In the three years of 8-Player football, there have been two champions: Gunnison Valley, who moved up to 1A football after just one year in the classification, and the Rich Rebels, the two-time reigning champions of the 8-Player class.
The classification did start off small, with only eight teams participating in the first year:
- Gunnison Valley
- Rich
- Monticello
- Water Canyon
- Altamont
- Whitehorse
- Monument Valley
- Utah School for the Deaf and Blind
Seven teams competed in the first playoff, which coaches knew was not a sustainable system and needed more teams to join. That happened in years two and three, with St. Joseph and the two military academies (Hilldale and Camp Williams) joining the class to improve the number of teams to nine. Gunnison moved to 1A and USDB dropped their programs.
This year alone, there will be three new teams in the 8-Player class, improving the team count to 12. Milford is dropping from 1A, while Panguitch and Escalante are creating programs and competing for the first time.
Rich comes in at No. 1 in the coaches’ preseason poll as the two-time reigning champions. It’s easy to rely on them as they have the talent and the numbers to compete year after year in the classification.
“No different than most teams, we lost some quality guys who have contributed to our team the last few years,” said Rich head coach Tyson Larsen. “While it is difficult to replace, I’m excited about the guys we have back. We lose playmakers but bring back some physical guys — particularly on the line — who should help set a tone of physicality for our team. With them and some hardworking, motivated newcomers, we hope to be competitive.”
Larsen is excited to see the league grow. Knowing that some smaller schools typically in the 1A ranks prioritize fall baseball over football, the additions of Panguitch and Escalante should show other schools it’s possible to manage both sports.
“It is awesome to have more teams joining the league, and I hope that more teams continue to join and improve as it will strengthen the league and create better competition for all teams involved,” Larsen said. “There has been discussion of a proposed idea of moving 1A Baseball to the fall. Without much knowledge of what sacrifices that would entail for those baseball schools, I’d be an advocate, as that also might bring more teams into the league and help those who are currently sharing athletes and trying to make both programs work in the fall. I’m all for getting more involvement.”
Coming in at No. 2 in the coaches’ preseason poll is a newcomer to the 8-Player classification in the Milford Tigers. In the past, Milford has been a competitive 1A school, going to the semifinals in eight of the last nine seasons in both the 1A and 2A classifications and having two championships and three appearances in the title game.
Milford coach Thane Marshall knows it will be an adjustment going from 11- to 8-player football, but he believes his team will adjust well.
“We are learning a whole new game,” he said. “We have had fun preparing for this new challenge and the kids are stepping up and are buying into what we are putting out there for them. My two coordinators have put a lot of work into making the switch for the kids as easy and painless as possible.”
With 12 total returning starters from last season, they’re hoping that the experience and maturity of the team will help the transition from 1A to 8-Player run smoothly.
At No. 3 are the Monticello Buckaroos, who have made the championship game every year of the 8-player classification, but have failed to capture the championship. Going 0-for-3 in the championship games is certainly a downer, but Buckaroos head coach Reed Anderson is ready to take that next step forward.
With plenty of returning talent and returning ten starters from last season, Anderson believes he has the experience needed to finally capture the title.
“We had a small senior class last year, but a class with a few stars that carried us far,” he said. “This year we will have quite a few seniors that we hope can build on last year’s success. Our juniors are few, but they are motivated and a few of them got on the field quite a bit last year. Our offensive line was all new last year and really came along. We return two of them, so we hope that can be a good foundation for us early in the year while we figure the rest out on the fly.”
At No. 4 are the Water Canyon Wildcats, who are onto the fourth year of their football program. Head coach Heber Horsley has led the program to the semifinals in all previous years, but he needs the program to finally break through and get to the championship game. Horsley knows that with only five seniors returning from last season, they will have to work in some new, unexperienced faces.
“We graduated 10 seniors from our team, five returning seniors,” Horsley said. “We will be younger and less experienced this season.”
Teams five through 12 in order of the coaches’ poll goes as follows:
- 5: Altamont
- 6: Panguitch
- 7: Whitehorse
- 8: St. Joseph
- 9: Utah Military CW
- 10: Utah Military Hillfield
- 11: Monument Valley
- 12: Escalante
St. Joseph, Utah Military Academy CW and Utah Military Hillfield are hoping to improve on their previous seasons after getting more experience. Panguitch and Escalante are hoping to be a little more successful than most first-year teams.
