Region 3 is on a roll, considering that a league member has won the last three 3A state championships - Logan won
Region 3the 1988 and 1989 titles and Mountain Crest edgedregion peer Sky View for the 1987 crown.This year, the consensus among coaches is that the league - from top to bottom - is at its strongest. Take it from Logan Coach Perry Christensen of the two-time defending champion Grizzlies - "our league is going to be loaded."
Bear River: If you're Coach Mike Rosky and have eight offensive starters back and an experienced offensive line that will average 218 pounds across, what are you going to do? "We're going to run the ball, no doubt about it," said Rosky.
Brian Theurer (pronounced "tire") averaged 28 yards a return as the 3A all-state specialist and gained 650 yards even though knee and wrist injuries kept him out of three full games. All-region fullback Jared Burnham gained another 713, averaging 7.8 yards a carry. Shawn Fuhriman will play QB, while all- region lineman Chris Wise (6-3, 245 pounds) and Brance Hammons (6-0, 255) will be the Bears' bookends at tackle.
Ben Lomond: Coach Jerre Holmes reports that the Scots have a good corps of running backs, more size than usual up front and decent speed in the secondary.
The spotlight on talented two-way returnees start with senior TE Cam Quayle (6-7, 205), then shifts to OL Mike Kearl (6-2, 230). Kim Hester (6-4, 200) headlines the defensive backs, while shifty FB Kason Philalom (5-11, 175) leads the offensive backs.
Box Elder: Third-year fullback Jamie Greer (5-10, 190) and OL Kory Mueller (6-5, 255) are two off the Bees' three offensive starters back for Coach Larry Findley, while WR-DB Matt Maddox (5-11, 175) earned all-region honors last year as a sophomore. Also second-year starting DB Mike Reeder is battling junior Rich Jensen for QB honors.
Alan Morrell (6-0, 225) saw considerable time last year at middle linebacker, while defensive tackle B.J. Hawker (5-9, 160) is small but the strongest player on the team. Box Elder has three DBs back with considerable varisty experience.
Logan: Certainly overshadowed by all of the Grizzlies talent at the skill positions during Logan's back-to-back 3A title trek has been an abundance of personnel on the line, which returns literally intact this season. K.C. Mitchell (6-3, 275) and David Duce (5-11, 260) are three-year starters, looking to help Logan to a third straight crown.
Following the mold of former MVPs, Coach Perry Christensen has found another capable QB in '89 backup Scott Robinson. "He has a stronger arm that Blair or Todd - he just has to work on his touch." Robinson will look to a receiving corp led by returnee Brandyn Jenkins.
Mountain Crest: It's an understatement when Coach Dan Cox says the Mustangs' strength is in its line's experience and size. Consider the following five seniors, each a previous starter: Walter Fiefia (6-3, 245), Cody Losthouse (6-1, 215), Joel Goodman (6-3, 195), Matt Funk (6-3, 225) and Neil Maughan (6-4, 200).
Junior QB Ray Larsen (6-3, 185) is joined in the backfield by RBs Ryan Pond (a part-time starter last year as a freshman) and senior Jeff Davis (a part-time starter last year before being injured), with Goodman playing some fullback. All four LBs have been starters at one time or another before, with John Mayers and Colby Steffenhagen spotlighted in the two inside positions.
Ogden: The Tigers are small but quick, as evidenced by 5-11 QB Sheddrick Mickles, who earned honorable-mention all-state honors last year.
Other top returnees back for Coach Ralph Parish include all-region lineman Mack Nelson and honorable-mention all-region DB-WR Delaney George. Jamie Shell, a 6-foot FB is a new move-in from Montana.
Sky View: One of the high-profile new faces in Region 5 is first-year Sky View Coach Bill Brechler, has already led the winless-in-'89 Bobcats to a victory in their season-opener this year. Other Sky View newcomers include junior QB Greg Robertson (6-0, 170) and senior WR Jeff Griffin (5-10, 170).
Experience returns in the likes of WR Robert McKenna (6-3, 180), second-team all-region lineman Jaret Jorgensen (5-10, 180) and LB Richard Boman (5-10, 180).