vital as the Pioneers look to weather the storms.

8/16 vs. American Fork

7 p.m.

8/23 vs. Crimson Hills (WA) 7 p.m.

8/31 at Century (ID)

4 p.m.

9/6

vs. Mountain Ridge

7 p.m.

9/12

at Timpanogos

7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Provo

7 p.m.

10/4 at Timpview

7 p.m.

10/10 at Taylorsville

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Orem

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “A year ago we had a scheduling mixup and didn’t have an offseason lifting class,” Ed Larson said.

“I think that was a direct reflection of what happened in the season. We couldn’t get the team lifting together like we have this year. We are hoping for better things since these boys have been lifting together as a group since January. I think it will pay dividends.

When you get to the playoffs, strength is huge. If guys buy in to the weight room, you can equalize a lot of things.”

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2019 Season

11

WORKING HARD

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Lone Peak Knights senior linebacker Keegan Nitta poses for a portrait before preseason practice on July 30, at Lone Peak High School.

Methods differ but Utah Valley prep football requires tremendous effort to be ready for game day

I

n 10 regular-season high school football games and one state playoff game, the maximum amount of actual game time (not counting overtimes) an athlete can be on the field is just 528 minutes.

That’s less than nine total hours, folks — barely longer than an average work day at the office.

Sure, some teams will tack on another hour or two by making deep runs in the playoffs but the

reality is that every minute on the field is precious.

That’s why a huge number of local high school football players put in more hours than that in just one week in the offseason.

When you think about lifting weights, doing conditioning work, watching film, working on execution, everything — that’s a lot to do for such a small window of playing time.

But every player and coach knows just how important it is.

“It’s not just about getting

12 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

better yourself,” Provo senior linebacker Mason Cobb said. “It’s about committing to something that most people don’t want to commit to. High school football is a team sport, so you build a bond and your brothers can trust you. When you lift and work hard every day, it shows.”

Much of the exertion and effort that the athletes invest in their craft isn’t done in the spotlight.

“Nothing comes easy,” Lone Peak senior linebacker Keegan

Nitta said. “If you want to be good at something, you have to put in the work when others aren’t watching.”

While the basics are the same at virtually every school — lifting, running, film study, etc. — the methods, goals and results vary from program to program and individual to individual.

Building the team The main responsibility for the coaches at any team is to get the

best 11 guys on the field at all times. That’s why they put so much work into giving the players opportunities to improve themselves.

“We talk about the process of building champions and what every day should look like,” Skyridge head coach Jon Lehman said.

“If we bring all of our energy and passion into what we are doing right now, then that’s a goal in itself. That’s fun for us. That focus has allowed us to keep our perspective in the right place.”

It might be easy for a team that has brought home a first-place title the year before to plateau but the two defending state champions — Orem won in Class 4A and Lone Peak won in Class 6A in 2018 — say they understand that psychological danger.

“When you win a state championship, that’s awesome — but a couple of weeks later you have to forget about it,” Lone Peak senior safety Nate Ritchie said. “You live it up a little bit but then you have to remember the feelings and get back to work so you can do it again.”

Orem head coach Jeremy Hill said the Tigers hired Mike Stroshine to be in charge of their strength and conditioning and his expertise has made a difference.

“He does a phenomenal job of not only getting kids to their peak weight and peak power ratio but we also don’t have a lot of injuries throughout the season,” Hill said. “In the last two years heading into the state championship, we’ve only had one starter who wasn’t able to go. That was key for us.”

Other programs who are building for the future rely on offseason training to help the young athletes get more confidence so the team can compete at a higher level.

“It’s about the kids believing in themselves,” Spanish Fork head coach Preston Parrish said.

“The only thing as a coach you can ultimately do is love them and support them. They are coming out and playing. They want to have a good time and be successful.”

sports has huge physical benefits for high school athletes, but Pleasant Grove head coach Mark Wootton, who has been coaching for three decades, said he has seen how much doing other activities can help a football player.

“A lot of my success has been based on having kids play multiple sports,” Wootton said.

“In this offseason, our baseball and wrestling teams took state. Now we have 10 state champions playing football so we’ve got people who have done it. In the offseason, the more they compete, the better.”

Personal improvement

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Maple Mountain Golden Eagles senior linebacker Grady Nelson poses for a portrait during preseason practice on July 29.

Savoring the results ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Orem Golden Tigers senior defensive end Maka Vaka’afi poses for a portrait on July 22.

