OK, sports fans, here's a trivia question for you. Can you name the quarterback the following paragraph describes?
During the 1991 season this senior team captain led his Provo-based school to a league title. He passed for thousands of yards in the process and left little question that he played for the best football team in the state.One more hint, the answer is not Ty Detmer.
The correct response is Ryan Engemann, Timpview's top gun, who led the Thunderbirds to 11 straight victories and a state 4A high school football championship.
While Engemann is not as well known as his fellow Provo QB, his value to his team compares favorably to Detmer's. Engemann completed 134 passes in 252 attempts (53 percent) for 2,089 yards and 24 touchdowns, while being intercept ed just 13 times.
For his efforts, Engemann has been named the Most Valuable Player in class 4A, the largest high school classification in the state. He is joined by Bountiful's Chad Blackburn, Delta's Joe Myers and North Summit's Brandon Jones, who are the MVPs in their respective classifications.
The players took various routes to MVP status. Engemann and Jones did most of their damage through the air, while Blackburn caused opposing quarterbacks headaches and Myers was usually running the ball when he wasn't playing hard-nosed defense. But one thing all these players have in common is that their teams won the state championship on Rice Stadium's carpet.
Engemann had plenty of help in leading the T-Birds to their first 4A title (Timpview won the 3A championship in 1986). His leading target was Doug Henstrom, who caught 41 passes for 723 yards and 12 TDs. Defensive back Neal Winterton led the team in tackles and defensive points, while lineman extraordinaire Brett Cook was the leader in the trenches. Each received MVP consideration, but it was Engemann who was the key to the 4A's most productive passing team.
"Ryan just did an outstanding job in leading our offense," Timpview coach Chad Van Orden said. "His junior year he led our JV team to an undefeated season, so he only lost one game he started in two years."
After a slow start, which saw Timpview lose its opener by one point then win its second by the same margin, the Thunderbird offense got rolling. During the final 10 games of the year, all victories, Timpview scored an average of 30 points.
Engemann had six games of 200-plus yards passing, including a best of 252 yards in a 35-7 victory over Bingham in the state playoffs. In Timpview's 42-0 win over Pleasant Grove, Engemann tossed five touchdown passes in just two-and-a-half quarters of play.
While his leadership ability is comprable to Detmer's, his size is more along the lines of another former Utah County prep star, Springville High's Scott Mitchell, now with the Miami Dolphins. Engemann stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 219 pounds.
"He's a big, strong kid and I think that really gave him an advantage," Van Orden said. "He really did a nice job of going to the second or third receiver when the primary receiver was covered."
In the 3A ranks, the Bountiful Braves won their second consecutive state championship due largely to a tenacious defense.
Unlike the 1990 season, when Bountiful was expected to be a top contender for the crown, this year's team went into the state playoffs as underdogs. The Braves lost a pair of regular season games and went in as the third seed from Region Six.
But they defended their title with defense, led by middle linebacker Chad Blackburn.
In the state semifinal, Bountiful held Dixie scoreless until an overtime period. During the 13-game season the Brave defense gave up an average of just seven points per outing.
But the crowning achievement came in the state final when Blackburn and Co. held the high-flying Mountain Crest offense to just a single field goal to win the game, and subsequently the state title, 7-3. In the final moments of the contest, the Mustangs, owners of the most potent offense in 3A, had one final chance to win the game. But an interception by Blackburn (who else?) put the game on ice for Bountiful.
During the year Blackburn registered a team-high 128 tackles (80 unassisted), 12 sacks and three fumble recoveries.
To see him off the field, Blackburn probably wouldn't strike fear in anyone. He is 5-11 and an unassuming 175 pounds. But get him on a football field and he's a quarterback's nightmare.
"He may be small, but you can't measure his heart," Bountiful coach Larry Wall said.
To make up for his lack of size, Blackburn used speed and quickness to give opponents fits.
"He's as quick a linebacker as I've ever had," Wall said. "He is a great leader and just epitomized what our team was all about."
Delta's Joe Myers had the type of year that would earn him All-State honors on both offense and defense. Combined, he made it an easy choice in selecting a 2A MVP.
Myers, who was a first-team Deseret News All-State running back as a junior, had an even better senior season. He rushed for 1,531 yards and 19 touchdowns and also threw for a pair of TDs on halfback passes.
He was equally impressive on defense. A four-year defensive starter, he had his best year yet with a team-leading 108 tackles from his linebacker position.