Panguitch is playing football again for the first time since 1975, and this is Escalante’s first year ever competing in the sport.
1A 8-player projections
(Preseason rankings are based on coaches’ votes)
1. Rich Rebels
Head coach: Tyson Larsen
The former all-stater from Rich High School is entering his fourth season as head coach after leading his alma mater to state championships in 2023 and 2024. His record the past three seasons stands at 23-14.
Tyson Larsen’s outlook
“No different than most teams every year, we lost several high-quality guys from our team last year and have a lot of big shoes to fill.”
“We are excited, however, to see the hard work, effort and energy coming from the incoming seniors and the other younger dudes in the program. While there will surely be some growth and learning due also to a growingly competitive league, we hope and believe we will be competitive with the motivated guys we bring back. We are excited for another year.”
Offensive coordinator: Tyson Larsen
2024 offense: 33.31 ppg (No. 5 in 1A 8-player)
- Three returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Dylan Fonnesbeck, Sr., W
- Easton Eborn, Sr., OL
- Boston Jolley, Sr., OL
Key offensive newcomers
- Karter Groll, Sr., RB
- Jett Holmes, Sr., QB
- Aiden Weston, Sr., WR
Defensive coordinator: Lex Cornia
2024 defense: 12.85 ppg (No. 1 in 1A 8-player)
- Four returning starters
- 2-2-4 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Easton Eborn, Sr., DL
- Boston Jolley, Sr., DL
- Karter Groll, Sr., LB
- Jett Holmes, Sr., DB
Key defensive newcomers
- Aiden Weston, Sr., DB
- Ryker Kirk, Sr., LB
2. Milford Tigers
Head coach: Thane Marshall
Marshall is entering his 12th season as head coach at Milford. He has a 84-45 record over that stretch, including back-to-back 1A titles in 2017 and 2018. He’s a graduate of Beaver High School and Southern Utah University.
Thane Marshall’s outlook
“We are learning a whole new game. We have had fun preparing for this new challenge and the kids are stepping up and are buying into what we are putting out there for them. My two coordinators have put a lot of work into making the switch for the kids as easy and painless as possible.”
Offensive coordinator: Wes Marshall
2024 offense: 29.25 ppg (No. 4 in 2A)
- Six returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Griffin Walker Sr., RB/WR
- Kyzler Merryweather, Sr., WR/RB
- Boston Sullivan Sr., WR
- Cannon Carter Sr., OL
- Skyler Russell Jr., OL
- Carson Chaney, Sr., QB
Key offensive newcomers
- Carson Chaney Sr., QB
- Slade Kesler, So., C
Defensive coordinator: Garland Walker
2024 defense: 12.58 ppg (No. 2 in 2A)
- 2-2-4 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Boston Thompson Sr., MLB
- Boston Sullivan Sr., S
- Griffin Walker Sr., S
- Braydon Carter Jr., OLB
- Trending Thompson Sr., DL
- Kyzler Merryweather Sr., CB
3. Monticello Buckaroos
Head coach: Reed Anderson
Entering his eighth season as head coach at his alma mater, Anderson has tallied a 40-40 record thus far.
Reed Anderson’s outlook
“We had a small senior class last year, but a class with a few stars that carried us really far. This year, we will have quite a few seniors that we hope can build on last year’s success. Our juniors are few but they are motivated and a few of them got on the field quite a bit last year.”
“Our offensive line was all new last year and really came along. We return two of them, so we hope that can be a good foundation for us early in the year while we figure the rest out on the fly. We are excited to see three new teams in the 8-player ranks and hope that more and more teams join and experience the joys of the game.”
Offensive coordinator: Reed Anderson
2024 offense: 36 ppg (No. 3 in 1A 8-player)
- Five returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Jackson Keyes, Sr., QB
- Peyton Hatathley, Sr., OG
- Seth Taylor, Sr., C
- Jaeden Camacho, Sr., WR
- Tommy Morrison, Sr., WR/TE
Key offensive newcomers
- Landon Shumway, Sr., RB
- Noah Dilts, So., OL
- Tristan Burtenshaw, Jr., OL
- Canyon Christensen, Jr., WR
- Cache Young, Jr., Ath
Defensive coordinator: Krieg Adair
2024 defense: 24.58 ppg (No. 2 in 1A 8-player)
- Five returning starters
- 3-3 defense
Returning defensive starters
- John Leber, Jr., MLB
- Peyton Hatathley, Sr., DE
- Landon Shumway, Sr., LB
- Jaeden Camacho, Sr., DB
- Tommy Morrison, Sr., LB
Key defensive newcomers
- Arturo Gutierrez, Jr., LB/DB
- Noah Dilts, SO, DL
- Tristan Burtenshaw, Jr., DL
- Cache Young, LB
4. Water Canyon Wildcats
Head coach: Heber Horsley
Led Water Canyon to a 14-20 record in the school’s first three years playing high school football. He’s a graduate of Centenniel Academy in Arizona and Mojave Community College.
Heber Horsley’s outlook
“We graduated 10 seniors from our team, five returning seniors. We will be younger and less experienced this season.”
Offensive coordinator: Heber Horsley
2024 offense: 37.5 ppg (No. 2 in 1A 8-player)
- Four returning starters
- Power Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Allen Hainline Sr., QB
- Adam Hammon Sr., WR
- Isaiah Barlow Sr., RB
- Mark Barlow Jr., C
Key offensive newcomers
- Justin Cooke Jr., TE
- Ayden Fisher Jr., G
Defensive coordinator: Reuben Timpson
2024 defense: 26.67 ppg (No. 4 in 1A 8-player)
- Four returning starters
- 3-3 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Adam Hammon Sr., DB
- Mark Barlow Jr., LB
- Isaiah Barlow Sr., LB
- Lester Jessop Jr., LB
Key defensive newcomers
- Justin Cooke Jr., DB
- Ayden Fisher Jr., DL
5. Altamont Longhorns
Head coach: Justin Busdicker
Busdicker is entering his first season as head coach at Altamont High School. He played his high school football at Morris Community High School in Illinois and graduated from UVU and SUU.
Justin Busdicker’s outlook
“We’ve had a great summer here at Altamont. The boys have been working hard in the weight room and on the field, showing up every day with the goal of getting better — stronger, faster and more prepared. They’ve really taken ownership of learning the playbook and pushing each other to improve. We’ve set some goals as a team and we’re excited for the chance to compete this fall and represent our school and community the right way."
Offensive coordinator: Justin Busdicker
2024 offense: 28 ppg (No. 6 in 1A 8-player)
- Five returning starters
- Triple Option offense
Returning offensive starters
- Breyden Jessen, Sr., QB/RB/WR
- Logan Nelson, Sr., RB/WR
- Parker Phillips, Jr., Guard
- Case Sorensen, Sr., Guard
- Kyson Miles, Sr., Center
Key offensive newcomers
- Payson Evans, Jr., QB/RB
- Dallan Ledbetter, So., QB/WR
- Logan Witbeck, So., C/G
- Colten Mullins, Sr., WR/RB
- Jax Sorenson, Jr., G
Defensive coordinator: Shelby Thayne
2024 defense: 35.09 ppg (No. 6 in 1A 8-player)
- Five returning starters
- 3-2 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Breyden Jessen, Sr., FS
- Logan Nelson, Sr., LB
- Parker Phillips, Jr., DE/N
- Case Sorensen, Sr., DE/N
- Kyson Miles, Sr., N/DE
Key defensive newcomers
- Payson Evans, Jr., LB
- Memphis Avila, So., CB
- Logan Witbeck, So., Nose
- Colten Mullins, Sr., CB/LB/DE
- Jax Sorenson, Jr., DE
6. Panguitch Bobcats
First year participating since 1975.
Head coach: Luke Allen
A graduate of San Juan High School and SUU, Allen is ready to lead the Bobcats in their first season of 8-player football.
Luke Allen’s outlook
“In the return of football to Panguitch High School, we aim to re-establish a successful football culture that builds for the future. Each week we will see improvement as we gain experience.”
