Region 1: Six Months Out
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Region 1 was one of the best in the state in 2022. Four of the returning six teams won a playoff game, and that doesn’t even include Syracuse, who was upset at home in the first round after winning the…
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Continue ReadingRegion 1 was one of the best in the state in 2022. Four of the returning six teams won a playoff game, and that doesn’t even include Syracuse, who was upset at home in the first round after winning the Region. The UHSAA Realignment means the Clearfield Falcons have moved to 5A, joining Region 5, but the rest of the teams in Region 1 have retooled and are ready for action. With spring ball just a few weeks away, here are how the teams stack up a little less than six months out of the return of high school football.
Syracuse Titans
The Titans finished Region one play 6-0, but that seemed unlikely when they started 0-2 in non-conference games. Syracuse lost back-to-back tight games to Riverton and Brighton. Lesser teams could have let this spiral out of control but not head coach Mike Knight and his Titans. Syracuse wouldn’t lose another game in the regular season, going 8-0. The Titans closed Region play with a showdown against one of the state’s top teams in the Farmington Phoenix. Syracuse showed how dominant they could be with a 40-20 victory on senior night. The Titans would go on to lose in the first round of the playoffs to a pesky Lone Peak, but they have quite a few players coming back who are no doubt hungry to make it back for postseason redemption. The Dynamic duo of quarterback Jake Hopkins Jake Hopkins 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Syracuse | 2024 State UT and Kobe Bennett Kobe Bennett 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Syracuse | 2024 State UT return to lead the way for the Titans offense. Hopkins threw for over 2,270 yards, while Bennett rushed for over 720 yards, and the pair combined for 26 touchdowns. Receivers DJ Mayes DJ Mayes 6'3" | 165 lbs | WR Syracuse | 2024 State UT , 559 yards and five touchdowns, and Jake Metcalfe, 441 yards and two touchdowns, also return. Defensively the Titans lost their top six tackles, but they return the fierce defensive back duo of Keller Facer, and Jayden Perry combined for four picks in 2022. The Titans will have a chance to win the Region once again and then go on a deep postseason run.
Farmington Phoenix
Farmington started the 2022 season 7-0 and looked like one of the best teams in the state. Than they closed out the regular season 1-2, and questions persisted over whether they could make a deep postseason run. Head Coach Daniel Coats and his squad proved the doubters wrong with two dominant wins over Weber and American Fork to open postseason play. The Phoenix even lead against powerhouse Corner Canyon in the middle of the third quarter. They would go on to lose that game, but a 10-3 season and semi-finals appearance closed out an outstanding year for the Phoenix. Looking ahead to 2023, starting quarterback Easton Wight Easton Wight 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Farmington | 2024 State UT returns after tossing 41 touchdowns and throwing for over 3,150 yards. The Phoenix will also welcome back running back Travis Hoops, receivers Dante Coats and Dominic Coats, who each had over 200 yards receiving in 2022. Defensively the Phoenix lost some elite players at each field level but look for defensive linemen Marshall Morde to break out. Farmington will once again be a contender come November.
Davis Darts
Davis came up just short in the race for the Region 1 crown in 2022. The Darts were 5-1 in Region play, with their only loss coming against Syracuse. They handed Farmington their first season loss in a hard-fought 17-14. The Darts proved they could win in various ways with a high-flying offense and stingy defense in 2022. They started the season 0-2 after being outscored 82-0. Head Coach Scott Peery helped his team turn it around, closing out the regular season 6-2 and winning a wild playoff game against Riverton 55-50. Their run would come to an end at the hands of the eventual 6A state champions, the Skyridge Falcons, but there’s still a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to Davis football in 2023. Quarterback Jackson Stevens Jackson Stevens 6'5" | 225 lbs | QB Skyridge | 2024 State UT may be gone, but running back Josh Baker returns after going for nearly 500 all-purpose yards in 2022. He scored 10 touchdowns and will be the focal point of an offense that lost four of their top five most productive receivers from last year’s team. Defensively the Darts lost four of their top five tackles, but their leading tackler, linebacker Jacob Faerber Jacob Faerber 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Davis | 2025 State UT returns after recording 82 stops in 2022. Defensive lineman Jordan Taula Jordan Taula 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL Davis | 2024 State UT recorded six sacks last season, tied for the team lead. Davis can never be counted out in the Region 1 race, and they could surprise a lot of people in 2023.
Layton Lancers
The Lancers finished the 2023 season 6-5 and were close to 8-3. They lost to Davis and Farmington by a combined seven points. Layton scored more points, 286, than they allowed, 273, last season. If they had not had to run into Corner Canyon in the first round of the playoffs, they could have had the opportunity to make some noise in postseason play. Head Coach Fo Katoa’s squad returns a few key players that could make them a tough out in 2023. Running back Porter Cannon could be in for a breakout after rushing for 370 yards and three touchdowns a season ago. Tight end Easton McMillan should also be in for a big year after hauling in over 230 yards receiving. However, the Lancers will have to replace quarterback Tyler Wensel and star receiver/defensive back Elias Parksions if they hope to contend for one of the top spots in Region 1. Parksions was just one of the key players they lost on defense, but defensive lineman Jesse Chatelain is back, who flashed with four sacks in 2022. The Lancer’s path to success won’t be easy in 2023, but they will doubt give everything they have each Friday night.
Fremont Silverwolves
Under first-year head coach Clay Bayard, the Silverwolves finished the season 4-8. Their record is slightly deceptive as they had to take on some of the state’s best teams in the 5A state champion Lehi Pioneers and the 6A state champion Skyridge Falcons not once but twice. Fremont fought hard each week and never gave up. This mentality helped them get a road playoff win at the Granger Lancers. Looking ahead to 2023, the young Silverwolves could make some noise in Region 1. Leading rusher Brigg Granger is back, and he added over 55 tackles on defense. Quarterback Slade Parker Slade Parker 5'10" | 155 lbs | QB Fremont | 2026 State UT also returns after struggling as a Freshman, but he gained valued reps and should take a step forward in 2023. The Silverwolves lost their top two pass catchers from last year’s team, but junior receiver Jace Hadley could be in for a big year. Linebacker Christian Blanch Christian Blanch 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Fremont | 2023 State UT may be gone, but junior linebacker Brant Koford Brant Koford 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Fremont | 2025 State UT should be ready to lead the defense after accumulating 103 tackles as a sophomore in 2022. Coming off the momentum of a round-one playoff win, the Silverwolves should be even stronger in 2023.
Weber Warriors
The Warriors had a tough start to 2022, going winless the first month of the season, 0-5. Most teams would have folded in this position, but no Jayson Anderson group who closed the season 3-4, including a round one playoff win against the Roy Royals. Weber also faced a tough schedule last season, including showdowns with the Bingham Miners, American Fork Cavemen, Bonneville Lakers, Olympus Titans, and all the potent Region 1 teams. Quarterback Aiden Carter may be gone, but Tyce Abbot saw time as a Sophomore and could be in for a big year. Leading rusher Nakosi Swain Nakosi Swain 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Weber | 2024 State UT is also back after rushing for over 450 yards and six total touchdowns. Class of 2026 receiver Salesi Moa flashed as a freshman with over 935 yards and six touchdowns. Moa is one of the best receivers in the state regardless of classification and should terrorize defenses for the next few seasons. Defenders Tyler Payne Tyler Payne 6'2" | 200 lbs | TE Weber | 2025 State UT and Braylon Parker Braylon Parker 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Weber | 2024 State UT also return after combing for over 100 tackles in 2022. Weber could easily improve their 3-9 record with so many exciting young players on their roster.