Region 9 Preview part 2: Six months out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region 10 only changed its number as all seven of its previous teams stayed together amidst the latest UHSAA realignment. In part one of our Region 9 preview, we looked at Desert Hills, Snow Canyon, and Crimson Cliffs. In part two, we'll take a look at the other four teams that will be fighting for the title of the premier team in Region 9.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dixie Flyers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flyers were a force to be reckoned with in 2022. Dixie secured a big upset in week two when they beat Riverton 17-13. The Flyers would finish the regular season 6-3 and 4-1 in region play. They beat Crimson Cliffs earlier in the year but would not get the chance to play them for a second time when they fell to Mountain Crest in the Quarterfinals. This spring, the Flyers will have to figure out who their next quarterback will be, but the return of athlete Jaxon Barben, who had over 140 yards on the ground and 560 yards receiving, will help the offense tremendously. Linebacker Jake Dombrowski returns to lead the defense after racking up over 80 tackles last year. Dixie head coach Blaine Monkres and his team are no doubt eager to return to the postseason and make a deep run in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar City Reds&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Reds 4-7 record was one of the states' most descriptive in 2022. Cedar City was a combined 11 points away from upsetting Spanish Fork, Snow Canyon, and Dixie. The Reds would go on to win a playoff game against Logan before falling to Crimson Cliffs in the quarterfinals. Cedar City was tied with the Mustangs at the half 14-14 before falling to them late, and the Reds are no doubt eager to get back to that position. Quarterback Koden Lunt and the Reds' top two running backs return to lead the offense. Wide receiver Ammon York is also back after leading the team in receiving yards in 2022 with over 550 yards on the outside. Jayden Orr returns and should be a force in the front seven after racking up four sacks last season. The Reds and head coach Josh Bennett are capable of upsetting any team they face in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hurricane Tigers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' season did not go as they had hoped in 2022. Hurricane struggled to find their footing going 1-5 in Region 10 play and 2-9 overall. As they shift into Region 9, the Tigers will look to turn things around. Hurricane was incredibly young in 2022, and the team returns their top three leading rushers from a season ago. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1555468' first='Gerritt' last='Grondel'] is also back after gaining valuable experience as a sophomore last fall. The Tigers also return their top two tacklers from a season ago with linebackers Kellan Pledger and Hunter Prince. Head Coach Cory Ashby and his team should take a step forward in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pine View Panthers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers struggled to put it all together in 2022. In Pine View head coach KJ Boyer's first year, the Panthers were 0-9. However, pine View should get its program trending in the right direction in 2023. The Panthers return their top five leading receivers, including [player_tooltip player_id='546926' first='Brock' last='Harris'], who dominated on the outside with over 600 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2022. Running back Alex Sanchez is also back after leading the team in rushing last season. In addition, Linebacker Teancum Jensen is back after leading the team in tackles, and so is Caden Nelson, whose five sacks led the Panthers last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->