Benefits from diversification Maple Mountain head coach Brad Burtenshaw explained that he tells his players they have to have three traits to force the coaches to put them on the field: Effort, understanding and performance.

If any of those are missing, then the playing time might go to someone else — but he pointed out that doesn’t mean an athlete has to be solely committed to football.

“Tyler Nelson, our quarterback, is so busy,” Burtenshaw said. “The day football is over, he’s starting on basketball and then he’s playing baseball in the spring. With a kid like that who is a great athlete, we are willing to share him and take what we can get.”

Studies have shown that playing multiple

While the improvement of the team as a whole is a good goal, the athletes say they see a lot of personal growth as well.

The first, of course, is being better prepared for the season.

“It’s always important to get in the weight room to make sure you are ready for the whole season,” Nitta said. “When it comes, it comes quick. Individually you are helping out your team by showing you care for them and want to be better for them.”

But the individual development goes beyond the gridiron.

“I’ve seen so many benefits,” Provo senior wide receiver Ryan Harward said. “It helps prevent injury. It helps you be able to stay on the field — and I go both ways as well. You are going to feel exhausted no matter what but it helps you stay in the game longer. Then there is the discipline that it develops, which hasn’t just helped me on the football field but also everywhere else. Doing it helps with schoolwork and being an example, with everything.”

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Provo Bulldogs senior linebacker Mason Cobb poses for a portrait during preseason practice on July 22.

Even with all the good that comes from working out, there is no doubt that they are pumped to get on the field for the actual games. That’s when knowing that everyone has worked hard impacts the game physically and psychologically.

“The glue that creates team chemistry happens in the weight room,” Lehi head coach Ed Larson said. “There is nothing like seeing your teammate sweat — and sometimes bleed — in the weight room. There is a direct translation to Friday night where we have to stop them or get the first down. A guy is looking next to him and there is something powerful about knowing that teammate was there in January.”

The players know who they can trust because of the commitment they’ve seen throughout the year.

“When people don’t put the time in, it feels like you have to do more,” Cobb said. “With guys buying in, you can trust that you can just do your job and they will do theirs. Then we can come out and play our best. I tell guys not to take it for granted. It will pay off.”

2019 Season 13

TIMPVIEW THUNDERBIRDS 2019 SCHEDULE 8/16

at Lone Peak

7 p.m.

8/23

at American Fork

7 p.m.

8/30

vs. Provo

7 p.m.

9/6

vs. Kuhuku (HI)

7 p.m.

9/13

at Mountain Ridge

7 p.m.

9/20

at Cyprus

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Lehi

7 p.m.

10/4

at Orem

7 p.m.

10/10 at Alta

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Timpanogos

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “We work on educating the kids on why they are doing what they are doing for everything from our workout program to play calling,” Andy Stokes said.

14 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

Head coach: Andy Stokes 2018 record: 3-2 in 5A Region 7, 7-4 overall Playoffs: Lost to Roy 20-14 in 5A quarters Players to Watch: Raider Damuni (Jr. DB), Sione Moa (Sr. QB/RB), Targhee Lambson (Jr. RB), Carsen Ryan (So. TE), Tylor Stubb (Sr. OL).

Outlook: Andy Stokes’ first year at the helm of one of Utah’s most successful football programs had its ups and downs. The T-Birds finished third in Region 7 in 2018 but pulled off a huge 35-10 upset of Highland on the road in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Timpview was eventually eliminated by Roy 20-14 in the quarterfinals.

“We’re replacing 90 percent of our offensive starters and production, so we will be young,” Stokes said. “The athletes are working hard and having fun. De-

fensively, we return seven starters. So we are also quite young on defense but we’ve have made some good strides as a team.”

Stokes doesn’t hesitate to point out that the strength of this year’s team will be on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive back Raider Damuni (6-2 190), just a junior, will be the star of the state’s 2021 recruiting class and can play multiple positions. Defensive end Logan Fano (6-4 205 Sr.) and defensive tackle Solo Langi (5-10 285 Sr.) will create havoc for the T-Birds.

The backfield is in good shape with Sione Moa (5-10 196 Sr.), who rushed for 700 yards in 2018, returning, along with Targhee Lambson (5-11 203 Jr.), who rushed for 618 yards. Those two players will continue to bruise up defenders carrying the ball. Sophomore Carsen Ryan (6-3 220) is budding star at tight end. Senior Tylor Stubb (6-4 285 Sr.) is turning heads on the offensive line.

Stokes said the most important way he and his staff build their program is to make sure they are on the same page as the athletes.

