Football season is finally back. And in the 3a South region, that means the return of familiar faces, as well as some new introductions to the landscape. This article will be a comprehensive look at all teams in the region, and what to expect when things get kicked off on Friday, Aug. 16.
Teams listed in alphabetical order.
Canyon View Falcons
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-3
Coach: Burke Miller
Previous Record: 9-3
Canyon View High School enters this season coming off two consecutive semifinal appearances, marking some of the best years in program history. But they also enter the season with significant losses to what was one of the most prolific offenses in 3a football. Losing quarterback Jaxon Jensen is a major hit, but stepping in to run the offense is senior Degan Davies, moving positions from wide receiver to command the Falcons. Last year Davies was second on the team in total touchdowns finishing the year with 12.
Canyon View is returning five starters, who did contribute heavily to the team’s recent successes. Leading the pack is senior star-receiver Bubba Ludlow, who was the Falcon’s receiving touchdown leader last year with 11.
On defense, the duo of Davies and Ludlow could stifle opposing offenses, with the pair combing for 14 interceptions. Up front, it’s going to be junior Colt Rushton leading the way for the Falcons, where in his sophomore campaign he recorded 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.
Carbon Dinos
Offense: Air Raid
Defense: 4-2-5
Coach: Bradon Rushton
Previous Record: 1-10
The Dinos enter the season under first-year head coach Bradon Rushton, who received the job following the retirement of Phil Howa. Carbon boasts one of the largest groups of returning offensive starters in the region with eight. Senior quarterback Stockton Kennedy looks to lead the offense following a season where he missed four games with injury. But in his seven starts, Kennedy was able to complete 45% of his passes for 658 yards and three touchdowns. On the outside, he will be aided by junior Maddux Wilson and senior Eleke Lang.
Defensively, the Dinos also return several starters with six. Headlining this group is all-state senior cornerback Deagen Richards, who recorded 56 tackles last season. Wilson will be pulling double duty, with last season proving a stout defensive end racking up five sacks.
Juab Wasps
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-2-5
Coach: Jake Downard
Previous Record: 6-6
Juab is attempting to return to their dominant ways of old after what by their standards could be considered a lackluster .500 season in 2023. It was just two years ago when the Wasps found themselves in the state championship game where they lost to Morgan 55-3. Jake Downard enters his second season as head coach, and offensively the Wasps return seven starters. The biggest advantage offensively for Juab is five of those starters are on the offensive line, creating one of the most experienced groups in the state.
Defensively the Wasps again return seven starters, with an opposite group this time receiving a bulk of the returners. Instead of the big men up front, the defense returns five starters in the secondary. This is massive for a team that last year forced 13 interceptions and looks to increase that number in 2024.
Manti Templars
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-2-5
Coach: Fred Taukei’aho
Previous Record: 10-3
Taukei’aho enters his second season as head coach of the Templars, following his debut where he helped lead Manti to a state championship appearance. The biggest factor for this offense is returning senior quarterback and first-team all-state member Maison Starkweather, who last season finished with 60 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. He also returns three wide receivers with varsity experience with juniors Stone Mortenson and Carter Mason and senior Trace Justeson.
Defensively the Templars return four starters, with both defensive end slots being filled by senior Lincoln Alder and Junior Mac Olsen. Alder ranked fourth in the state in total sacks with 19. Defensive consistency is going to be key for this team to find success this season, with a high-powered offense a retooled defense can provide Manti the keys they need to return to the state title game.
North Sanpete Hawks
Offense: Smash
Defense: 4-2-5
Coach: Tu Tui
Previous Record: 2-9
The Hawks are coming off a relatively disappointing 2-9 season following what was a run of dominance in the 2010s. But for second-year head coach Tu Tui, he looks to return North Sanpete to those days of glory. Defensively is where this will start for the Hawks, as they return nine(!) defensive starters from last season. Senior Middle Linebacker Taualoa ‘Odin’ Laupapa returns fresh off a season where he averaged 12 tackles a game for North Sanpete. Senior Corner Preston Madsen anchors the secondary, where he finished last season with four interceptions.
The offense is where the Hawks need to see the most improvement as they only tallied 121 points across the 2023 season. With five returning starters on this side of the ball, including senior center Damon Vogt and senior guard Luke Mower who look to be the driving force behind a run-heavy offensive scheme. Senior running back Kash Cook looks to be the wheels for the offense. He’s coming off a season averaging 43 rushing yards per game.
Richfield Wildcats
Offense: Spread
Defense: 3-4
Coach: Eric Thorson
Previous Record: 13-0 State Champions
Richfield comes into the season as the defending 3a state champions, besting Manti 27-21 in the final to complete the perfect season. And coming into this year the Wildcats do not look to be slowing down, with six starters returning to a stout offensive group. A receiving trio of seniors Gage Yardley, Malik Fautin and Griffin Wayman who combined for over 1,300 receiving yards last season looks to power the offense through the air.
Defensively is where Richfield shined last year, shutting down some of the most high-powered offenses in the state consistently last season. Returning five starters, the Wildcats defense will be led by senior linebacker duo Hayden Reed and Slate Reitz, a duo which last season combined for 91 tackles.