In the past few years, the Western States Football League has had its share of national recognition, and this year is no different. The WSFL has four teams ranked in the NJCAA's preseason top 25 poll.
Ricks College is ranked first in the nation coming off of an 8-2-1 record a year ago. Not far behind is Dixie, ranked eighth nationally. Other WSFL schools getting national attention are defending league champion Mesa Community College, ranked 13th and Glendale Community College at 25th.The other members of the nine-team WSFL are Phoenix College, Arizona Western, Scottsdale Community College and Eastern Arizona.
Here's a look at the three local members of the WSFL:
Ricks
After years of great seasons and coming close, Ricks College is finally in the preseason top spot.
"It's a great honor to go into the season ranked number one. It's certainly going to put us behind the eight ball and have everybody shoot for us, but our coaching staff figures everybody shoots for us anyway," said head coach Ron Haun.
The Vikings ended last season ranked third in the team passing offense category. They have 18 starters returning - nine each on defense and offense.
Leading the way on defense will be Scott Walker, who led Ricks in interceptions with eight last season. He will be joined by defensive backs Bryan Lampard and Dean Fonua.
Three starting linebackers return, lead by Kevin Kempf the Vikings leading tackler.
Returning defensive linemen are David Ayers, Frisco Mulitalo and Steve McCall.
On offense, the Vikings have running backs Kearney Hoggan, Craig Ashby and Chris Knechtel returning.
The quarterback spot will most likely be filled by BYU transfer Chris Hoge, who was going to be BYU's back-up to Ty Detmer for two more years. Hoge felt that he'd get more playing time at Ricks.
Dixie
Coach Greg Croshaw says that being ranked in the top 10 of the preseason polls is nice, but it doesn't mean a whole lot.
"I'd rather have us ranked in the top ten at the end of the season," said Croshaw.
The rebels should field a good team though. Croshaw likens Dixie's style of play to that of the old USC teams.
"We'll be a sweep team, usually throwing only on third and long," Croshaw said.
The real strength of the Rebels will be in the backfield with all-league returnees Wilson Kauvak from West Jordan and Zed Robinson who rushed for 1,056 yards last season.
Other key players on offense should be 6-8, 305 pound offensive lineman Mike Forsch, and quarterback Jeff Lindstrom out of Taylorsville.
Defensively, Dixie will be strong with players such as Robert LaPuaho, Frank Christensen, Brigham Burr, Buzz Eckhart and Chuck Porter.
Snow
Although Snow College is not ranked in the preseason NJCAA top 25, Chico Canales, Snow's offensive coordinator thinks that some of the other WSFL teams might be in for a surprise.
"We're expecting to have a big year," said Canales. "We have six returnees on offense, four on defense and 20-25 players with game experience."
Canales said that Snow will run a "wide-open passing offense" much as they have in recent years.
Competing for the quarterback spot are Shay Wyatt, a sophomore from Murray and Brett Barben out of Pineview High school, also a sophomore. They should get some good production from Tod Eglund, a sophomore wide receiver who played high school ball at Taylorsville.
Snow has some heavyweights on the offensive line: Jim LeBlanc, a 6-5 290 lb. preaseason all-america from Massachussets and Ese Letutli, a 6-6 280 pounder from California. They'll do the blocking for Snow's top running back Duncan Boyd, also a preseason All-America, who rushed for 900 yards and caught passes totaling over 300 yards last season.
Defensively, the Badgers should be solid.
Some key players on defense will be defensive linemen Steve Filihea and Dallas Rigdon, another preseason All-America. Linebackers Jess Voncolln and Brant Boyer, as well as defensive backs Danny Aragon from West High and Ben Petersen of Pineview should contribute.
Snow, Dixie, Ricks schedules:
Sept. 7 - Snow at Nebraska JV. Sept. 8 - Dixie at Eastern Arizona; Ricks at Glendale. Sept 15 - Arizona Western at Dixie; Mesa at Snow; Phoenix at Ricks. Sept. 22 - Snow at Arizona Western; Scottsdale at Dixie; Ricks at Eastern Arizona. Sept. 29 - Dixie at Mesa; Snow at Ricks. Oct. 5 - Dixie at BYU JV. Oct. 6 - Eastern Arizona at Snow. Oct 13 - Ricks at Dixie; Snow at Scottsdale. Oct. 19 - BYU JV at Snow. Oct. 20 - Walla Walla, Wash. at Dixie; Wenatchee, Wash. at Ricks. Oct. 27 - Ricks at Walla Walla, Wash.; Dixie at Glendale; Snow at Phoenix. Nov. 3 - Dixie at Snow; Scottsdale at Ricks. Nov. 10 - Phoenix at Dixie; Glendale at Snow; Ricks at Mesa.