OREM TIGERS 2019 SCHEDULE 8/15 at Corner Canyon

7 p.m.

8/23 at Bishop Gorman (NV) 7 p.m.

8/30 at Skyline (ID)

8 p.m.

9/6

at Alta

7 p.m.

9/13

vs. Skyridge

7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Timpanogos

7 p.m.

10/4 vs. Timpview

7 p.m.

10/10 at Mountain Ridge

7 p.m.

10/16 at Lehi

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “I don’t know if people realize how difficult it is to win one state championship,” Jeremy Hill said. “People see that a team has a lot of talent and thinks it must be easy, but it doesn’t matter how much talent you have. The team with the most talent doesn’t always win. Everyone knows who you are and so we’ve got to better. We have to execute better, be more disciplined.”

Head coach: Jeremy Hill 2018 record: 5-0 in 4A Region 10, 12-2 overall Playoffs: Defeated Dixie, 60-13, in 4A championship

Hill said. “We have young guys who rotated in last year who will step in and fill those shoes. We’ll look at the defense to keep us in games, especially early in the year.”

Even though the offense is without some tremendous performers from 2018, Hill is confident that it will hit its stride particularly if it can avoid getting key guys hurt.

Players to Watch: Noah Sewell (Sr. LB/RB), Buju Tuisavura (Sr. DB/RB), Kingsley Suamataia (Jr. OL) Outlook: Opponents might be hoping the Tigers will be down after they won back-to-back 4A titles — but that isn’t likely to be the case, especially on defense.

“In a school of only about 1,000 kids, it’s always about staying healthy,” Hill said.

“This group has to come in and realize that the successes of the older brothers are their successes. We’ve got to come in and get 1 percent better every day. We want to be playing our best football in November.”

“We lost a couple of kids on the defensive side of the ball that we will definitely miss but for the most part the core of the defense is back,” head coach Jeremy

TIMPANOGOS TIMBERWOLVES Head coach: Daniel Tervort 2018 record: 1-4 in 5A Region 8, 6-4 overall Players to Watch: Rory Ziegra (Sr. RB), Kyle Roundy (Sr. OL), Brock Parker (Sr. OL), Elijah Kratzer (Sr. LB), Dennis Sa’u (Jr. DL), T.J. Sa’u (So. DL), Mosese Livalu (So. DL).

Outlook: Timpanogos has been able to put preseason wins on the scoreboard under Tevort but have struggled to get victories in league play.

Timpanogos has to run a pretty stiff gauntlet in Region 7, which includes last year’s Class 4A champion Orem as well as perennial power Timpview.

but he has graduated. The new signal caller is junior Bryant Sakamaki.

2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 at Farmington

7 p.m.

“We have a new quarterback so we’re trying to keep things simple for him,” Tervort said.

“Last year we could go into the deep parts of the playbook (with Sweeten) but we’ve got back to basics so Bryant can be comfortable.”

8/23 vs. Mountain View

7 p.m.

8/30 vs. Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

9/6

at Woods Cross

7 p.m.

9/12

vs. Lehi

7 p.m.

Sakamaki will likely handoff or throw to senior running back Rory Ziegra (5-10 165) a lot.

Last season, the speedy Ziegra totaled 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

9/20 at Orem

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Alta

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Mountain Ridge

7 p.m.

“Rory ran all over the place last season so he’ll have to be a huge piece for this year, carry the load and open things up for the other guys,” Tervort said.Kyle Roundy (6-0 “We’re excited to see some guys grow and progress as young guys can do,” Tervort said. 235 Sr.) will start at left tackle for the second “We have quite a few guys who played for us straight season and senior Brock Parker (6-4 on defense last year and similar numbers on 335) has made big strides this summer on the offense. We’re trying to get them to be com- line as well. fortable and help them to understand what On defense, Elijah Kratzer (5-7 165 Sr.) we want to do as a team.” started at middle linebacker last season and led the team in tackles. The brother tandem Quarterback Gabe Sweeten accounted for of Dennis and T.J. Sa’u will need to step up at more than 2,300 yards passing and running defense end for the Timberwolves. last season as well as 28 total touchdowns,

10/10 at Skyline

7 p.m.

10/16 at Timpview

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “We’ve been preaching to these guys that they don’t have to be the best team on Day 1 or Game 1, we just have to get better every day,” Daniel Tervort said. “It’s going to be tough, but we are going to compete and get better and hopefully win some games along the way. We want to catch our stride so we can make a little run at the end.”

