High school football: Dixie Flyers 2020 preview

Note: Dixie finished with a 9-3 overall record in 2019 and was second in Region 9 with a 6-1 record. It was RPI seed No. 3 in the 4A playoffs, and was eliminated by Sky View 49-21 in semifinals.

ST. GEORGE — The unusual ebb and flow of experience for Dixie has shifted back to the defense.

Head coach: Blaine Monkres

Tied with Pleasant Grove’s Mark Wootton as the most tenured coach in the state, Monkres is entering his 30^th season as a head coach in Utah with a 213-114 record. He’s coached at Morgan, Fremont, Murray, Riverton and Dixie. He’s in his second stint at Dixie, where he’s coached a combined 10 years with a 74-32 record and state titles in 2012 and 2014. He’s a graduated of Clearfield High School and Weber State.

Dixie heads into the 2020 season with nine returning defensive starters but just one returning starter on offense.

“It’s weird. We just never have enough seniors to have them on both sides of the ball,” said Dixie coach Blaine Monkres.

A year ago, Dixie was the second-highest scoring team in 4A averaging 40.1 points per game, but duplicating that production is going to be difficult with only offensive lineman George Lamb back with much varsity experience.

Bronson Barben takes over the all-important quarterback spot in Monkres’ offense, and he brings a different dimension to the table.

“He’s more of a drop back passing guy instead of beat you with his speed. He’s a little different than what I’ve had, but he can really throw it,” said Monkres.

Defensively, Dixie ranked sixth in 4A a year ago allowing 21 points per game, but that number figures to nosedive significantly with so much returning experience that is also a year stronger.

Anchoring that defensive group are linebackers Alex Maycock and Bode Ray.

Dixie Flyers at a glance

Coach Monkres’ thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:

“My kids have been doing a pretty good job. They just kind of go with the flow. We try to spread out as much as we can and we’re not allowing people in the stadium to watch practice. That’s not going to last forever. Kids have been doing what we’ve asked them to do so far. I tried to make the point that it’s more a thing you’ve got to do to help your team out. When we go inside the building to do anything with film we wear a mask. They’ve been doing a pretty good job.”

Dixie Offensive Snapshot

Offensive coordinator: Blaine Monkres

2019 offense: 40.1 ppg (2nd in 4A)

2019 offensive statistics

• 1 returning starter
• Spread offense

Returning offensive starters

• George Lamb (OL)

Offensive newcomers to watch

• Bronson Barben (QB)
• Shea Anderson (WR)
• Easton Ellett (WR)
• Josh Stephan (WR)
• Beau McGiven (WR)
• Carson Greer (WR)
• Josh Barney (WR)
• Alex Maycock (RB)
• Tim Uyleman (RB)
• KC Erickson (OT)
• Honor Alo (OT)
• Dallin Alldredge (OG)
• Broc Reese (OG)
• Dylan Esplin (OL)

Coach Monkres’ keys for offensive success in 2020:

“It’s going to start up front. We’re going to have to protect Bronson. He can move around in the pocket, but he’s not going to take off and go 80 yards on you. They’re going to have to protect him and we’re going to have to get the ball out quick so we’re not taking sacks. Offensive line takes a lot time to work out everything you need to up front, so if we can take care there we have receivers who are capable of catching the ball.”

Dixie Defensive Snapshot

Defensive coordinator: Rick Berry

2019 defense: 21.7 ppg (6th in 4A)

2019 defensive statistics

• 8 returning starters
• 4-3 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Hunter Knighton (FS)
• Keilen Washington (CB)
• Truemann Alo (LB)
• Alex Maycock (LB)
• Honor Alo (DE)
• KC Erickson (DT)
• Brian Alegria (DT)
• Bode Ray (LB)

Defensive newcomers to watch

• Mamao Tofi (CB)
• Beau McGiven (DB)

Coach Monkres’ keys for offensive success in 2020:

“We have to not get overconfident. They all played last year and obviously think they’re going to be pretty good, and on paper they are, but they’re going to have to overcome that and make sure they keep working hard so they don’t fall off. I think sometimes when you start as a junior and then you get to that senior year, you think it’s just going to happen again, which isn’t the case if you don’t put in the work. I think the kids will do well. Rick (Berry) won’t let them mess around and will pay attention to detail.”

