The 2020 high school boys season got underway this week for teams in Class 4A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 4A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are five new boys soccer coaches in 4A this year: Isaac Klingonsmith (Crimson Cliffs), Brady Wycherly (Cedar Valley), Jopseh Alamilla (Juan Diego), Jesse Esquivel (Bear River) and Justin Beus (Mountain Crest).
Here are the 4A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 9
1. Desert Hills Thunder
Head coach: Benji Nelson
2019 record: 17-3-1 (first in Region 9 with a 11-1-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Sky View in 4A championship
Returning contributors:
- Ben Simister, F, Sr.
- Sawyer Heaton, M, Sr.
- Garrett Lewis, M, Sr.
- Preston Hodges, GK, Sr.
Coach comment: “Last year we were fortunate to win second place in the state tournament. The year prior we won the state tournament. So de have had a lot of success the past two years. Having lost in the finals our team is hungry and prepared to do what ever it takes to revenge that loss. We graduated two starters last year and lost two players who got significant playing time to Crimson Cliffs who just opened up this year. So we have nine returning starters. We are also very deep with our junior class who also have significant time and playoff experience. We have a very talented group of athletic and skilled players that will be ready to compete with any team in 4A. We will focus on one game at a time and work our way as a team to compete for the 4A state championship again this year.”
2. Dixie Flyers
Head coach: Burt Myers (14th year)
2019 record: 12-2-1 (second in Region 9 with a 11-1-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Sky View in 4A quarterfinals
Returning contributors:
- Xavi Flores, M, Sr.
- Danny Morales, D, Sr.
- Kian Rocha, D, Sr.
- Andy Rich, F, Sr.
- Zane Sadlier, M, Sr.
3. Snow Canyon Warriors
Head coach: Mark Whittwer (2nd year)
2019 record: 9-7-0 (third in Region 9 with a 8-4-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Mountain View in 4A quarterfinals
Returning contributors:
- Cole Warner
- Luis Gamez
- Dillon Hoskins
- Jose Milina
4. Pine View Panthers
Head coach: Ryan Duckworth (4th year)
2019 record: 4-11-0 (sixth in Region 9 with a 3-9-0 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Ty Conrad, D, Sr.
- Ethan Gilmore, F, Jr.
- Artio Rivera, M, So.
- Pablo Rivera, D, Jr.
- Angel Trejo, M, Sr.
Coach comment: “Young team with a desire to develop and prove themselves chemistry will be key, along with understanding the fast paced play of Region 9 soccer. This is a team looking for player leadership and its own identity.”
5. Cedar City Reds
Head coach: Scott Kamachi (26th year)
2019 record: 4-12-0 (fourth in Region 9 with a 4-8-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Park City in 4A first round
Returning contributors:
- Tito Garcia
- Isaac Fletcher
- Gavin Carpenter
Coach comment: “The team returns many of the starters from last season. We expect to be very competitive with the top teams in our region, If those wins come early we could see an increase in confidence which could break the hold that those teams have had on the top three spots for the past few season. Every game will be a battle, there are no easy days in Region 9.”
6. Crimson Cliffs Mustangs
Head coach: Isaac Klingonsmith (1st year)
2019 record: New school
Additional info not provided
7. Canyon View Falcons
Head coach: Dustin Schaible
2019 record: 5-9-1 (fifth in Region 9 with a 3-8-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Additional info not provided
8. Hurricane Tigers
Head coach: Jeff Fry
2019 record: 2-14-1 (seventh in Region 9 with a 1-10-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Kainoa Murdock, F, Sr.
- Luke Christian, GK, Sr.
- Lucas Smith, M, Sr.
- Evan Brubaker, D, Sr.
- Noah Schiffman, D, Sr.
Coach comment: “For the first time in years, I feel like we have up-and-coming young players that believe in our program and want to be a part of it. This young strength will be the future of our program. However, our upperclassmen have been tried and tested these last few years and have the knowledge and experience needed to bring us to a new level. We are very excited about the upcoming year and what it will have in store for us. This will be our best year since I’ve taken over as coach, and will reflect the type of culture and program we have been forming. We are hungry and ready to prove ourselves, not only to the state but to ourselves with our capabilities and perseverance.”