2019 Season

15

PROVO BULLDOGS 2019 SCHEDULE

Head coach: Tony McGeary

8/16

vs. Logan

7 p.m.

2018 record: 3-2 in 5A Region 8, 4-6 overall

8/23

vs. Westlake

7 p.m.

8/30

at Timpview

7 p.m.

Playoffs: Lost to Viewmont, 17-14, in 5A first round

9/6

vs. Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

9/20

at Springville

7 p.m.

9/27

at Wasatch

7 p.m.

10/5

at Salem Hills

7 p.m.

10/10 vs. Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Payson

7 p.m.

Players to Watch: Mason Cobb (Sr. LB/TE), Ryan Harward (WR/DB), Luke Haslem (Sr. QB), Dallin Havea (Jr. RB), James Tomasi (Sr. OL/DL), Sione Tuha (LB/WR)

Outlook: Is this the year things really fall into place for Bulldog football? Head coach Tony McGeary thinks it’s very possible.

“Of my six years here at Provo, we’ve got more of our positions filled than ever,” McGeary said. “We’re very balanced offensively and defensively. We were pretty young last year, so several of our players are returning starters.

We have pretty good depth that we haven’t had in the past.”

This Provo squad is hungry to not only win in the regular season but are determined to have that carry over into the playoffs.

Value of the work: “This group has worked harder in the weight room than any group we have ever had,” Tony McGeary said. “I think we are better conditioned than we have ever been. We are hoping that all of our training and physical toughness we have developed in the offseason will translate onto the field and help build mental toughness. We want to rise to the occasion in the big games.”

“These guys want to get past the first round,” McGeary said.

“That’s kind of been our nemesis over the years. We really have the resolve to get that accomplished this year.”

He said the key for this Bulldog squad is to take the games as they come but to be ready for the challenges.

SPRINGVILLE RED DEVILS Head coach: Willy Child 2018 record: 2-3 in 5A Region 8, 6-6 overall Playoffs: Lost to Olympus 28-3 in 5A quarterfinals Players to Watch: Ishmael Mavae (Sr. OL), Tanu Ahhing (Sr. OL), Nate Conrad (Sr. OL), Nick Thorpe (Sr. OL), Payton Murphy (Sr. QB), Austin Mortensen (Sr. WR), Trae Hillstead (Sr. WR).

Outlook: With Willy Child at the helm in Springville, the Red Devils don’t change a lot.

Child is excited to see what senior quarterback Payton Murphy, who threw for 17 touchdowns as a junior, can add to his game.

8/16

vs. Dixie

7 p.m.

8/23

at Skyline

7 p.m.

8/30

vs. Bountiful

7 p.m.

“He’s a returner, a winner and a competitor,” Child said.

9/6

at Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

9/13

vs. Provo

7 p.m.

Murphy will have a pair of creative senior receivers to throw to in Austin Mortensen and Trae Hillstead.

9/20

at Payson

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Salem Hills

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

Defensively, Child said he loves his defensive backfield and will count on a pair of stout defensive ends — Sione and Kevin Child emphasizes ball control and defense, Kolomalu — to lock down the opposing ofand that usually puts Springville in the thick fenses. of the playoff race.

“For us it always starts with running the “It’s been a great summer,” Child said. ball and stopping the run,” Child said.

“We worked hard and had a great team “I know everybody says that, but to be camp down in Cedar City. We have guys successful we need to control the clock, with experience on both offense and derun the ball efficiently and play good defense, so we’ve got a good chance to be fense.” successful.”

Springville will compete in Class 5A Region Four offensive linemen – seniors Ishmael 8.

Mavae, Tanu Ahhing, Nate Conrad and Nick 16 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

2019 SCHEDULE

Thorpe — will anchor the line and plow the road for the running game.

10/16 at Wasatch

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “Our guys work hard because of the tradition,” Child said. “The guys who came before were successful. The guys see that and that’s where our success comes from. We’re not a team that goes out and scores 60 points in a game. We have to grind it out and be physical. That starts in the weight room and goes along with our tradition and culture.”

2019 SCHEDULE 8/16

vs. Cedar Valley

7 p.m.

8/23

vs. Pleasant Grove

7 p.m.

8/30

at Timpanogos

7 p.m.

9/6

vs. Springville

7 p.m.

9/13

at Payson

7 p.m.

9/20

vs. Wasatch

7 p.m.

9/27

at Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

10/4

at Cottonwood

7 p.m.

