Each of the last two seasons, the Juab Wasps have earned a spot in the 3A semifinals.
Each of the last two seasons, however, the Nephi team has been sent home without a championship trophy in tow.
“We had a great season,” head coach Mike Bowring told the Deseret News. “And, yeah we fell one step short of the ultimate goal, but you don’t have to win a championship for a program to be successful.”
This year, thanks to realignment, the team that beat them twice — Judge Memorial — is gone and Juab is once again a strong contender for the 3A title. Clinching that championship would be the first in the school’s 59-year history.
All of that state chatter is a major reason why the Wasps were voted by 3A South coaches to end the year at the top of the region standings as well. The team will make its run while leaning on junior quarterback Ryker Osborne and a number of experienced skill players.
Manti, which enters the season No. 2 in the league rankings, also returns a number of skill players. The Templars, however, have spent the summer working to rebuild their offensive and defensive lines.
“Only one starter from our offensive line is back,” said Manti head coach Cole Meacham. “So we moved various kids from tight ends, from running backs that have a shot to play on the offensive line.”
Similar to the Wasps, Manti has gone deep into the playoffs each of the last two years only to be dismissed from postseason play by Judge. In the upcoming season, the Templars will lean on kids like tight end-turned-lineman Douglas Schiess and quarterback Derek Wright to clear that hurdle.
Settling in third in the preseason coaches’ poll is North Sanpete, a team that is a complete mystery to their own coach. In just his second year at the helm, Rick Wilson is continuing to establish what he expects from his team while the players get used to the idea of having the same coach for consecutive seasons.
“This group of kids has been through so many coaches in so many years,” Wilson said. “Right now, we are trying to build their self-esteem and build their self-concept, to work together, trust each other, trust us.”
Wilson is depending on new starting quarterback Zack Lee, who had limited time on the varsity field a year ago. Senior running back Spencer Applegarth, who led the Hawks with over 1,300 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards, is expected to excel again this season.
Canyon View was yet another casualty in the Judge title run last season, losing in the first round. However, the Falcons are looking forward to increased success this year thanks to strong summer workouts.
"Our offseason work has been as good as any year in the past that I have had," said head coach Robby Robinson. "We are bigger, faster, and a whole lot stronger than last year when we made the playoffs for the first time in a long time."
Richfield and Delta round out the final two spots in the coaches' preseason predictions after both teams missed the playoffs a year ago. However, both Richfield coach Erik Thorson and Delta coach Russ Fowles are optimistic about the road ahead for their respective teams.
"We want to go into every game feeling like it's a game that we're going to win," Thorson said of the Wildcats. "This group's looking to go out on the field and not look up to anybody."
— Additional reporting by James Edward
Deseret News projections for 3A South football teams in 2015
(Preseason rankings are based on coaches’ votes)
- JUAB: After making major runs into the 3A playoffs the last two seasons, the Wasps intend to use that experience and make 2015 the charm. Juab will lean on a new quarterback in junior Ryker Osborne, who will in turn depend on Tyse Ostler (WR) and Nolan Nielsen (WR). Big things are expected of Diego Carmona (SB/DB) and Payton Bowring (SB/DB), who made contributions last season. Juab has some holes to fill on defense but has confidence in Ashton Seely and the entire linebacker crew. 2014 RECORD: 11-2. PLAYOFFS: Lost to Judge 63-14 in the 3A championship.
- MANTI: With just one returning lineman, the Templars are working to gain know-how and experience on the line in a short amount of time. Senior Douglas Schiess is moving from tight end to offensive guard while Thomas McFarlane is bouncing between tight end and offensive tackle. Similarly, Jack Gillett is listed as both a receiver and an offensive tackle as Manti figures out its best lineup. Returning players include senior quarterback Derek Wright as well as seniors Braxton Good and Jordan Howe and junior Mac Stevens, who will help move the ball. 2014 RECORD: 7-5. PLAYOFFS: Lost to Judge 35-21 in the 3A semifinals.
- NORTH SANPETE: The Hawks are an unknown to the rest of the region and even to their own coach, Rick Wilson, who is entering his second year with the team. As Wilson continues to introduce his team philosophy and on-field strategy, he and his players continue to trust and depend on one another. The major emphasis for the new North Sanpete regime is focused on fundamentals and discipline. Running back Spencer Applegarth will lead the way while quarterback Zack Lee will take charge of the team. Taylor Lee, Jake Hadley, Trent Seely, Trey Sorensen and a handful of linemen also enter the season with varsity experience under their belts. 2014 RECORD: 4-8. PLAYOFFS: Lost to Union 19-15 in the 3A quarterfinals.
- CANYON VIEW: Senior Mike Musto returns as an experienced quarterback after accumulating over 1,000 passing yards last season. He will be leaning on returning skill players seniors Jackson Vasi (RB/WR), who had 649 rushing yards and 229 receiving yards last season; Payton Higgins (RB), who had 593 rushing yards and 244 receiving yards; and Xavier Stoker (TE), who had 364 receiving yards and another 42 on the ground. 2014 RECORD: 3-8. PLAYOFFS: Lost to Judge 42-14 in the 3A quarterfinals.
- RICHFIELD: The Wildcats are depending on a team made up of equal parts senior leadership and incoming juniors. Returning all-purpose yards leader Jenson Magleby will be back in the backfield to make waves for Richfield along with Matthew Griffin (WR) and Trenton Utley (WR). Newcomers include junior quarterback Evan Jerome as well as running backs and receivers Jake Luke, Jesse Nay and Mason Holdaway. 2014 RECORD: 7-4. PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.
- DELTA: After years of football success, the Rabbits have struggled the last two seasons due to low participation numbers. Now, the team is looking to optimize its small class of talented seniors while also throwing larger numbers of underclassmen on the field. Delta has potential on the defensive side of the ball, which returns starting lineman Ridge Petersen and major contributors Brett Walker, Jack Dutson and Jason Hatch. Dutson will also serve as the team's quarterback and Rhett Shamo will take on running back duties behind returning offensive linemen Bodie Draper and Russ Styler. 2014 RECORD: 1-8. PLAYOFFS: Did not qualify.
Sarah Thomas earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing an MBA at Westminster College. She has been covering sports for the Deseret News since 2008.