"He was obviously a big part of our success," Delta coach Dean Fowles said. "He was a quiet leader and built confidence around him. He played hard on every down."
Playing both ways took its toll on the 5-10 Myers. He started the year weighing 175 pounds, but by the end of the season he was tipping the scales at 162. Jenny Craig would have been proud of him, but he wasn't trying to lose weight.
Myers rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns during his high school career despite not having blazing speed. What he had was good quickness, lateral movement, the ability to break tackles and outstanding determination.
North Summit won its third consecutive 1A title this year, thanks in no small part to quarterback Brandon Jones.
Jones, who was a first-team All-State selection a year ago, makes the jump to MVP thanks to 1,704 passing yards and 23 touchdowns in 10 games. He threw 185 passes and only nine were picked off.
"We used a run-and-shoot type offense and this year we went with no huddle much of the time, so we needed a quarterback who was confident and could read defenses," North Summit coach Rick Harrison said. "Brandon did a great job in that role. He could really read coverages well, so we centered our offense around him."
Jones is a lanky 6-4, 185 pounder who excels in four sports. He is an All-State high jumper who also plays basketball and baseball for the Braves. In addition, he carries a 3.94 grade-point average and was named to the academic All-State team.
While players from smaller high schools, like North Summit, are often overlooked by college recruiters, Jones is being eyed by various NCAA division I and II schools as well as by local junior colleges.
"He's good enough to play college ball somewhere. I just hope someone gives him the chance," Harrison said.
While Engemann, Blackburn, Myers and Jones had MVP-type seasons, numerous other players, in each classification, had All-State caliber years. For a complete listing see page D-2.
*****
(Chart)
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STATE
Listed alphabetically by classification
4A
Jonathon Anderson, Bingham
Paul Applonie, Layton
Brian Barcklay, Davis
John Barksdale, Mountain View
Mike Burnside, Roy
Matt Burrows, American Fork
Tyler Carrol, Brighton
Brian Christensen, West Jordan
Kimbal Christianson, Timpview
Shane Fleming, Clearfield
Mike Ford, Bonneville
Tom Geertsen, Cottonwood
Brian Gertino, Cottonwood
Howard Gurney, American Fork
Jared Hendrickson, Highland
Kyle Hill, Layton
Matt Hill, Davis
B.J. Hunter, Granger
Drew Hurst, Skyline
Brian Jacketta, Cyprus
Adam Johnson, Hillcrest
Travis Leifeste, Clearfield
Wes Leveridge, Orem
Trent Mansfield, Roy
Steve Mattson, West Jordan
Chris Miller, Provo
Naki Pilui, Granger
Heath Ogden, Alta
Jarod Ostler, American Fork
Brad Palmer, Davis
Blair Postma, Alta
Cornel Saluone, Provo
Taylor Scalley, Highland
Jarred Schroepfer, Highland
David Stowell, East
Wylee Strong, Layton
Justin Thomas, Olympus
Ken Wamsley, West Jordan
Scott Warner, Highland
Ryan Webber, Bonneville
3A
Anthony Barbiero, Tooele
Kelly Brown, Jordan
Quinten Carter, Ben Lomond
Chad Cleverly, Bountiful
Cole Cooper, Lehi
Matt Ekins, Lehi
Kip Fowler, Dixie
Andy Gunther, Woods Cross
Chad Hawley, Woods Cross
Jeff Holtry, West
Chris Hester, Ben Lomond
Mike Hutchings, Granite
Jeremiah Johnson, Ben Lomond
George Kelsch, Murray
Chris Knight, Ogden
Kory Kohler, Mountain Crest
Jared Lish, Bear River
Brook Madsen, West
Joe Mattson, Lehi
Joel Mirelles, Emery
Todd Robbins, Granite
Micah Rolfe, Spanish Fork
Jamie Shell, Ogden
Jeff Simmons, Granite
Derrell Small, Springville
John Stender, Box Elder
Tom Sydall, Box Elder
Eric Tennant, Emery
Todd Warner, Tooele
Ross Wilberg, Emery
Trevor Witney, Springville
L.D. Wright, Spanish Fork
2A
Brett Aaron, Richfield
Clint Albrecht, Beaver
Destry Balch, South Sevier
Cody Barney, Grantsville
Blake Christensen, Millard
Brett Coates, Millard
Tracy Glover, Kanab
Rich Didericksen, Grantsville
Josh Hill, Grantsville
Kris Hunt, South Sevier
Rhett Larsen, Manti
Brady Lynn, Juab
Jon Marshall, Beaver
Andy Monroe, Millard
James Monroe, Millard
Brandon Olsen, North Sanpete
Tyler Olsen, Juab
Mike Palmer, Grand
Tony Peterson, Morgan
Phil Romero, Morgan
Bryan Roundy, Kanab
Clint Winters, Delta
1A
David Adams, Monticello
Brandon Allen, Parowan
Rusty Baxter, Gunnison
Michael Betteridge, Parowan
Lorenzo Buck, Whitehorse
Jason Brown, Gunnison
Vern Collins, Monument Valley
Derric Dastrup, Altamont
Monte Griffiths, Milford
Henry Hopkins, Duchesne
Gentry Ramsay, Monticello
Jarvis Redhouse, Monument Valley
Billie Robb, Parowan
Chad Smith, North Summit
Dusty White, Altamont
Garrett Woolstenhulme, North Summit
*****
(Chart)
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE
4A
QB: Tyler Nelson, Orem, 6-3, 205, Sr.
RB: Matt Hansen, Skyline, 5-10, 160, Sr.
RB: Quinn Wheeler, Cottonwood, 6-1, 210, Sr.
RB: Brian Hoskins, Layton, 6-0, 190, Sr.
WR: Dan Going, Hillcrest, 6-2, 175, Sr.
WR: Jeremy Sink, Mountain View, 6-2, 220, Sr.
TE: Adam Krommenhoek, American Fork, 6-2, 195, Sr.
TE: Jim Richards, West Jordan, 6-3, 254, Jr.
OL: Dave Coleman, Granger, 6-4, 270, Sr.
OL: Kohn Cullimore, Davis, 5-10, 190, Sr.
OL: Brandon Smith, Brighton, 6-3, 230, Sr.
OL: Whit Fairbanks, Bonneville, 6-0, 15, Sr.
OL: Kimo Skyles, Mountain View, 6-0, 220, Sr.
DL: Chris Fox, Cottonwood, 6-3, 230, Sr.
DL: Gary Lancaster, West Jordan, 6-1, 210, Sr.
DL: Bryan Dean, Hunter, 6-0, 190, Jr.
DL: Mike Fullwood, Hillcrest, 6-0, 250, Sr.
LB: Adam Castro, West Jordan, 6-0, 208, Sr.
LB: Travis Flint, Roy, 6-0, 195, Sr.
LB: Caleb Ngatuvai, Timpview, 6-1, 212, Sr.
LB: Shay Taggart, Clearfield, 6-4, 190, Sr.
DB: Justin Johnson, Bonneville, 5-10, 165, Sr.
DB: Eric Lloyd, Brighton, 6-1, 190, Sr.
DB: Sean Hagen, Brighton, 6-0, 180, Jr.
DB: Jason Pitt, Viewmont, 5-11, 170, Sr.
K: Brandon Inouye, Orem, 5--10, 175, Sr.
P: Jim Henderson, Mountain View, 5-9, 160, Sr.
Ret: John Law, Cottonwood, 5-11, 175, Sr.
3A
QB: Brian Hickman, Dixie, 6-0, 180, Jr.
RB: Matt Marziale, Spanish Fork, 6-0, 180, Sr.
RB: Ryan Santore, Granite, 5-9, 156, Jr.
RB: Jon Skipps, Emery, 6-2, 190, Sr.
WR: Rick Obray, Mountain Crest, 6-3, 155, Sr.
WR: Eric Sorenson, Logan, 5-10, 155, Sr.
TE: Cole Myers, Jordan, 6-4, 237, Sr.
OL: Chris Thomsen, Logan, 6-6, 220, Sr.
OL: Ryan Graham, Murray, 6-2, 195, Sr.
OL: Joel Baumgart, Granite, 6-4, 296, Jr.
OL: Scott Hampton, Lehi, 6-2, 213, Sr.
OL: Kirk Ava, West, 6-4, 225, Sr.
DL: Todd Crowther, Bountiful, 6-2, 200, Sr.
DL: Nick Gibson, Judge Memorial, 6-3, 240, Sr.
DL: Mike Grow, Dixie, 6-2, 220, Sr.
DL: Duane Findley, Granite, 5-11, 202, Sr.
LB: Jeremy Taeoalii, Murray, 5-10, 185, Sr.
LB: Ryan Pond, Mountain Crest, 6-0, 180, Jr.
LB: Orrin Hall, Payson, 5-11, 185, Sr.
LB: Adam Gurr, Union, 6-1, 180, Sr.
