The 2021 high school boys lacrosse season gets underway this week for teams across the state. After last year’s canceled season — in what was supposed to be lacrosse’s first as a sanctioned UHSAA sport — the anticipation for the 2021 season is sky high.
To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 5A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches’ preseason projections.
Here are the 5A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 5
1. Farmington Phoenix
Head coach: Christian Taylor
Top contributors:
- Davis Roche, Attacker, Sr.
- Cole Beynon, Midfielder, Sr.
- Colton Thomas, Defender, Sr.
- Marcus Ball, Midfielder, Jr.
Coach comment
“With the leadership and camaraderie that our team has developed, we have very high expectations for this season! There are a lot of great teams and we’re excited to join the ranks of other sanctioned sports and continue to grow the game.”
2. Bountiful Braves
Head coach: Peter Jordan
Additional information not provided.
3. Bonneville Lakers
Head coach: Dan Stuart
Additional information not provided.
4. Viewmont Vikings
Head coach: Don Stringham
Top contributors:
- Tommy Fraser, Goalie, Jr.
- Zach Allington, Defender, Jr.
- Tanner McCurdy, Midfielder, Sr.
- Abe Salmon, Midfielder, So.
- Noah Horsley, Attacker, Sr.
- Mason Hepworth, Attacker, Sr.
Coach comment
“Adjusting expectations from a club to a sanctioned sport. Such as sharing locations and student-athletes in the crowded spring sports season. We are a young team learning to work as a unit. Putting in the best effort possible and leaving it all on the field.”
5. Woods Cross Wildcats
Head coach: Josh Hanks
Additional information not provided.
6. Box Elder Bees
Head coach: Damon Andreasen
Additional information not provided.
Region 6
1. Brighton Bengals
Head coach: Chris O’Donnell
Top contributors:
Carter Budge, Midfielder, Sr.
Marcus Gunderson, Goalie, Sr.
Jordan Henderson, Defender, Sr.
2. Olympus Titans
Head coach: Nick Merrell
Top contributors:
- Hutton Murphy, Attacker, Jr.
- Tyler Thompson, Defender, Sr.
- Ethan Hartsfield, Midfielder, So.
- Jack Wall, Defender, Sr.
- Camden Rossi, Midfielder, Jr.
Coach comment
“The boys have worked very hard this offseason and are itching to get back out on the field. We are welcoming out about 28-30 freshmen players to the team this year which is very exciting for the growth and trajectory of our program! We have a challenging 14-game schedule ahead of us so it will be exciting to see how the young players come in and mesh with the older players to get it done! The coaches and players are all more than ready to get after it this year and compete.”
3. East Leopards
Head coach: Adam Eddinger
Top contributors:
- Sau Tafisi, Defender, Sr.
- Leo Plute, Midfielder, Sr.
- Will Freedman, Defender, Sr.
- Preston Evans, Attacker, Sr.
- Isaac Florence, Midfielder, Sr.
Coach comment
“After the abrupt end to the season last year, we are beyond excited to get back on the field and compete. Our hard work this year honors the sacrifice of the class of 2020. Go Leopards.”
4. Skyline Eagles
Head coach: Joe Sanchez
Top contributors:
- Max Parker, Midfielder, Sr.
- Rex Merrill, Attacker, Sr.
- Will Schofield, Defender, Sr.
- Noah Eldredge, Midfielder, Sr.
- Davis Grant, Attacker, Sr.
- Britton Brown, Midfielder, Jr.
- Pat McNally, Midfielder, Fr.
Coach comment
“The creators game is a game of passion, history and fluidity. The growth of the game is great to watch, the competition is enjoyable and we are simply excited to be back on the field to celebrate our players successes. This year will be challenging playing all road games because of the construction at Skyline’s stadium but, after the cancellation of last season our players are excited to be back on the field with their brothers competing.”
5. Highland Rams
Head coach: Neil Blaney
Additional information not provided.
Region 7
1. Mountain Ridge Sentinels
Head coach: Trent Bangert
Top contributors:
Dallin Turner, Defender, Sr.
Gage Gann, Goalie, Sr.
Keaton Jex, Attacker, Sr.
Jack Crawford, Midfielder, Sr.
David Wright, Attacker, Jr.
Dylan Ballard, Faceoff, Sr.
Liam Christensen, Attacker, Sr.
Cameron Brundage, Defender, Sr.
Coach comment
“We are excited to get to play a full season and introduce the state to what Mountain Ridge lacrosse is about.”