Deseret News outlook for 2020

Dixie’s run of four straight years earning at least a share of the Region 9 title ended in 2019, which realistically came down to just one point as it lost to eventual region champ Pine View 27-26. It’s tough to tell if 2020 will be a quick return to the top. In most of Dixie’s best seasons over the past decade, it’s been at its best with a dual-threat QB. This year’s QB is more of a pocket passer, which changes the look and feel of Dixie. When push comes to shove, Monkres’ teams usually find a way to get things done in Region 9.

Felt’s Facts for Dixie

• All-time record: 452-253-6 (75 years)

• Region championships: 27 (1949, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 co, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1991 co, 1994 co, 2009 co, 2013, 2015 co, 2016, 2017, 2018)

• Playoff appearances: 46
• All-time playoff record: 66-38

• State championships: 8 (1957, 1967, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1998, 2012, 2014)
• State championship record: 8-4

• Most played rivalry: 90 meetings with Cedar dating back to 1949. Dixie leads 57-33.


Last 5 Seasons

• 2019 — 9-3 (6-1 in Region 9 – 4A Semifinals)
• 2018 — 11-2 (6-0 in Region 9 – 4A Runner-up)
• 2017 — 10-2 (6-0 in Region 9 – 4A Quarterfinals)
• 2016 — 7-4 (5-0 in 3AA – 3AA Semifinals)
• 2015 — 9-3 (4-1 in 3AA South – 3AA Runner-up)

Dixie coaching history


• 2018-current — Blaine Monkres (20-5)
• 2015-2017 — Andy Stokes (16-7)
• 2008-2014 — Blaine Monkres (54-27) *2 State Titles
• 2002-2007 — Jake Nelson (35-31)

• 2000-2001 — Ray Odette (3-14)

• 1997-1999 — Mike Smith (16-18) *1 State Title
• 1993-1996 — Jerry Dyer (21-17)

• 1975-1992 — Ray Odette (104-69)

• 1949-1974 — Walter Brooks (168-56) *5 State Titles
• 1935 — Lloyd “Gus” Shields (1-2)


Deseret News All-State Archives

Check out our archives of Deseret News all-state teams from 1929 to 2019 at Deseret.com.

Dixie All-State at-a-glance

Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years


• 2014 — Ammon Takau, QB
• 2012 — Blake Barney, QB


Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years


• 2019 — Preston Moore, FB
• 2019 — Kaiden Faumuina, DE
• 2018 — Conner Walden, DT
• 2018 — Jake Staheli, LB
• 2018 — Tyler Walden, CB
• 2017 — Sam Westfall, CB
• 2017 — Payden Harrah, WR
• 2017 — Hobbs Nyberg, WR
• 2016 — Jacob Barben, QB
• 2016 — Hobbs Nyberg, WR
• 2016 — Tyson Fisher, DE
• 2016 — Malakai Fakahua, MLB
• 2015 — Zak Harrah, QB
• 2015 — Tre Miller, RB
• 2015 — Jeff Martinez, DL
• 2014 — Bret Barben, WR
• 2014 — Jaxon Davis, OL
• 2014 — Jeff Martinez, DL
• 2014 — Jaden Harrison, DB
• 2014 — McLane Keenan, K
• 2013 — Drew Batchelor, WR

• 2013 — Gavin Graff, OL

• 2013 — Braxton Ipson, DL

• 2013 — Tanner Webster, DB

• 2012 — Drew Batchelor, WR

• 2012 — David Teaupa, OL

• 2012 — Jesse Lambert, DL

• 2012 — Tyson Graff, DB

• 2011 — Austin Barker, K