It's a tough region and we know well that you can be a really good football team and still finish toward the bottom. – American Fork coach Aaron Behm

It's Region 4 and it's going to be brutal again.

That was the sentiment shared by every coach who will have to compete in what is considered by many as the state's toughest region almost every season. In 2015, Region 4 should showcase at least a couple of legitimate 5A championship contenders along with seven solid teams that won't allow any weeks off for their opponents.

"It's a tough region and we know well that you can be a really good football team and still finish toward the bottom," said American Fork coach Aaron Behm. "That's just the way it is in Region 4, but we learned last year that we can be the top team in the region and we're hopeful to be that again this year."

The Cavemen accomplished the superlative feat of going undefeated in Region 4 play before advancing to the 5A state championship game where they lost to nationally-ranked Bingham. This year American Fork has its work cut out to repeat on last year's breakthrough success, but certainly has the attention of opposing region coaches.

"American Fork is always a tough program and even though they lost some guys, I think they'll be right there again this year," said Lone Peak coach Mike Mower. "Coach Behm does a great job there, so they'll be tough just like everyone else, I feel."

As for Mower's team, many peg the Knights as the Region 4 favorite. Such a designation is in no doubt due to Lone Peak's success with a relatively inexperienced team last season.

This time around the Knights enter the season very experienced across the board and ready to match their preseason prognostications.

"Lone Peak is definitely a team we'll be watching out for," said Pleasant Grove coach Les Hamilton. "They looked great in offseason tournaments and we know they have a bunch of returning starters."

The same could be said of the Vikings, who return many of last season's starters while imposing what could prove to be the biggest and most physical offensive line in the state.

"Pleasant Grove is tough, Lone Peak is going to be tough, American Fork — it really is the SEC of high school football regions here in the state," said Herriman coach Dustin Pearce. "Then you have Riverton, even though they have a new coach there, I'm sure they'll be the same tough team that they always are."

Riverton will be breaking in a new coach after the retirement of Mike Miller, but is expected to be a Region 4 contender with new coach Brent Hawkins at the helm.

"There's a lot of continuity and that's been good," Hawkins said of what he inherited from Miller. "It's been good for the offseason, it's been good for the confidence of the kids, it's been good for knowing what we have coming back and where we can use them."

Two rising programs in Region 4 are thought to be Westlake and Lehi. Both schools have finished at or near the bottom of the Region 4 standings in recent years, but show signs of improvement heading into the 2015 season.

"We've taken our lumps here," said Westlake coach Steve Clements, "but we've been building and we really feel that we can do some good things this season if things come together. We're trending up."

The Thunder will feature one of the state's best playmakers in Chaz Ah You and a host of returning starters which should work to improve overall play.

As for Lehi, it's largely the same story given the amount of returning starters ready for their second year in coach Ed Larson's system. Larson knows Region 4 competition will likely be intense, but believes the parts are in place for his team to realize necessary improvements.

"There's just no weeks off at all in this region," Larson said. "It's playing the best the state has to offer just about every week, which makes things that much tougher for us now that we're rebuilding. But now that it's our second year, we expect everything to be better and run smoother than that first year."

Deseret News projections for Region 4 football teams in 2015

(Preseason ranking are based on coaches’ votes)

1. Pleasant Grove: Size is the first thing that strikes you when attending a Pleasant Grove practice session. The Vikings will present one of the state's biggest and most physical lines on both sides of the ball, which should give them a big advantage over most opponents. Couple that size with some proven and exciting playermakers, many of whom started last season, and it's no wonder why Region 4 coaches picked the Vikings to finish first. Should starting quarterback Isaac Hamilton prove capable with his ability or be even adequate, then Pleasant Grove will be formidable and a true contender to win the 5A state championship.

2. Lone Peak: What is said about Pleasant Grove could also be said about the Knights, save for the big and experienced offensive line. Big bodies aren't as easy to come by at Lone Peak, but Coach Mower spoke very optimistically about his line's potential on both sides of the ball. More good news is that the Knights probably have the best skill position players in Region 4. Players such as Jackson McChesney, Jonny Christensen, Todd Pasket and Tyler Kap, among others, should prove a handful for opposing teams. Look for Lone Peak to be near the top of Region 4, if not as the outright champions, by the end of the year.

3. American Fork: There's no doubt that the Cavemen lost some significant parts from last year's breakthrough team, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare. Most notably among those returning are starting quarterback Tanner Smith, running back Nathan Honey and receiver Coleson Worley, just to name three. The Cavemen are riding high off of last season's success and excited to keep the momentum going.

4. Herriman: Herriman, much like Pleasant Grove, looks to have one of the biggest and potentially dominant lines in the state although that line holds a lot of inexperience. Coach Pearce is confident his lines can overcome whatever inexperience they have and equal last year's production. Pair a productive line with the best skill position players the Mustangs have had in a while, and it's hard not to predict anything but success for the program in 2015. Standout players returning include receivers Tanner Rosenhan and Tomasi Tonga along with running back Matt Everton, just to name three of the potential stars for the Mustangs.

5. Riverton: The fact that a team as strong as the Silverwolves can be predicted to miss the playoffs speaks to just how strong Region 4 is. Riverton is short on returning starters, but will return several standouts such as linebacker Simeon Page, defensive back Cade Palmer and receiver Kalen Cook. New coach Brent Hawkins feels good about those being asked to fill starting positions, however, and if those new starters suffice, then Riverton should prove a tough out yet again.

View Comments

6. Westlake: The Thunder will present one of the most electrifying playmakers in the state in Chaz Ah You. The junior will play a host of positions, but likely focus on mixing it up at safety and at quarterback. Pair Ah You with key returning playmakers like running backs Kawika Sa'aga and Alema Te'o, along with receivers Shamon Willis and Nathaniel Corporan-Aumavae and the Thunder could be a real darkhorse in region this season.

7. Lehi: Last year was all about completely overhauling the entire offense while relying on a bevy of underclassmen. Now that coach Ed Larson's system is in place, with a good share of starters returning from a year ago, the Pioneers could surprise some teams. Expected standouts include Brandon Tafoya, Colton Carter, Nick Porter and Gabe Mellor on defense along with Braden Calton, Kade Moore, Colby Samuels and Carson Terrell on offense.

Email: bgurney@desnews.com

Twitter: @BrandonCGurney

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.