10/10 at Provo

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Salem Hills

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “Attendance doesn’t necessarily equal accomplishment and that sometimes is a lesson kids have to learn,” Brad Burtenshaw said. “When you come and work out, it guarantees a better opportunity. If you are stronger and faster, you have a better opportunity to earn playing time. Just coming and standing in the corner of the weight room doesn’t mean you became a better player.”

MAPLE MOUNTAIN GOLDEN EAGLES Head coach: Brad Burtenshaw 2018 record: 2-3 in 4A Region 10, 4-8 overall

to put together protection and a run game.

That’s the focus for us going in.”

Playoffs: Lost to Roy, 40-0, in 5A first round Players to Watch: Tyler Nelson (Jr. QB), Kyson Hall (Jr. WR), Rueben Rose (RB/LB), Spencer Marchant (OL/DL), Grady Nelson (Sr. LB), Cameron Simons (Jr. DL) Outlook: The objective for the Golden Eagles is to build around the pieces they have in place while new guys step up to fill any voids.

“We are trying to put together the best group we can at each position with some depth and experience,” head coach Brad Burtenshaw said. “Just like for everyone, that is the goal as we get to August.”

Maple Mountain has some athletes who have shown they can perform on the field but this is a group needs to improve in the trenches.

“We have to develop our offensive and defensive lines,” Burtenshaw said. “I think we have some good skill kids but I feel like that it will be important for the guys up front to come together. We have a solid group coming back but going into Week No. 1 you have to be able

PAYSON LIONS Head coach: Derek Campbell 2018 record: 1-4 in 4A Region 10, 4-6 overall

the game and that’s all you can do,” head coach Derek Campbell said. “We are excited for the season, excited to get better and improve our program.”

Players to Watch: Jarrett Christensen (Sr. TE/DE), Cooper Ott (Sr. RB/LB), Jeff Durrant Payson has a number of holes to fill but (Jr. OL/DL), Tyler Bott (Sr. LB/TE), Kaden Todd Campbell believes this is a collection of ath(SR. WR/LB), Tanner Moss (Jr. DB) letes who have solid potential.

Outlook: As the Lions return to Class 5A, “I think for us right now we have to have a chip it’s likely they will be the underdogs on our shoulder, have the in most of their games this attitude that we year. But this Payson can play even team is hungry being a small to surprise school in the people. football sense,” “We’re half-exCampbell cited about it said. and half-worried about it but you play

2019 SCHEDULE 8/16

vs. Ben Lomond

7 p.m.

8/23

at Manti

7 p.m.

8/30

at Richfield

7 p.m.

9/6

at Salem Hills

7 p.m.

9/13

vs. Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

9/20

vs. Springville

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Mountain Ridge

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Wasatch

7 p.m.

10/10 at Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

10/16 at Provo

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “We preach the weight room, getting in shape, being ready and preparing,” Derek Campbell said. “We’ve had a pretty good group turn out for our summer workouts.

We say the best thing we can do is get bigger, faster, stronger and learn the assignments. There is always the motivation to get better. Hopefully they have confidence because they’ve put in the work.”

2019 Season

17

WASATCH WASPS and UNLV head coach. Linebacker coach Stanton Akana moves into the defensive 2018 record: 2-3 in 5A Region 8, 6-5 overall coordinator role.

Playoffs: Lost to Maple Mountain 34-31 in “We return four of our five offensive lineRegion 8 play-in game men from last year’s team, so with a year in the weight room and growth along with the Players to Watch: Parker Quinton (Sr. QB), experience they received last season, we Zak Thacker (Sr. RB), Jay Nelson (Sr. OL), have high hopes for our O-line this year,” Ammon Tuttle (Sr. DB), Haygen Brisk (Jr. OL), Wasatch coach Steve Coburn said.

Braxton Turner (Jr. OL), Seth Heaton (Jr. OL).

2019 SCHEDULE

Head coach: Steve Coburn

Outlook: There are a lot of new pieces to the Wasatch football team in 2019.

Besides breaking in a new quarterback, the Wasps also have a new offensive and defensive coordinator for the first time in three years.

The good news is that senior Parker Quinton picked up valuable experience late in the season after three-year starting quarterback Brock Cloward went down with an injury, including a three-touchdown effort in a 34-31 loss to Maple Mountain in a Region 8 play-in game.

The new offensive coordinator is a familiar name for Utah sports fans — it’s Mike Sanford, the former Utah offensive coordinator

8/16

at Park City

7 p.m.

8/23

at Mountain Crest

7 p.m.

8/30

vs. Viewmont

7 p.m.

