Note: Provo finished with a 3-7 overall record in 2014 and was seventh in Region 8 with an 0-6 record. It did not qualify for the playoffs.
PROVO — Winning hasn't come easy for Provo in recent years, but a new coaching staff, a new attitude and some good wins a season ago has things trending up.
The 2015 Bulldog team includes a lot of returning starters leading to increased optimism heading into what should prove a challenging schedule.
"We're feeling good about how things are going," said Provo coach Tony McGeary, who heads into his second year coaching the Bulldogs. "We're returning a lot of guys, have our system more in place, so we're excited about the future and feel we can accomplish some good things this year."
Doing good things may be hard to come by in a new, stacked Region 7 that looks to be tougher than the Region 8 the Bulldogs played in a year ago.
"We still have Timpview, but then you add teams like Corner Canyon, Alta and Orem, yeah, it's probably going to be a bit tougher," McGeary said. "But we like that. We like being in a region with so many tough teams. We like that challenge."
In order to be competitive in region play the Bulldogs will need to continue their improvement while staying relatively healthy. Last season McGeary's team got off to a promising start before losing starting quarterback Vili Iongi to injury.
"To lose your quarterback, that really seemed to get us down after getting off to a good start," McGeary said. "Hopefully we can keep him healthy because when he came back late in the season, it really seemed to pick everything up."
Iongi will be a senior and provides the ability to beat a team with his arm and with his legs.
"He's had a great offseason throwing the ball and he's always been great at his ability to run the football," McGeary said of his quarterback. "He's a good leader and someone players respond to. Keeping him healthy will be a big key for us."
Iongi looks to have plenty of good options to throw the ball to, namely 6-foot-2 senior and Utah commit Ty Jones. Other receivers looking to contribute are Tevita Ika and Paden Jorgensen, among others.
"We have guys back that had a taste in the system and who look like pretty good players," McGeary said. "Now that it's their second year, and assuming we can keep our quarterback healthy, I think you could see some good production on offense."
At running back, McGeary plans to use newcomers such as Daniel Kelly and experienced players like Hunter Baum, who played primarily on defense last year.
On the offensive line, Provo will be able to use more players who don't have to play both ways, according to McGeary. The group should receive a good boost from new offensive line coach Kirk Chambers, who previously coached at Spanish Fork.
"Coach Chambers really knows his stuff and not having to rely on linemen playing both ways, I think that's going to be huge for us," McGeary said.
Defensively the Bulldogs return 10 starters, which should improve play considerably on that side of the football.
Key returners include Daniel Duerden, who will play middle linebacker, cornerback Baum, safeties Trapper Denton and Spencer Jorgensen along with Dallan Olsen and Danilo Ortolano.
"We're real excited about the strides we can make there because we're battle-tested," McGeary said. "Like the offense, our defensive linemen won't be asked to play both ways as much, so right there, you like that and with the experience we have coming back, we're feeling good."
The goal for Provo, who last won a region game in 2011, will be to get off that slide while becoming truly competitive.
"It's a process getting things in place, but we feel we did a lot of that last year and in the offseason," McGeary said. "We feel we can be a lot more productive this year, get some good wins and maybe even make a run at the playoffs."
Provo Bulldogs at a glance
Head coach: Tony McGeary is in his second year coaching at Provo. He previously coached at Lone Peak, where he went 51-12. He coached the Bulldogs to a 3-7 record last season.
Offense (7 returning starters; Spread)
Offensive coordinator: Tony McGeary
Returning offensive starters
Vili Iongi (QB)
Ty Jones (WR)
Paden Jorgensen (WR)
Tevita Ika (WR)
Soli Purcell (OL)
Bridger Kurip (OL)
Danilo Ortolano (TE)
Defense (10 returning starters; 4-3 base)
Defensive coordinator: Saia Pope
Returning defensive starters
Hunter Baum (DB)
Trapper Denton (DB)
Daniel Duerden (LB)
Spencer Jorgensen (DB)
Ta'au Lesa (LB)
Dallan Olsen (DL)
Danilo Ortolano (DL)
Soli Purcell (DL)
Coaches preseason Region 7 straw poll: Sixth
Deseret News preseason Region 7 prediction: Fifth
Bottom Line: With a proven coaching staff and plenty of returning starters, look for Provo to make some noise in Region 7 if the team can stay healthy. The Bulldogs should easily be able to garner at least one region win and, if things come together as planned, could make a serious run at the state playoffs. Things are trending up at Provo, which makes a relatively successful 2015 season imperative to maintain that upward momentum.
Last 5
2014 — 3-8 (0-6 in Region 8, Missed playoffs)
2013 — 1-9 (0-6 in Region 8, Missed playoffs)
2012 — 0-10 (0-7 in Region 8, Missed playoffs)
2011 — 3-7 (1-6 in Region 8, Missed playoffs)
2010 — 5-6 (2-4 in Region 7, Missed playoffs)
Provo coaching history
2014-current — Tony McGeary (3-7)
2012-2013 — Cody Mallory (1-19)
2008-2011 — Saia Pope (18-24)
2004-2007 — Clint Christiansen (21-22)
1999-2003 — Frank Henderson (17-37)
1995-1998 — David Mills (9-28)
1993-1994 — Ed Larson (6-12)
1992 — Jess Christensen (4-5)
1991 — Duane Johnson (5-4)
1979-1990 — Frank Henderson (88-42)
1977-1978 — Gary Roylance (6-12)
1976 — Paul Gillespie (10-2)
1973-1975 — Jack Branin (12-15)
1972 — Bry Lake (10-3)
1954-1971 — Dick Hill (81-71-6)
1943-1953 — Max Warner (39-51-6)
1942 — Glen Simmons (3-2-1)
1939-1941 — Griffith Kimball (16-9-2)
1936-1938 — Unknown (8-13-3)
1923-1935 — Glen Simmons (49-39-7)
1908-1922 – Unknown (14-17)
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2009 — Likio Pope, OL
2009 — Maka Unufe, Specialist
2006 — Austin Alder, Specialist
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney