The 2020 high school boys season got underway this week for teams in Class 3A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 3A. 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 3A this year: Austin Marques (Grand), Brian Simmons (Providence Hall), Josh Blair (Summit Academy), Josue Albacore (ALA) and Dane Pollock (Manti).
Here are the 3A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 12
1. Emery Spartans
Head coach: Troy Winter
2019 record: 7-7-1 (fourth in Region 15 with a 5-4-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Maeser Prep in 3A first round
Additional info not provided
2. Carbon Dinos
Head coach: Chad Cowdell
2019 record: 4-12-2 (fifth in Region 14 with a 3-7-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Grand in 3A first round
Additional info not provided
3. Grand Red Devils
Head coach: Austin Marques
2019 record: 13-2-1 (first in Region 15 with a 9-0-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to South Summit in 3A quarterfinals
Additional info not provided
4. Richfield Wildcats
Head coach: Clay Morgan (6th year)
2019 record: 5-9-0 (fifth in Region 15 with a 3-7-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial in 3A first round
Returning contributors:
- Kordell Morgan, M, Jr.
- Ben Evensen, F, So.
- Wyatt Blackner, D, Sr.
- Ethan Murray, D, Sr.
Coach comment: “Lots of returning players and an infusion of new talent that should make us very competitive in region play.”
5. South Sevier Rams
Head coach: BJ Peterson
2019 record: 0-13-0 (sixth in Region 15 with a 0-10-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to American Leadership in 3A first round
Additional info not provided
6. San Juan Broncos
Head coach: Jay Jones (3rd year)
2019 record: First season (played as junior varsity team last year)
Returning contributors:
- Levi Ward, M, Sr.
- Brigham Castellon, M, Sr.
- Staten Perkins, D, Sr.
- Gavin Jones, F, Sr.
- Cameron Jensen, M, Jr.
Coach comment: “We are very excited to begin our very first varsity year for boys soccer at our school. We are optimistic but know that we will have to work very hard to do well in the region. Many of the other teams have be established for many years. We have a lot of new talent this year on our team which will help give us some depth on the bench. It will be fun to see how the work together.”
Region 13
1. Judge Memorial Bulldogs
Head coach: Kelly Terrell
2019 record: 13-3-1 (second in Region 13 with a 6-2-0 record)
2019 postseason: Defeated Summit Academy in 3A championship
Returning contributors:
- Gedeon Baende, F, Sr.
- Jack Terrill, F, Sr.
- Elliot Gleich, Sr.
- Juan Batalla, So.
2. Morgan Trojans
Head coach: Seth Wallace (1st year)
2019 record: 9-7-2 (seventh in Region 13 with a 4-3-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to American Leadership in 3A first round
Returning contributors:
- Jacob Firby, F, Sr.
- Bryant Johnson, M, Sr.
- Spencer Hancock, M, Sr.
- Ammon Patterson, D, Sr.
- Chase Lane, M, Jr.
Coach comment: “With nine seniors and 11 juniors, this will be a very deep, talented and experienced squad with excellent leadership. We have some very good sophomores and incoming freshmen that will push for playing time. This group of seniors has been battle tested and seen it all over their high school careers. We’ve experienced a lot of quality wins with some really tough losses to end our season the last two years. We will have our work cut out for us once again in a very strong Region 13.”
3. South Summit Wildcats
Head coach: Chris Burton (11th year)
2019 record: 8-8-3 (fourth in Region 13 with a 2-5-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A semifinals
Returning contributors:
- Thomas Kirkham
- Kyler Kimball
- Dylan Staples
- Ethan Simmons
- Joe Atkinson
Coach comment: “We are very excited to begin another soccer season. We return a lot of starters from last season and look forward to making a run at the title again.”
4. Summit Academy Bears
Head coach: Josh Blair (1st year)
2019 record: 14-2-0 (first in Region 13 with a 7-1-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial in 3A championship
Returning contributors:
- Zachary Mooney, M, Sr.