9/6

at Centennial (NV)

7 p.m.

9/13

at Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

Braxton Turner (6-foot-2 282 Jr.), Jay Nelson (6-0 218 Sr.), Seth Heaton (6-1 270 Jr.) and Hagen Brisk (6-0 290 Jr.) will plow the road for Quinton and returning starter Zak Thacker at running back.

9/20

at Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Provo

7 p.m.

10/4

at Payson

7 p.m.

10/10 vs. Salem Hills

7 p.m.

Coburn said he and his coaching staff have worked hard to build a close-knit team through competition.

10/16 vs. Springville

7 p.m.

“We started a program where the kids are split into colonies with colony leaders selected among the players,” he said. “The colonies are built to compete with each other over the course of the entire year in order to have the players encourage each other to get in the weight room and continue to improve year round.”

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SALEM HILLS SKYHAWKS 2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 vs. Mountain Crest

7 p.m.

8/23 vs. Fremont

7 p.m.

8/30 vs. Juab

7 p.m.

9/6

vs. Payson

7 p.m.

9/13

at Highland

7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

9/27

at Springville

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Provo

7 p.m.

10/10 at Wasatch

7 p.m.

10/16 at Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

Head coach: Harry Schwenke 2018 record: 3-2 in 4A Region 10, 5-5 overall Playoffs: Lost to Park City 28-24 in 5A first round Players to Watch: John Nelson (Sr. OL), Derek Rolfe (Sr. OL), Derek Burton (Sr. OL), James Letoa (Jr. OL), Jarret Elmer (Jr. QB), Reid Johnson (Sr. WR), Jordan Ware (Sr. RB), Sam Hughes (Sr. LB), James Meuter (Sr. DL), Johnny Draper (Jr. DB).

Outlook: Salem Hills is trying to break out of a rut.

The Skyhawks are 22-22 over the past four seasons, including 5-5 last year. The process will be harder this year since Salem Hills has moved from 4A to 5A and will compete in Region 8.

on junior Jarret Elmer (5-11 175) at quarterback to carry a similar load, with receiver Reid Johnson (5-10 160), who had 20 catches last season, leading the receivers. Senior Jordan Ware, who averaged 5.6 yards on 35 carries last season, will try to take on some of the the load at running back.

Defensively, Burton and Nelson will likely go both ways and play defensive line. Leading tackler Sam Hughes (5-10 195 Sr.) is a threeyear starter at linebacker and will get help from Jake Meuter (6-1 200 Sr.), who contributed six sacks last season. Junior Blayz Finai (5-11 245) will be a road block at defensive tackle and junior Johnny Draper will have a lot of responsibility in the defensive backfield.

The good news is that Coach Harry Schwenke, now in his third season, returns 15 starters including four on the offensive line. Seniors John Nelson, Derek Rolfe, Derek Burton and junior James Leota will anchor the offensive front. Jorgen Olsen, who combined for 1,700 passing and running along with 16 touchdowns, has moved on. The Skyhawks will lean

SPANISH FORK DONS Head coach: Preston Parrish 2018 record: 4-1 in 4A Region 10, 7-4 overall Playoffs: Lost to Dixie, 31-20, in 4A quarterfinals Players to Watch: Jacob Moore (Sr. WR/LB), Kaden Holt (Sr. QB/ DB), Corbin Harrison (SR. WR), Gabe Oldham (Sr. TE/DE), Bryndon Cabreros (Sr. DE/RB) Outlook: With the graduation of a tremendous senior class, the Dons are going to be turning a new page when they step onto the field in 2019.

“We’ve had pretty good teams in the last two years and overall I feel really good about what we’ve done,” head coach Preston Parrish

said. “You always want to go to that next level — but we lost basically 30 seniors and 21 of them started. We have guys who played varsity and have experience but weren’t starters.”

It will be vital for Spanish Fork to have leaders emerge who can rally the team and maintain the same high level of performance.

“That will dictate where we are as a team,” Parrish said. “The sooner that the players understand varsity speed and are ready to go, then we will be pretty competitive. If it takes awhile, then we will see how it goes.”

Parrish wants to see his players go out with confidence and know they can be a good team from the start.

2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 vs. Cedar

7 p.m.

8/23 at Cedar Valley

7 p.m.

8/30 vs. Cyprus

7 p.m.

9/6

at Provo

7 p.m.

9/13

vs. Wasatch

7 p.m.

9/20 at Salem Hills

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

10/4

at Springville

7 p.m.

