Midway through the prep football season, reporters, coaches and fans started talk of which Utah Valley players were having the best year.
Some of those feelings changed, partly due to injuries, and some did not. Some players were steady throughout the year while others had ups and downs. As the season progressed, players began emerging as candidates for All-State and All-Utah Valley honors. A handful were attracting attention in discussion of the state's and valley's most valuable players.
In picking our All-Utah Valley team, it was the play down the stretch and in the postseason that made the difference for many players. And while most, including Timpview's coaches, say defense is why the Thunderbirds won the 4A state championship, we feel that was more of a group than an individual effort. On Timpview's offensive side of the ball, however, it was quite clear who carried the load and which player was getting better with each game.
The deepest positions this year were on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically, there were many candidates at linebacker and defensive back who were deserving — and many others easily could have been named on the first team. Timpview has six first-team selections, while Lone Peak and Provo each have four.
Most valuable player
MVP — JACKSON OWEN, RB, Timpview: Seldom did one tackler bring Owen down. In the two final-four games at Rice-Eccles Stadium, he carried the ball 50 times for 260 yards and two TDs. For the season he had 1,740 yards rushing and 18 scores. He also had 172 yards receiving.
Offense
HOUSTON REYNOLDS, OL, Timpview: The anchor of what was regarded as the top offensive line in Utah preps. Headed to BYU next season.
PRESTON YATES, OL, Lone Peak: Excelled on both sides of the ball. Was outstanding in opening holes and providing pass protection for the Knights.
WESTON SAMANI, OL, Provo: One reason the Bulldogs' option game worked so well was Samani's understanding of blocking technique and his muscle at moving defenders.
BRANDON BEDDES, OL, American Fork: Another star lineman on both sides. Guided a line that helped produce more than 1,500 yards rushing and more than 1,300 yards passing.
TODD SALMON, WR, Timpview: Delivered the big plays when the T-Birds threw the ball. Had four catches in title game and 28 for the season for 482 yards and six TDs.
JORDAN SMITH, WR, Spanish Fork: Had nearly 200 yards receiving in quarterfinal game and despite repeated double-teams finished year with 1,200 all-purpose yards and six TDs.
ZACK FOX, WR, Spanish Fork: One of the state's best at running routes and very reliable hands. Finished with 52 catches for 755 yards and eight touchdowns.
LEROY UNGA, RB, Payson: The powerful junior was a handful on tacklers. For the season he rushed for 1,158 yards and eight TDs, averaging more than five yards per carry.
AUSTIN ALDER, RB, Provo: The fastest and quickest running back around. Had two return TDs and 10 rushing. Finished with 1,838 all-purpose yards. Also a stellar DB for the Bulldogs.
MITCH SANDERSON, RB, Pleasant Grove: Perhaps the most gutsy player in the state. He carried the Vikings many times in the close and critical games. Rushed for 1,006 yards and 13 TDs.
ZACH BRADY, QB, Pleasant Grove: The second half of the Vikings' never-quit backfield, and a great DB (three int.) as well. Ran for 492 yards, threw for 1,010 yards and had a total of 13 TDs.
GRIFF ROBLES, QB, Spanish Fork: Strongest arm in the valley, but his legs were a main reason the Dons advanced to the quarterfinals. Threw for 1,673 yards and 17 TDs. Will play for Utah next season.
Defense
TREVOR EVERETT, DL, Lone Peak: One of the toughest defenders to block in the valley. Tallied 120 total tackles, seven for a loss, and 10 sacks and nine hurries.
FUNAKI ASISI, DL, Provo: Another star on both sides of the ball. A tough-to-move guy on defense, finished with 37 tackles and four sacks.
IKANI VAITOHI, DL, Spanish Fork: When Dons' line was weakened by injuries, Vaitohi's role changed and he rose to the challenge. Led the team in tackles, sacks and hurries.
KEVIN BILLS, DL, Timpview: Vicious pursuer of the ball, almost impossible to block and tough as nails. Had 50 tackles, five sacks and one interception.
TYSON BUCK, LB, Lone Peak: Led the valley with 79 unassisted tackles. Also had one sack, seven hurries and three interceptions and one blocked kick.
DEVIN MAUSIA, LB, Timpview: Contender for MVP by leading the T-Birds aggressive defensive charge. Compiled 90 tackles, 12 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
TOM STEELE, LB, Orem: The Tigers team leader for second straight year. Had 136 tackles, caused six fumbles, recovered three fumbles, had two interceptions and six sacks.
SCOTT BEZZANT, LB, Pleasant Grove: Besides being the starting fullback, led the Vikings' tough defensive front. Tallied 70 tackles with one fumble recovery and one interception.
CRAIG BILLS, DB, Timpview: One tough cookie for a sophomore. Finished the year with 84 tackles, six interceptions, 10 pass deflections and caused one fumble.
MIKE HONEYCUTT, DB, Lone Peak: Numbers really don't do this DB justice, other than the fact that only four passes were completed against him all season. Had two interceptions.
RYAN CLARK, DB, Timpanogos: One of the best corner covers that coach Brad Molen has seen. Starred on both sides but finished with three interceptions and 40 tackles.
RYAN LAWS, DB, Provo: One of Provo's versatile players who excelled on both sides. On defense he racked up 64 tackles and eight interceptions.
Special teams
Returns — NASH FOWLER, Timpanogos: Another do-it-all guy for the T-Wolves. Had 1,291 all-purpose yards and 10 TDs. Averaged 30 yards per kick-off return and 19 on punt returns.
Returns — MATT HARWARD, American Fork: The Cavemen's do-it-all guy. Had nearly 500 return yards and 1,200 all-purpose yards. Scored 12 TDs and also did the team's punting.
Kicker — NATE KILLPACK, Orem: Not only a strong leg, but reliable. Made 13 of 16 field-goal attempts with a long of 49 yards. Made 25 of 26 extra points and had a 66-yard punt.
Best of the rest
Riley Sullivan, Lehi; Taylor Jensen, Lehi; Steve Nelson, Springville; Sean Merkley, Springville; Nate Fullmer, Springville; Casey Valeit, Springville; Mike Newbury, Springville; Jake Balser, Orem; Cam Leeper, Orem; Tucker Lamb, Orem; Greg May, Mountain View; Josh Curtis, Mountain View; David Kruger, Timpanogos; Sam Ashman, Timpanogos; Jake Murphy, American Fork; Jake Packer, American Fork; Wes Haskell, Payson; Chance Bateman, Payson; Brian Hiatt, Payson; Ngalumoeutul Wolfgramm, Payson; Napa' Finau, Spanish Fork; Warner Jarman, Provo; David Ojuka, Provo; Jake Larsen, Provo; Benson Cluff, Lone Peak; Easton Pedersen, Lone Peak; Steve Beck, Lone Peak; Taft Rasmussen, Lone Peak; Scott Lefrandt, Lone Peak; Scott Gowdy, Lone Peak; Jon Hess, Lone Peak; Famika Anae, Timpview; Eathyn Malemaleuna, Timpview; Trevor Kreutzer, Timpview; Chris Tingey, Timpview; Sean Clark, Timpview; Dominique Moe, Timpview; Mike Alisa, Timpview; Braden Frampton, Pleasant Grove; Mitch Clarine, Pleasant Grove; Sean McClean, Pleasant Grove; Tyson Keetch, Pleasant Grove; Mark Kennington, Pleasant Grove
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com