With the 2009 high school football getting under way this evening across the state, several Deseret News prep writers offer picks and opinions about the upcoming season.
Andrew Aragon
State champion picks: Bingham (5A), Mountain Crest (4A), Park City (3A), South Summit (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: Murray (5A), Woods Cross (4A), Desert Hills (3A), Gunnison (2A), Milford (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Alex Kuresa, (Mountain Crest), Bronson Kaufusi (Timpview), Tanner Hinds (Davis).
Three games you won't want to miss: Timpview at Alta (Sept. 4), Viewmont at Davis (Sept. 30), Logan at Mountain Crest (Oct. 9)
Michael Black
State champions picks: Alta (5A), Mountain Crest (4A), Juan Diego (3A), San Juan (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: American Fork (5A), Box Elder (4A), Cedar (3A), North Summit (2A), Altamont (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Alex Hart (Jordan), Harvey Langi (Bingham), Jordan Black (Alta).
Three games you won't want to miss: Alta at Pleasant Grove (Oct. 23), Timpview vs. Pleasant Grove (Aug. 21), Cottonwood at Alta (Aug. 21).
John Coon
State champions picks: Alta (5A), Mountain Crest (4A), Delta (3A), San Juan (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: Murray (5A), Olympus (4A), Wasatch (3A), North Summit (2A), Altamont (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Alex Kuresa (Mountain Crest), Tanner Hinds (Davis), Harvey Langi (Bingham).
Three games you won't want to miss: Pleasant Grove at Timpview (Aug. 21), Bingham at Cottonwood (Sept. 18), Mountain Crest at Sky View (Oct. 22).
James Edward
State champion picks: Alta (5A), Mountain Crest (4A), Hurricane (3A), San Juan (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: Brighton (5A), Tooele (4A), Ben Lomond (3A), North Summit (2A), Altamont (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Alex Kuresa (Mountain Crest), A'i Ho-Ching (Alta), Dylan Chynoweth (Park City).
Three games you won't want to miss (besides Alta vs. Bingham of course): Timpview at Alta (Sept. 4), Stansbury at Tooele (Oct. 22), Alta at Pleasant Grove (Oct. 23).
Trevor Phibbs
State champion picks: Pleasant Grove (5A), Mountain Crest (4A), Park City (3A), South Sevier (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: West Jordan (5A), Logan (4A), Bear River (3A), Kanab (2A), Altamont (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Dallas Lloyd (Pleasant Grove), A'i Ho-Ching (Alta), Bronson Kaufusi (Timpview).
Three games you won't want to miss: Timpview at Alta (Sept. 4) Davis at Syracuse (Sept. 11), Alta at Pleasant Grove (Oct. 23).
Dan Rasmussen
State champion picks: Bingham (5A), Timpview (4A), Park City (3A), San Juan (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: Syracuse (5A), Dixie (4A), Wasatch (3A), North Summit (2A), Altamont (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Harvey Langi (Bingham), Bronson Kaufusi (Timpview), A'i Ho-Ching (Alta).
Three games you won't want to miss: Pleasant Grove at Timpview (Aug. 21), Timpview at Alta (Sept. 4), Bingham at Cottonwood (Sept. 18).
Jim Rayburn
State champion picks: Bingham (5A), Timpview (4A), Juan Diego (3A), San Juan (2A), Rich (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations: Layton (5A), Provo (4A), Cedar (3A), Juab (2A), Milford (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: Bronson Kaufusi (Timpview), Alex Kuresa (Mountain Crest), Algernon Brown (Skyline).
Three games you won't want to miss: Timpview at Alta (Sept. 4), Springville at Spanish Fork (Oct. 9), Pleasant Grove at Lone Peak (Oct. 14).
Sarah Thomas
State champion picks: Pleasant Grove (5A), Timpview (4A), Hurricane (3A), San Juan (2A), Duchesne (1A).
Teams that will exceed expectations:?Taylorsville (5A), Tooele (4A), North Sanpete (3A), North Summit (2A), Milford (1A).
Three players worth the price of admission: A'i Ho-Ching (Alta), Gavin Fowler (Davis), Alex Kuresa (Mountain Crest).
Three games you won't want to miss: Pleasant Grove at Timpview (Aug. 21), Davis at Syracuse (Sept. 11), Alta at Pleasant Grove (Oct. 23).