The story with Region 8, and its new look after realignment, is not so much about the new additions, but of the subtractions. At least in the minds of coaches, who, entering the 2015 season, see the region as wide open compared with recent years.
The big subtraction? That would be perennial region bully Timpview and its surplus of Region 8 championships through the years.
"It makes a big difference with Timpview being gone, honestly," said Salem Hills coach Joel Higginson. "Every year Timpview has been the team to beat and there's never been a question. Now, the whole dynamic of the region has been changed with them being gone."
Timpview moved to Region 7 along with Provo as part of the statewide realignment that takes place every two years. New to Region 8 are Payson and Uintah, two schools that enter the season as relative unknowns.
"We don't know all that much about Payson and Uintah yet, but we know they'll be tough teams that we'll have to be ready for," said Springville coach Willy Child. "Looking around this region, there's a lot of tough teams and teams we'll have to be ready for every week."
So who is the favorite in Region 8 in the wake of Timpview's departure?
Region 8 coaches, who participated in a preseason straw poll, tabbed Child's Red Devil program as being the favorites.
"There's tough teams like Springville, who I would say is probably the favorite, but we feel several teams will be good enough to win this region," said Maple Mountain Coach Brad Burtenshaw. "Then you have a couple of new teams that I don't know much about it. We feel it will be tough like always."
Although Springville was voted the favorite by coaches, most agree that the region is truly wide open.
"Springville is going to be tough, but we believe we'll be tough, Spanish (Fork) will be tough with what they have returning and then Maple Mountain with their great quarterback," Higginson said. "I feel there's a lot of teams that have a real chance to win this thing and it should be exciting."
Springville was likely tabbed as the favorites due to a good amount of returning starters that aim to improve on last season's success.
"We came up just one game short last year and I think guys are confident that we can get there this year," Child said of his team that came just one game short of advancing to the state semifinals. "It's going to take a lot of work, but I like how guys have been working and I like the guys we have coming back."
As for Salem Hills, coaches agree they'll be at or near the top of the region standings despite the loss of some outstanding players.
"We lost our quarterback Porter Gustin, who I believe was the best player in the state, but we still have guys that are talented, experienced and hungry," Higginson said. "We also have some new players and we like our chances at taking region."
As for Maple Mountain, it returns starting quarterback Jaren Hall which should provide a huge boost heading into the season.
"Jaren is the guy we build around and he's been fantastic for us," Burtenshaw said. "Not just as a player, but he's a great kid off the field as well. It's a big thing for us to have someone like that leading the team."
As for Spanish Fork, the program will be breaking in a new and energetic coaching staff excited to compete.
"We have some really good athletes, but a lot of them are young and inexperienced," said first-year Coach Jordan Smith. "So we'll work to get those guys confident and hopefully things come together well and we can compete well in region and hopefully make the playoffs."
Wasatch, meanwhile, will be looking for more consistency with how they match up with region opponents.
“We’ve just got to be more consistent in what we do throughout the season," said Wasatch coach Steve Coburn. "We play pretty good in preseason, and then we run into a pretty tough region schedule, but we’ve got to be more consistent.”
Payson will be looking for marked improvement after competing in a very tough 3AA South Region as will Uintah.
Deseret News projections for 3AA North football teams in 2015
(Preseason rankings are based on coaches’ votes)
1. SPRINGVILLE: After seeing good success last season, capped off by a decent run in the 4A state playoffs, the Red Devils feel optimistic about their chances in 2015. The team claims 13 returning starters off the 2014 squad which includes expected standout running backs Devyn Tate and Scott Averett. On defense, Adam Rodriguez and Tate lead the way. Should new quarterback Jantsen Thorpe prove adequate then the Red Devils could improve on last year's success and form into a legitimate contender for the 4A crown.
2. SALEM HILLS: Replacing a player who did as much as Porter Gustin is all but impossible, but the cupboard certainly isn't empty for the Skyhawks. Led by running back Vili Wolfgramm and receiver Cooper Smith, coaches and players believe Salem Hills could prove prolific on offense. The challenge will be replacing Gustin at quarterback and at linebacker among other starting players on both sides of the ball. Other expected standouts for the Skyhawks include receiver Sam Collister and offensive linemen Hunter Morganson and Cody Young.
3. MAPLE MOUNTAIN: Having a returning starter at quarterback can prove a tremendous boost for any program. When that quarterback is one as good as Jaren Hall, the boost could be considerable. Hall will operate with a relatively new set of receivers in competing for a Region 8 crown. On defense, the team will be led by nose tackle Noel Unufe and linebackers Jordan Larson, Jaret Boyer and Garred Blanthorn.
4. SPANISH FORK: The Dons lost some big parts off last year's team, but returns some very good talent, including BYU commitment Solofa Funa, who will star at both running back and at linebacker. He'll be paired with younger brother Mase Funa as the primary playmakers on defense. Other contributors should include quarterback Nate Keisel and offensive lineman Tanner Parker.
5. WASATCH: Wasatch was beset by injuries last season, which caused many underclassmen to fill in and step up their play. Coach Steve Coburn is hopeful that experience for many of his then underclassmen last season will roundly benefit the team in 2015. Expected standouts include quarterback Garrett Davis and Kade Trowbridge on offense along with Jake Davis and Ben Bos on defense.
6. PAYSON: The Lions have struggled mightily in recent seasons, but have renewed optimism moving to a new region and a new classification. Payson returns a lot of good talent, including linebackers Payden Osborn and Tyler Patty on defense along with Bryson Tanner at running back. Should the line play come together then Payson may surprise teams and make a run at the playoffs.
7. UINTAH: A new coach, a new region, a new classification, a new offense and a new defense. That about sums up Uintah’s football program heading into the 2015 season. New coach Austin Heaps is excited about the challenge, especially with five returning starters on offense and six on defense. Running back Tyson Colton rushed for 1,021 yards last year and he’ll be the feature back again for the Utes. Kedric Coonis is taking over at QB. Defensively, Uintah has some great experience back this year including linebacker Dakota Havens, last year’s leading tackler, and safety Braden Lewis, the team’s third-leading tackler. Defensive lineman Davis Kendrick is another player expected to have a big season.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney