With three of the last four state champions coming out of what are not Regions 9 and 10, fingers may point to these regions as the Class 3A powers.
Snow Canyon (1997 champion) and Dixie (1997 semifinalist) top the list from Region 9, while Lehi, Uintah (1994 champion) and Union (1993 champ) are staking early claim to Region 10 bragging rights.Here's a team-by-team look at each region:
Region 10
Lehi - Quarterback Braden cooper who had 19 touchdowns and 2,202 yards in 1996, is returning for his fourth season at the Pioneer starter. He and receiver andy Hadfield are two of Lehi's five returning starters. As for the other side if the ball, "the defense may take some time to gel, but we should be strong by the end of the year," Lehi coach Chad Wilson said.
Uintah - With the return of nine defensive starters, Ute coach Curg Belcher is excited for the year. Jeremy Pierce (defensive end), Andy Long (cornerback) and Jimmy Lewis will key that defense. Senior John Muir and juniour lefthander Adam Madsen are battling for the QB spot.
Union - "We have very few returning starters," Union coach Don Busenbark said. "We are trying to rebuild. We have a lot of talented young players who will need to step it up for us to be successful." Parker Morrill could get the nod at QB for the Cougars.
Wasatch - First-year coach Tim Stanley is still assessing the talent of this team that went 6-4 in 1996. He said Jeff Carpenter (QB/DB), Tyler Farrell (WR/DB) and J.R. Lindsay (LB/RB) mhave all looked good in early workouts.
Park City - Coach Paul Tomasiewicz and the Miners are returning eight starters led by Matt Provost (5'9", 185) at running back and linebacker, and Brooks Walters at wide receiver, cornerback, kicker and punter.
Region 9
Snow Canyon - The Warriors have a lot of holes to fill with only three returning starters for their 1996 12-0 squad. Part-time starter Matt Hickman returns at quarterback, while returners Mike Esplin and Rhett Willimas return to cornerback and defensive tackle, respectively.
Dixie - First-year coach Mike Smith has only four returning starters from the 1996 seim-finalist club, and he will be counting on them. Center Mitch North (6-foot-3, 245 pounds), Brett Burrows, who had 12 TD catches in 1996, Lance Pendleton, and Tyler hoopes will be Smith's foundation.
Cedar - With the wishbone offense that calls for a solid offensive line, returners Shane Clark (6'0, 250) and justin Taylor (6'5, 250) return for coach Todd Peacock at offensive guard and tackle for the Redmen.
Pine View - Pine View coach Wade Turley said the 1997 version of the Panthers should be much improved over the 3-5 '96 club because of experience, strength and speed. Jhon Brockman (6'2, 235), a two-year starter, is back at tackle, wile Jesse Callahan, who had 84 tackles at linebacker, are two of PV's 12 returning starters.
Hurricane - Coach Wes Christiansen said he is fielding his "youngest, smallest and least experienced" group of kids in his 26 years of coaching. The Tigers return just three starters, two on offense, led by Cory Ballard and Micah Suwyn. William Colton will look to boltser the young defense.
Canyon View - It's a new school, new staff, new system and young players. The first-year Falcons and coach Danny Lewis will take their lumps in Region 9. Junior quarterback Rand Janes, who started five games at QB for Cedar High in 1996, and running back Jonny Gayson bring some experience to the Falcons.
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Additional Information
Dig into some prep pigskin previews
As high school football teams begin their padded two-a-day practices today, the Deseret News is also starting its preparations for the upcoming prep pigskin season.
Are you ready to some football. . .previews? Well, we are.
So, brace yourselves, Class 2A football junkies. You are first up on the slate of our annual week-and-a-half series of in-depth previews that will conclude with Region 1 on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The season officially begins on Aug. 28.
Here's what to look for:
Today..................Class 2A
Tuesday................Regions 9-10
Wednesday..............Regions 7-8
Thursday...............Region 6
Friday.................Region 5
Saturday...............Region 4
Aug. 24................Region 3
Aug. 25................Region 2
Aug. 26................Region 1
Aug. 27................Schedules
Preseason region coaches poll
Region 9
1. Snow Canyon
2. Dixie
3. Cedar
4. Pine View
5. Hurricane
6. Canyon View
Region 10
1. Lehi
2. Uintah
3. Union
4. Wasatch
5. Park City