Region 9 preview part 1: Six months out
The Latest UHSAA realignment brought sweeping changes to regions all across the state. Region 10 was one of the few unaffected, with all sevens teams from a year ago staying together. The one thing that did change about the region…
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Continue ReadingThe Latest UHSAA realignment brought sweeping changes to regions all across the state. Region 10 was one of the few unaffected, with all sevens teams from a year ago staying together. The one thing that did change about the region was its number. What was Region 10 is now Region 9. Four of the seven teams in the new look Region 9 won over six games. Both teams in the 4A championship also hailed from the region. With so many new teams reclassifying from the 5A to 4A, each Region 9 team will have to raise their game to continue to succeed. Region 9 will still be one of the most competitive stats, with multiple teams having a shot at the Region crown.
Desert Hills Thunder
The Thunder became state champions in 2022, but their path to victory was not easy. Desert Hills started their season with two great wins against Region 5 foes Brighton and Cedar Valley. However, after their early season success, the Thunder would lose three of their next five games. Deseret Hills could have let their season go off the rails, but head coach Rick Berry and his team would not be denied. The Thunder would become an unstoppable storm as they decimated their opponents for the rest of the season. Desert Hills would win all six of their final games by at least two touchdowns, including their win in the 4A state championship against Crimson Cliffs. Heading into 2023, the Thunder lose some of their top players but have several returning as they look to repeat in November. Beau Wall will start after showing potential as a dual-threat quarterback in 2022. Receiver Javiyen Cummings should be in for a big year after scoring eight touchdowns on just 22 catches last year. Defensively the Thunder returned linebacker Cyrus Polu who was the team’s leading tackler as a sophomore in 2022. Deseret Hills will once again be a powerhouse in 2023, and they could repeat as state champions and capture the Region 9 crown.
Crimson Cliffs Mustangs
The Mustangs are undoubtedly motivated for the 2023 season after coming up just short in the 4A state championship. Crimson Cliffs started the season 4-1 with wins over Spanish Fork and their only loss coming at the hands of one of the states best teams in the Timpview Thunderbirds. The Mustangs would go 5-1 in Region 9 and claim the region title beating potent programs like Snow Canyon and Desert Hills along the way. The Mustangs would stampede through the playoffs until they lost to Desert Hills in the state championship game. Quarterback Steele Barben returns after tossing 38 touchdowns and throwing for over 3,00 yards. Leading rusher Mason Topalian and leading receiver Luke Childs also return to give the Mustangs one of the most high-powered offenses in the 4A classification. Crimson Cliffs returns their top three tacklers on defenses, including linebacker McKay Wright who had over 90 sacks in 2022. The Mustangs and head coach Wayne Alofipo could repeat as region champs and return to the state championship game with much different results.
Snow Canyon Warriors
The Warriors were one of the most potent teams in 4A last season. Snow Canyon may have started the season 1-2, but they quickly found their stride and won five of their next six games, including a win against Deseret Hills. The Warriors would finish second in Region 10 and go on to win in the first round of the playoffs against Green Canyon. Unfortunately, their seasons would come to an end at the hands of Ridgeline in the quarterfinals. However, the Warriors should once again be in the thick of the Region 9 race thanks to the return of backup quarterback Tank Kelly and running back Max Reynolds. Both players got valuable experience in 2022 and should be ready to lead the Warriors offense. Defensively Snow Canyon losses a lot of talent, but Tegun Whitehead returns and should lead the defense after making plays as a junior last year. The Warriors will no doubt retool and be right back in the thick of the Region 9 race in October.