Region 10
1. Ogden Tigers
Head coach: Todd Scott
2019 record: 7-5-2 (third in Region 11 with a 7-3-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Dixie in 4A first round
Additional info not provided
2. Stansbury Stallions
Head coach: Jacob Jones
2019 record: 9-8-1 (fourth in Region 1 with a 7-4-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Desert Hills in 4A first round
Additional info not provided
3. Ben Lomond Scots
Head coach: William Echeverria
2019 record: 9-7-0 (second in Region 11 with a 8-4-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Snow Canyon in 4A first round
Additional info not provided
4. Juan Diego Soaring Eagle
Head coach: Joseph Alamilla
2019 record: 3-10-1 (sixth in Region 11 with a 3-8-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Mark Fivaz, F, Sr.
- John Flannigan, F, Sr.
- Mason Harris, F/MF, Sr.
- Ishan Dhawan, MF, Sr.
- Tyler Young, D, Sr.
Coach comment: “Last year at Juan Diego it lost a lot of close games in the closing minutes of the second half. It was unlucky at times last year. With the talent development and the new additions to the team we should be competitive this year.”
5. Uintah Utes
Head coach: Kinnon Oldaker (2nd year)
2019 record: 2-13-0 (sixth in Region 10 with a 2-10-0 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Jared Connelly, D, Sr.
- Grayson Goodrich, GK, Sr.
- Gage Willhelm, D, Sr.
Coach comment: “We have an exciting mix of seniors with varsity experience and talented young players who are eager to prove they can compete at a high level.”
6. Cedar Valley Aviators
Head coach: Brady Wycherly (1st year)
2019 record: New school
Coach comment: “We are excited to start a new program at Cedar Valley and build a winning tradition both on the field and in the classroom. We will field a young team this year that will grow and develop into a 4A power in a short period of time.”
7. Tooele Buffaloes
Head coach: Stephen Duggan (6th year)
2019 record: 0-13-1 (seventh in Region 11 with a 0-11-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Said Vasquez, M, Sr.
- Mason Tate, M, Sr.
- Braxton Chavez, D, Sr.
- Chris R, M, Jr.
- Ethan Hogan, F, Jr.
Coach comment: “We have an excellent blend of experience and youth. The squad have great depth and the competition for places is very strong. There’s no doubt that this is our strongest team and squad to play for the school in the past two decades, or more. We are very excited for the upcoming season and we expect to mount a real challenge for a region title and to also have a good run in the postseason knockout stages.”
Region 11
1. Green Canyon Wolves
Head coach: Sven Rasmussen
2019 record: 6-7-1 (fourth in Region 12 with a 4-5-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Mountain View in 4A first round
Additional info not provided
2. Sky View Bobcats
Head coach: Jorge Cruz
2019 record: 12-2-4 (first in Region 12 with a 7-1-2 record)
2019 postseason: Beat Desert Hills in 4A championship
Additional info not provided
3. Ridgeline Riverhawks
Head coach: Dale Buchanon
2019 record: 4-7-1 (sixth in Region 12 with a 3-6-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Additional info not provided
4. Logan Grizzlies
Head coach: Natalie Norris (2nd year)
2019 record: 9-4-2 (second in Region 12 with a 7-2-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Desert Hills in 4A quarterfinals
Returning contributors:
- Fernando Chavez, F, Sr.
- Johan Velazquez, M, Sr.
- Nate Perez, F, Sr.
Coach comment: “We’re excited for this upcoming season, despite losing a lot of seniors, we have a talented team coming back and I’m excited to see how we come together. We have some great leaders and some good incoming talent and I think we’ll be able to be a strong contender this year.”
5. Mountain Crest Mustangs
Head coach: Justin Beus (1st year)
2019 record: 10-9-1 (third in Region 12 with a 5-5-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Desert Hills in 4A semifinals
6. Bear River Bears
Head coach: Jesse Esquivel (1st year)
2019 record: 5-9-1 (sixth in Region 12 with a 1-8-1 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Coach comment: “We lost 12 seniors and have will only have four this year. I will have a young team and just look forward to competing with all the teams we play this year.”