Offensive coordinator: Luke Allen
Defensive coordinator: Jace Mecham
7. Whitehorse Raiders
Head coach: Andrae Beard
Beard is entering his third season as head coach at Whitehorse.
2024 offense: 34 ppg (No. 4 in 1A 8-player)
2024 defense: 33 ppg (No. 5 in 1A 8-player)
Additional info not provided by team.
8. St. Joseph Jayhawks
Head coach: Deshon Butler
Butler is entering his second season as head coach at St. Joseph High School after a debut 5-5 season a year ago. He’s a graduate of McLane High School in California and Weber State.
Coach Deshon Butler’s outlook
“We are reloading, with the loss of all but 78 of our 3,632 yards of our offense graduating. We are optimistic about this season as we return all of our linemen on both sides of the ball. We will be a young but very skilled team with only two seniors on the roster, but we are excited about this season as we have already been battle tested against some elite teams at the Montana State University team camp. Our future is bright.”
Offensive coordinator: Deshon Butler
2024 offense: 40.1 ppg (No. 1 in 1A 8-player)
- Five returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- Jesse Benson, Jr., Offensive Guard
- Daniel Anguiano, So., Center
- Ignacio Olvera, Jr., Offensive Guard
- Marshell Beatty, Sr., TE
- Izaiah Hebert, Jr., WR
Key offensive newcomers
- Ryan Castaneda, Jr., RB
- Quinn Vasquez, Jr., WR
- Madden Bentley, So., QB
- Hunter Roberts, Freshman, WR
Defensive coordinator: Deshon Butler
2024 defense: 26.4 ppg (No. 3 in 1A 8-player)
- Three returning starters
- Hybrid defense
Returning defensive starters
- Izaiah Hebert, Jr., CB
- Marshell Beatty, Sr., DE
- Ignacio Olvera, Jr., Nose guard
Key defensive newcomers
- Ryan Castaneda, Jr., LB
- Ryker Christensen, Freshman, DE
- Quinn Vasquez, Jr., S
- Hunter Roberts, Freshman, CB
- Ryder Lawson, So., LB
9. Utah Military Camp Williams Marauders
Head coach: Ephraim Schulte
Schulte is heading into his second season as head coach for the Marauders after leading the team to a 2-7 record a year ago.
Ephraim Schulte’s outlook
“UMA CW replaces two all-state linemen, but returns a slew of skill players in our second year as a program. We return our QB, alongside our two starting RBs, while having several starters and contributors returning on the defensive side of the ball.”
Offensive coordinator: Caleb Schulte
2024 offense: 21.56 ppg (No. 7 in 1A 8-player)
- Four returning starters
- Spread offense
Returning offensive starters
- David Shern, Sr., QB
- Tyler Muse, Jr., TE
- Jason Cordner, So., RB
- James Sullivan, So., RB
Key offensive newcomers
- Colton Pranger, Senior, OL
- Kirill Yazykov, Senior, OL
Defensive coordinator: Christopher Gomez
2024 defense: 45 ppg (No. 7 in 1A 8-player)
Five returning starters
3-2-3 defense
Returning defensive starters
Tyler Muse, Sr., S/DE
Justin Osamudiamen, So., LB
Nicholas Peggs, Sr., LB
Dylan Hennefer, Sr., CB
James Sullivan, So., CB
Key defensive newcomers
Keegin Bryant, Jr., LB/DB
Colton Pranger, Sr., DL
Ryder Hales, Jr., LB
10. Utah Military Hill Field Thunderbirds
Head coach: Jesse May
May led Utah Military Hill Field to a 2-5 record in his first season as head coach a year ago.
2024 offense: 21.14 ppg (No. 8 in 1A 8-player)
2024 defense: 48.29 ppg (No. 8 in 1A 8-player)
Additional info not provided by team.
11. Monument Valley Cougars
Head coach: Brad Upshaw
Upshaw is entering his fourth year as head coach at Monument Valley after leading the team to a 4-21 record over the past three seasons.
2024 offense: 9.14 ppg (No. 9 in 1A 8-player)
2024 defense: 54.14 ppg (No. 9 in 1A 8-player)
Additional info not provided by team.
12. Escalante Moquis
Head coach: Max Eager
Additional info not provided by team.