10/10 vs. Payson

7 p.m.

10/16 at Mountain Ridge

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “Every kid has their own situation and personality,” Preston Parrish said. “Sometimes you put kids in competitive situations and build kids that way. Sometimes you leave kids alone and let them figure things out for themselves. Kids have to find their own confidence and see what they need to work on.”

2019 Season

19

AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY EAGLES 2019 SCHEDULE 8/16

vs. Carbon

7 p.m.

8/23

at Ben Lomond

7 p.m.

8/30

vs. Emery

7 p.m.

9/6

at San Juan

7 p.m.

9/13

at Judge Memorial

7 p.m.

9/20

at North Sanpete

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Delta

7 p.m.

10/4

at Juab

7 p.m.

10/11

vs. Manti

7 p.m.

10/18 vs. Union

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “There is a lot more investment in strength and conditioning then there has been before,” Nate Porter said. “We stress to the kids that when we only have 45 kids, some have to go both ways. Injuries happen when you aren’t conditioned or strong enough to handle it. This is probably the most I’ve seen them step it up in all the time I’ve been here.”

Head coach: Nate Porter 2018 record: 2-3 in 2A North, 4-6 overall Playoffs: Lost to South Sevier, 55-24, in 2A first round Players to Watch: Fielding Morley (Sr. RB/ DB), Jacob Negus (Sr. QB/DB), Jarius Searle (Sr. DE), Marcus Kemp (Jr. WR/DB)

down, so Porter said the big emphasis during the offseason was improving on the defensive side of the ball.

“The kids know that the 11 best tacklers are going out on the field,” he said. “I don’t care about who they are or what their ability is. If they can’t make a tackle, they aren’t going to play. That is our big theme.”

Outlook: Even though the Eagles are moving up a classification (from Class 2A to 3A), this is a team that has some impressive pieces and is primed for great things this season.

“We have quite a bit of our offense returning this year,” head coach Nate Porter said. “Our quarterback has been here for three years, Fielding Morley put on 15 pounds of muscle and I have two kids who will be the fastest players when they step on the field. We know our offense can score when they step on the field.”

ALA had one of the best offenses in the state in 2018 but had a tough time slowing opponents

It’s football season!

Good luck to all of our 2019 football players!

Rick B. Ainge, cPA C E RT I F I E D P U B L I C AC C O U N TA N T 204 East, 400 North, Suite B, Salem Ut

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MOUNTAIN VIEW BRUINS 2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 at Union

7 p.m.

8/23 at Timpanogos

7 p.m.

8/30 vs. Taylorsville

7 p.m.

9/6

vs. Ogden

7 p.m.

9/13

at Uintah

7 p.m.

9/20 at Ben Lomond

7 p.m.

9/27

vs. Park City

7 p.m.

10/4

at Stansbury

7 p.m.

10/10 at Cedar Valley

7 p.m.

10/16 vs. Tooele

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “We need to prepare our bodies as much as we can so we’re not getting those injuries,” Anderson said. “Lifting and working with their teammates and their brothers, seeing them put in the work and to know they put in the same work this summer, that’s huge.”

As a junior, Duce Anderson (6-foot-1 208) accounted for 25 touchdowns (nine rushing, 16 2018 record: 2-3 in 4A Region 10, 5-6 overall passing) in his second season as a starter.

Playoffs: Lost to Stansbury 57-43 in 4A first “He’s got a lot of experience and he knows round the offense,” Tyler Anderson said.

Players to Watch: Duce Anderson (Sr. QB), The Bruins will go with junior McKay Strauss Riley Horrocks (Sr. OL), Alex Stutz (Sr. OL), (5-10 180 Jr.) at running back and David McKay Strauss (Jr. RB), Elwood Afalava (Sr. DE), Hare (5-11 180 Sr.) anchors the receiving Nesty Montfleury (Sr. DB), Liam Hone (Jr. LB). corps. Riley Horrocks (6-3 250 Sr.) and Alex Stutz (6-3 230 Sr.) lead an experienced ofOutlook: Tyler Anderson’s rebuilding projfensive line. ect is on schedule.

Head coach: Tyler Anderson

The Bruins were 0-10 in his first season, then 3-8 in 2017 and 5-6 with a playoff berth in 2018. He’s increased the number of athletes in the program — his junior class has 35 players in it — and he’s feeling optimistic about the upcoming season.

“We have a lot of kids back from last year’s team that gave Stansbury a good run in the first round,” Anderson said. “We have eight returning starters on defense and six on offense and our junior class is pretty good. We feel like we’re going in the right direction since we got things started here.”

