Region 8 preview part 1: Six months out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 8 was completely altered in the latest UHSAA realignment. None of the previous five teams who called the region home remained as eight new teams were added into Region 8. In addition, teams from the old Region 7 and 9 were relocated to Region 8. All of these programs will also be reclassifying from 5A to 4A. None of these teams won their region last year, meaning the Race for the new look Region 8 crown is wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Payson Lions&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions played lights out in 2022. Payson finished the season 7-4 and 5-2 in Region 7 play. The Lions were nearly 9-3 if not for two losses by seven combined points. Payson's season came to a disappointing ending in their first round of the playoffs, but there's plenty to be optimistic about when it comes to the Lions in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='532690' first='Cooper' last='Swasey'] is one of the state's best-returning receivers after hauling in over 90 catches, over 1,350 yards, and 16 touchdowns in 2022. Quarterback Kade Edwards and receiver Dylan Wall also return, giving the Lions one of the state's top passing attacks. Defensive lineman Owen Cottle is back to lead the defense after accumulating eight sacks as a junior in 2022. Head Coach Arnold Ale and the Lions will look to capture the new-look Region 8 crown in his second year leading the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Provo Bulldogs&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs had one of the state's most deceptive records in 2022. Provo was 6-4 on the season and 3-2 in Region play, but they were nearly one of the top teams in 5A. All four of their losses last season came by four or fewer points, including their round-one playoff loss to Box Elder. Head Coach Kirk Chambers and his team return premium players on both sides of the ball as they retool and make a run at the Region 8 crown. Running back Tagai Lesa should be in for a big year after he averaged over 4 yards per carry in 2022 and scored 10 touchdowns in 2022. The Bulldogs will be looking for a new quarterback in 2023, but whoever wins the job will have the luxury of throwing to [player_tooltip player_id='406994' first='Drew' last='Deucher'] on the outside. Defensively the Bulldogs return their top four tackles to a team that only allowed 77 points in five Region 9 games. Linebacker Hutch Fale had over 90 tackles in 2022 and is one of the top linebackers in the class of 2025. Provo could win the Region 8 crown and go on a deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spanish Fork Dons&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dons were a tough out for every team they encountered in 2022. Spanish Fork finished the season 7-3 and an impressive 4-1 in Region 9 play. Spanish fork started the regular season 2-2 before winning their final six games. The Dons would lose a hard-fought playoff game to Wasatch in the second round. Spanish Fork is undoubtedly motivated to make it back to the postseason and show the 4A classification what they are capable of. Head Coach Dustin Smith and the Dons return starting quarterback Will Dart, the team's second-leading rusher. Look for running back [player_tooltip player_id='1565327' first='Kaden' last='Vest'] to break out in 2023 after standing out as a Sophomore in 2022. Defensively the Dons return [player_tooltip player_id='1207612' first='Eli' last='Mauga'], who was the team's third-leading tackler a season ago. Spanish Fork will be a contender for the Region 8 crown come October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->