2. Timpview T-Birds
Head coach: Taylor Redd
Top contributors:
- Joseph Ivins, Midfielder, Sr.
- Cooper Johnson, Faceoff Specialist, Sr.
- Isaac Pestana, Defender, Sr.
- Devin Halversen, Attacker, Sr.
- Finn Thompson, Midfielder, Sr.
Coach comment
“We are excited for this year’s team. We are led by a great senior class that has 16 seniors. They’ve worked incredibly hard and we’re excited for them to show that hard work this season.”
3. Alta Hawks
Head coach: Brandon Horoba
Top contributors:
- Rogan Babka, Midfielder, Sr.
- Cody Allen, Defender, Sr.
- Aiden Swanson, Midfielder/Attacker, Sr.
- Berkley Horoba, Attacker, So.
- Tyler Parry, Goalie, Sr.
Coach comment
“Really looking forward to getting back on the field and letting these kids play. They all worked so hard last year to have it come to an abrupt end so happy to be getting back out there. Should be a fun season with a lot of talent spread throughout the league. Will be a lot of kids who surprise people and a lot of kids who are going to prove the hype is real.”
4. Timpanogos T-Wolves
Head coach: Toby Ryan
Additional information not provided.
5. Lehi Pioneers
Head coach: David Moreau
Additional information not provided.
6. Orem Tigers
Head coach: Josh Kinney
Top contributors:
- Josh Fraser, Midfielder, Sr.
- Kimball Hatch, Midfielder, So.
- Jacob Hemmert, Attacker, Jr.
Coach comment
“I am excited for this season. I have some great guys on my team and they deserve to have a good season after the cancellation last year. We have an interesting blend of some guys who have played before and others who are just learning how to play. It should be a fun year.”
7. Mountain View Bruins
Head coach: Adam Smith
Coach comment
“Looking forward to the first real year of working on building a solid base for future Mountain View High School teams to build upon. Lacrosse is here to stay.”
Region 8
1. Park City Miners
Head coach: Michael Persky
Top contributors:
- Tyler Vendetti, Attacker, Sr.
- Cole Ward, Attacker, Sr.
- Keller Hopkins, Defender, Jr.
- Gavin Beichner, Defender, So.
Coach comment
“After a year of lockdown the boys are just eager to get on the field play some games.”
2. Wasatch Wasps
Head coach: Chris Baer
Additional information not provided.
3. Maple Mountain Golden Eagles
Head coach: Ryan Waycasy
Additional information not provided.
4. Spanish Fork Dons
Head coach: Jesse Thorpe
Additional information not provided.
5. Provo Bulldogs
Head coach: Jordan Gardner
Additional information not provided.
6. Springville Red Devils
Head coach: Jared Ottley
Top contributors:
- Karson Norman, Attacker, Sr.
- Preston Roberts, Attacker, Sr.
- Zac Mitchell, Attacker, Sr.
- Cameron Ottley, Defender, Sr.
- Jackson Rapier, Midfielder, Sr.
Coach comment
“We are excited for our first year of lacrosse at Springville. More than anything this year we are playing to bring the excitement of the game to our community and building for the future. We are building around a core set of players from the Warriors Club program and untapped talent who didn’t have access to the game before. We want to build a program that honors the spirit of the game but that is thought of as a competitive team that is unafraid to challenge anyone in the state. Keep an eye on the explosive growth of lacrosse in South Utah County.”
7. Salem Hills Skyhawks
Head coach: Ryan Dalton
Top contributors:
- Mitchel Kimber, Goalie, Sr.
- Landon Buttars, Midfielder, Jr.
- Tait Ising, Defender, Sr.
- Christian Shuler, Midfielder, So.
- Bryson Leary, Midfielder, Sr.
Coach comment
“I am just really excited for the opportunity that we have this year to start this program. We feel like this team can really come out and compete every week.
8. Payson Lions
Head coach: Daniel Sisneros
Top contributors:
- Taeton Boren, Attacker, Jr.
- Jeff Durrant, Defender, Sr.
- Chandler Loveless, Midfielder, So.
- Wesley Menlove, Midfielder, Sr.
- Caden Rowley, Defender, Jr.
Coach comment
“This is the first year lacrosse is being played in Payson and our entire 40-man roster is new to the sport. This has us very excited for a year of firsts in this upcoming season. We are looking forward to learning the game better, improving as a team and competing in each game.”