The offense starts with Anderson’s son, Duce.

Defensively, senior Elwood Afalava will be a force at end. Anderson expects a lot from linebacker Liam Hone (6-0 220 Jr.) and cornerback Nesty Montfluery (6-0 160 Sr.), both returning starters.

“Just because we had success last year doesn’t mean automatically we will this year,” Anderson said. “ I think the kids understand that because of the way they’ve worked this summer. We know we’re not going to get handed anything. You’re not going to get respect until you earn it. We’ve got a good senior group and a good group of younger guys pushing them.”

CEDAR VALLEY AVIATORS Head coach: Weston Zabriskie 2018 record: None (first year in 2019)

things. The kids get a say in what kind of culture they put together.”

Most of the Aviator athletes were previously at Westlake but a solid number of seniors decided to take on the challenge of Players to Watch: Jaxson Hooley (Sr. QB), Kainoa Baker (Sr. WR), Zealan Acherman (Sr. leading the first-year team.

OL/DL), Gage Olsen (Sr. OL/DL), Dean Price “These seniors wanted to come and start (Sr. OL/DL) a tradition,” Zabriskie Outlook: The energy and excitement is said. “We clearly evident as this new high school emfeel like barks on its inaugural year of prep football. we have a “We have a lot of kids, almost 50 more good group than we were exof seniors pecting to have who are going come out,” head to lead, then a very big coach Weston freshman and sophoZabriskie said. more classes that are “That’s been a going to help set the little bit ton for the program.” of a He believes that a prochalcess focused on continual lenge as we’ve improvement will pay tried to find ways for everydividends as the season one to get reps and get ways to progresses. play. We are starting traditions and how we are going to do Playoffs: None

2019 SCHEDULE 8/16 at Maple Mountain

7 p.m.

8/23 vs. Spanish Fork

7 p.m.

8/30 at Murray

7 p.m.

9/6

at Stansbury

7 p.m.

9/13

vs. Ben Lomond

7 p.m.

9/20 vs. Uintah

7 p.m.

9/27

at Tooele

7 p.m.

10/4

vs. Ogden

7 p.m.

10/10 vs. Mountain View

7 p.m.

10/16 at Park City

7 p.m.

Value of the work: “These guys are working hard,” Weston Zabriskie said.

“We have had to be creative with our workouts because even now we aren’t in the school. We’ve been lifting out on the field or on the track — but whatever we have asked the kids to do, they have bought in and done it. We haven’t had kids dropping out. We are getting more and more kids to come out.”

2019 Season

21

RETURNERS

PREP STAT LEADERS

Utah Valley’s top returning players look to build on 2018 successes RUSHING YARDS 1. Jorgen Olsen, Salem Hills: 1,184 yards 2. Rory Ziegra, Timpanogos: 1,182 yards 3. Carsen Manookin, Lehi: 1,001 yards 4. Sione Moa, Timpview: 821 yards 5. Noah Sewell, Orem: 694 yards

PASSING YARDS 1. HAYDEN BETTS, LEHI: 2,242 YARDS 2. Luke Haslem, Provo: 2,162 yards 3. Jacob Negus, ALA: 1,685 yards 4. Payton Murphy, Springville: 1,663 yards 5. Jorgen Olsen, Salem Hills: 1,540 yards

RECEIVING YARDS 1. Devin Downing, American Fork: 1,298 yards 2. Fielding Morley, ALA: 630 yards 3. Ryan Harward, Provo: 561 yards 4. Hayden Shockley, ALA: 546 yards 5. Dylan Samuels, Skyridge: 524 yards

TOTAL TACKLES 1. Mason Cobb, Provo: 119 tackles 2. Jacob Vasquez, Lehi: 119 tackles 3. Kale Anderson, Westlake: 103 tackles 4. Noah Sewell, Orem: 103 tackles 5. Jared Fotu, Lone Peak: 95 tackles

SACKS 1. Ioholani Raass, Skyridge: 16.5 sacks 2. Jared Fotu, Lone Peak: 13 sacks 3. Elwood Afalava, Mountain View: 12.5 sacks 4. Ryder Hatch, Lehi: 7 sacks HAYDEN BETTS Now at American Fork 22 Daily Herald Utah Valley Football Preview

5. Jake Meuter, Salem Hills; Bradley Weddle, Mountain View; Keegan Nitta, Lone Peak: 6 sacks Statistics from MaxPreps.com

2019 Season  23

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