BEAR RIVER BEARS
For the second year in a row the Bears will have to learn a new system. Former coach Jay Graft left for Snow Canyon and Chris Wise, a longtime assistant takes over. Like last year, the Bears have the talent to learn and execute a new system with success.
"We will be a very young team with a lot to build on," Wise said. "We have a new and exciting system on both sides of the ball."
Nick Zundel and Justin Ashby are two returners who will anchor the offensive line. Morgan Jepperson and Jared Fronk return at running back and wide receiver, respectively.
"We have good athletes which can be molded through hard work and discipline," Wise said.
BEAR RIVER SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 — at Logan, 7 p.m. Aug. 30 — SKY VIEW, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 — BOX ELDER, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 — at Uintah, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 — MORGAN, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 — at Tooele, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 — at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — OGDEN, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 — PINE VIEW, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 — at Grantsville, 7 p.m.
MORGAN TROJANS
Everything can could have possibly gone wrong for coach Renn Hoopes last season did, but the Trojans still managed to win five games.
"With all the injuries we experienced last year, we will have as much experience returning as we ever had," Hoopes said.
A total of 17 starters are back for Morgan and that in itself is scary. Ten of those are on defense.
Darren Tucker and McKay Bybee bring experience at cornerback. Caid Evans, one of Morgan's best athletes, plays tight end, linebacker and is also the punter. Scott Randall is one of the Trojans' returning offensive linemen.
"We a lot of hard work and some luck, we may be competitive," Hoopes said.
MORGAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 — at Millard, 6 p.m. Aug. 30 — PARK CITY, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 — at Jackson Hole, Wyo., 7 p.m. Sept. 13 — at Logan, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 — at Bear River, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 — OGDEN, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 — GRANTSVILLE, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 — WASATCH, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 — TOOELE, 7 p.m.
TOOELE BUFFALOES
Kyle Pratt and Kyle Brady are enough to cause headaches for the rest of the Class 3A teams, but when you throw in the other 12 starters, the Buffaloes look downright tough. Tooele went 5-0 in region play to win the title.
"I'm looking forward to the season to see how it unfolds," Tooele coach Tyler Anderson said.
Along with Pratt and Brady, Chris Gochis is a two-year starter and he'll be a big part of the team.
Chris Terry and John Shepard started at the offensive line last year and they will be joined by James Despain, Spencer Arslanian, and Pat Ward or Joey Banford, who all have some, but not much, varsity experience.
Matt Holt, Griffin Sorenson and Chad Gochis should be two-way starters for the Class 3A No. 3 Buffaloes.
TOOELE SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 — at Pine View, 7 p.m. Aug. 30 — at Wasatch, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 — MOUNTAIN CREST, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 — JUDGE MEMORIAL, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 — at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 — BEAR RIVER, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 — at Ogden, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — GRANTSVILLE, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 — at Morgan, 7 p.m.
OGDEN TIGERS
The Tigers made the Class 3A playoffs as the final team from Region 11, but they had to play in a three-team playoff with Ben Lomond and Grantsville to get there. Coach John Filiaga is hoping they will get in this year without the need of the playoff.
Ogden has a total of seven returners, but they will be quite young in the other positions. Filiaga said his team is excited with what they are doing so far.
Chase Tribe is back at quarterback and Eric Creamer and Matt Starley will join him in the backfield. Matt Rothey is a solid wide out and Matt Hadley returns on the offensive line.
OGDEN SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 — at Weber, 7 p.m. Aug. 30 — JUDGE MEMORIAL, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 — at Granite, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 — ROY, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 — GRANTSVILLE, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 — at Morgan, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 — TOOELE, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — at Bear River, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 — at Carbon, 7 p.m. Oct. 24 — BEN LOMOND, 7 p.m.
BEN LOMOND SCOTS
The Scots have four preseason games to prepare for a tough region slate and coach Aaron Tillett said his team will need every one of them.
"The beginning of the season will be shaky, but hopefully we are better at the end of the season - and getting better each week," Tillett said.
Tillett will count on three juniors in quarterback Steve Wilson, linebacker Brett Barber and offensive lineman Nick Hughes. Senior Robert Trujillo will anchor the defensive line.
BEN LOMOND SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 — SOUTH SUMMIT, 7 p.m. Aug. 30 — at Roy, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 — at Judge Memorial, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 — UNION, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 — TOOELE, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 — at Grantsville, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 — BEAR RIVER, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — MORGAN, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 — GRANITE, 7 p.m. Oct. 24 — at Ogden, 7 p.m.
GRANTSVILLE COWBOYS
It's amazing that the smallest school in Class 3A could make the playoffs in its first year, but that's the type of players Kevin Butler has. Well, it was the pseudo-playoffs (a three-team inter-region playoff) - at least they were there.
A total of 12 starters return for that team led by QB Zach Nelson, Kevin Mouritsen, Paul Clarke, Boone Bolinder and Nathan Hicks.
"We will be much improved with a lot of experience," Butler said.
GRANTSVILLE SCHEDULE
Aug. 23 — WASATCH, 7 p.m. Aug. 30 — at Juan Diego, 7 p.m. Sept. 6 — at Canyon View, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 — PARK CITY, 7 p.m. Sept. 20 — at Ogden, 7 p.m. Sept. 27 — BEN LOMOND, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 — at Morgan, 7 p.m. Oct. 11 — at Tooele, 7 p.m. Oct. 16 — NORTH SEVIER, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 — BEAR RIVER, 7 p.m.