- Omar Khan, M, Sr.
- Elias Holt, M, Jr.
Coach comment: “As the new coach of Summit Academy, I am excited for the potential our school and athletes show in the preseason. We have a solid group of returning seniors and sophomores. Albeit a younger likely varsity squad I have confidence in the top 11 to be competitive in our region and beyond. I am also excited to build on the great legacy of our previous coach and believe our program will be one to watch over the next several seasons.”
5. Grantsville Cowboys
Head coach: Travis Lowry (10th year)
2019 record: 3-12-0 (fifth in Region 13 with a 0-8-0 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Jose Garcia, F, Sr.
- Cody Dzierzon, D, Sr.
- Scott May, D, Sr.
- Tanner Stettler, F, Jr.
- Preston Remmick, M, Jr.
Coach comment: “We are very excited for this season. We are still young but we have good leadership and experience in key spots and every player is willing to put in the work necessary to have success. We are hoping to surprise some people this year.”
6. Providence Hall Patriots
Head coach: Brian Simmons (1st year)
2019 record: 8-6-0 (fourth in Region 14 with a 7-5-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to South Summit in 3A first round
Returning contributors:
- Zach Ferre, M, Sr.
- Daniel Taylor, D, Jr.
- Trevan Nelson, D, So.
- Kevin Garcia, F, So.
Coach comment: “At Providence Hall, we are very optimistic about our opportunities this season. We lost a full line of seniors last year, and are eager to get on the field and begin defining our identity as a team. Our success will depend on our team culture and work ethic. Our goal is a state championship, and we believe we can make it there.”
Region 14
1. American Leadership Eagles
Head coach: Josue Albacore
2019 record: 17-2-0 (first in Region 14 with a 12-0-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial in 3A semifinals
Additional info not provided
2. Maeser Prep Lions
Head coach: Dustin Simmons
2019 record: 9-5-1 (second in Region 14 with a 8-4-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A quarterfinals
Additional info not provided
3. Manti Templars
Head coach: Dane Pollock (1st year)
2019 record: 11-5-1 (second in Region 15 with a 6-3-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial in 3A first round
Returning contributors:
- Brian Chavez, D, Sr.
- Juan Tinoco, D, Sr.
- Shane Arnoldsen, GK, Jr.
- Trace Boggess, F, Jr.
- Jaime Vargas, M, Sr.
Coach comment: “As a new coach and new coaching staff, we are excited to continue to build on the culture of Manti soccer. We have a team with good varsity experience, with a good mix of upper and underclassmen. They are working hard and the team is focused on competing at a high level.”
4. Delta Rabbits
Head coach: Pedro Gonzalez
2019 record: 9-8-0 (third in Region 14 with a 7-5-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Manti in 3A first round
Additional info not provided
5. North Sanpete Hawks
Head coach: Steve Solen (2nd year)
2019 record: 8-7-1 (third in Region 15 with a 5-4-1 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Morgan in 3A first round
Additional info not provided
6. Union Cougars
Head coach: Bill Goodrich
2019 record: 1-12-3 (sixth in Region 14 with a 0-9-3 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A first round
Additional info not provided
7. Juab Wasps
Head coach: Devon Peterson
2019 record: 0-11-3 (seventh in Region 14 with a 0-9-3 record)
2019 postseason: Missed playoffs
Returning contributors:
- Jaxon Anderson, M, Sr.
- Brock England, D, Sr.
- Kaden Wilde, D, Sr.
- Braden England, F, Sr.
- Jayden Valtinson, F, Sr.
Coach comment: “Juab is in another building year but with five returning seniors and a few returning juniors and sophomores we should be a better team than last year. Juab has added a new class of freshmen that will help stabilize the program from top to bottom. We have boys that are willing to work hard and commit to better soccer. We believe we are better in all positions and have enough depth to be consistent on the field. The culture has changed and the team is more cohesive than in years’ past. Juab will be on the rise over the next few years.”