DB: Dave Hooper, Murray, 6-1, 178, Sr.
DB: Dave Delahunty, Jordan, 6-2, 175, Sr.
DB: Matt Maddox, Box Elder, 5-11, 182, Sr.
DB: Russ Gridley, West, 6-1, 180, Sr.
K: Dan Olsen, Wasatch, 5-8, 145, Sr.
P: Brandon Sargent, Jordan, 6-1, 180, Jr.
Ret: Kip Jones, Mountain Crest, 5-6, 140, Sr.
2A
QB: Ray Jackson, Delta, 5-11, 170, Sr.
RB: Kyle Gutke, San Juan, 5-10, 165, Sr.
RB: Ben Dalton, Beaver, 6-1, 192, Sr.
RB: Joey Apple, San Juan, 6-0, 180, Sr.
WR: Lance Mickelsen, North Sevier, 6-3, 185, Sr.
WR: Eric Francis, Park City, 6-3, 170, Sr.
OL: Don Brown, Juab, 6-3, 265, Sr.
OL: Kris Jackson, Delta, 5-11, 190, Jr.
OL: Kevin Cochran, Park City, 6-1, 200, Sr.
OL: Joel Homan, Delta, 5-9, 160, Sr.
OL: Ryan Nielson, San Juan, 6-5, 225, Sr.
DL: Cory Young, North Sanpete, 6-0, 210, Sr.
DL: Nathan Costa, Richfield, 6-3, 175, Sr.
DL: Brad Chamberlain, Park City, 6-1, 170, Sr.
DL: Mike Erickson, Morgan, 6-2, 205, Sr.
LB: Mark Carter, Morgan, 6-2, 155, Sr.
LB: Ryan Christiansen, Hurricane, 5-9, 165, Jr.
LB: Dirk Giles, Grantsville, 5-10, 170, Sr.
LB: Kaycee Simpson, South Summit, 5-11, 175, Sr.
DB: Tyler Sperry, Juab, 5-6, 130, Sr.
DB: Earl Bailey, North Sanpete, 5-11, 150, Sr.
DB: Bret Greathouse, Delta, 6-3, 160, Sr.
DB: Weston Hartle, Richfield, 6-0, 170, Sr.
*****
(Chart)
Previous MVPs
1990
4A: Joe Dupais, Skyline
3A: Chris Jones, Bountiful
2A: Branden Draper, Beaver
1A: Matt Bates, North Summit
1989
4A: Leroy Vea, Kearns
3A: Blair Hodson, Logan
2A: Mike Brown, San Juan
1A: Wade Smith, North Summit
1988
4A: Chad Knowles, Alta
3A: Todd Wilson, Logan
2A: Tilden Swallow, Millard
1A: mark Rydalch, South Summit
1987
4A: Ed Chatterly, Orem
3A: David Smith, Mountain Crest
2A: Joel Wilson, Emery County
1A: Mickey Houston, Kanab *****
(Additional information)
All-state selections based on balloting
The Deseret News currently uses a coach-balloting process in selecting its annual prep football all-state teams.
Mailed out at the end of the regular season are all-state ballots, allowing coaches to vote for first- and second-team selections at 27 separate positions - 12 on offense, 12 0n defense, and three on special teams.
First- and second-team votes are then tabulated, with the highest point-getters at athe respective positions earning the all-state honors. Point totals also determine second-team and honorable mention selections.
Included again this year as part of the Deseret News All-State package are statistics and statements provided by the players' coaches, with statistical recording and reporting procedures varying from team to team.
The coach-ballot process allows each school equal representation. Coaches not only are aware players on their own teams but opposing players during preseas, region-season and postseason games. Coaches also notice additional players on other teams during scouting and film-watching.
All-state balloting participation percentages and the number of players receiving votes follows:
4A - from the state's 28 4A schools, 24 ballots were returned (86 percent participation); 179 players received votes.
3A - from the state's 27 3A schools, 25 ballots were returned (93 percent participation); 174 players received votes.
2A - from the state's 17 2A schools, 17 ballots were returned (100 percent participation); 152 players received votes.
1A - from the state's 12 1A schools with prep football programs, 11 ballots were returned (92 percent participation); 89 players received votes. Gunnison Valley, a 2A school with a sanctioned 1A football schedule participated in the 1A building.
The 1991 Deseret News MVP and first-team all-state selections will be honored at Dec. 9 banquet at the Airport Hilton, sponsored in part by the Utah High School Football Coaches Association.