Note: Cedar Valley finished with a 5-7 overall record in 2019 and was fourth in Region 10 with a 4-3 record. It was RPI seed No. 15 in the 4A playoffs, and was eliminated by Sky View 62-0 in second round.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN — For a first-year school things went pretty smoothly last season for coach Weston Zabriskie’s team. After a slow start, the squad closed the season with a 5-3 record and secured a playoff win.
Now with year 2 approaching, the program has set out to build upon the foundation that was laid last season. “This year we’re talking about consistency, taking the next step, and battling every game,” Zabriskie said. “We’re really excited with the direction the program’s moving.”
With one glance at the roster it’s certainly easy to understand why Zabriskie is so excited. With a handful of their starters last season being sophomores, Cedar Valley has the rare combination of youth and experience.
On the offensive side of the ball the Aviators return last year’s leading rusher in AJ Lindsay. But the burden of the rushing offense won’t entirely be placed on Lindsay’s shoulders this season as Vili Mausia, Brennan Wolfe and Parker Christensen are all expected to get some work as the coaches look to balance out what was a pass-heavy offense last year. “We’ve got a pretty good stable of running backs where AJ might not have to take the whole load this year,” Zabriskie said. “With all four of those guys, we can put them in any combination in the backfield and it works. It’s been a lot of fun to see our running game evolve that way.”
Defensively Cedar Valley is young and fast. Led by Garrett Patton, the defense has six returning starters, many of whom are still underclassmen. One player that jumps out for the defense is sophomore linebacker Bryan Vogl. An impact player as a freshman, Vogl showed last year that age is just a number.
Zabriskie and the Aviators are eager to show what they can do this season and that last season’s playoff win wasn’t a fluke. “We’re ready to go,” Zabriskie said. “I think everyone is ready for some football and for some normalcy.”
Cedar Valley Aviators at a glance
Coach Zabriskie’s thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:
“They’ve been great. They’ve embraced every opportunity they get to be with their teammates and to work out. They’ve done a great job with it and I think it’s really brought a unity, not just to the team, but a unity to the football community in general.”
Cedar Valley offensive snapshot
Offensive coordinator: Steve Vincent
2019 offense: 24.3 ppg (12th in 4A)
2019 offensive statistics
- 2 returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Connor Petersen (LT)
- AJ Lindsay (RB)
Offensive newcomers to watch
- Brennan Wolfe (RB)
- Vili Mausia (RB)
- Parker Christensen (RB)
- Payton Weber (QB)
- Easton Schank (ATH)
- Lucas Peck (WR)
- Carter Johnston (WR)
- Ryan Fisher (WR)
Coach Zabriskie’s keys for offensive success in 2020:
“Consistency from both the run and the pass game. Last year we were really pass-heavy and we’re wanting to get more consistency out of both. (We want) to get the ball into the hands of multiple playmakers.”
Cedar Valley defensive snapshot
Defensive coordinator: Dalton Dunn
2019 defense: 35.6 ppg (17th in 4A)
2019 defensive statistics
- 6 returning starters
- 4-2-5 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Bryan Vogl (LB)
- So’l Saaga (LB)
- Tanner Evans (DB)
- Grant Salter (DB)
- Garrett Patton (DB)
- Keagan Sylvester (LB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
- Brian Davis (LB)
Coach Zabriskie’s keys for defensive success in 2020:
“The kids have to come out and play physically but they also have to be assignment-sound. They need to trust their assignments and their alignments. The kids need to do their job, get to their spots, and trust that their teammates are doing the same thing.”
Deseret News outlook for 2020
The excitement surrounding this team is undeniable. With a ton of talented and experienced underclassmen, Cedar Valley looks like it will be competitive for the next couple of years. If the Aviators gain momentum and confidence early nobody in Region 10 will want to play them. Park City and Stansbury are the favorites to take the region crown but don’t be surprised if you see Cedar Valley lurking beneath them.
Felt’s Facts for Cedar Valley High School
- All-time record: 5-7 (1 year)
- Region championships: 0
- Playoff appearances: 1
- All-time playoff record: 1-1
- State championships: 0
- State championship record: 0-0
Last 5 seasons
- 2019 — 5-7 (4-3 in Region 10 – 4A Second round)
Cedar Valley coaching history
- 2019-current — Weston Zabriskie (5-7)
Cedar Valley All-State at-a-glance
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
- 2019 — Jaxson Dastrup, TE