Region 11 preview part 1: six months out

After a .500 season in 2022, the Auburndale Bloodhounds are working overtime to improve in a very tough and competitive Polk County.

JT Wistrcill

March 1, 2023 @ 01:41 PM

Region 11 was the only region in the state to remain completely unchanged. All six teams that called the region home stayed put, and they even kept the Region 11 designation. Region 11 was also the only region in the state to have every team win at least one region game in region play. In 2023 the region will be one of the states most competitive as each team will be vying for a chance at the Region 11 crown. The region features too many talented teams to break down at once, so we broke our Region 11 preview into two parts. In part two, we will discuss Mountain Crest Ridgeline and Sky View.    Logan Grizzlies    The Grizzlies had an up-and-down season. Logan was 2-3 in region play and 5-6 overall. They would fall in the first round of the playoffs to Cedar City, but there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to the Grizzlies in 2023. Running back Tytan Mason is back after leading Logan in rushing yards with over 760 last year. Starting quarterback Keaton Pond also returns after throwing for over 1,440 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022. Defensive back Cooper Redd returns to lead the defense after accumulating four interceptions last year. Head coach Bart Bowen and Logan will be a tough out to any team they take on in 2023.   Bear River Bears    The Bears struggled to put it all together in 2022. Bear River was 1-4 in region play and 3-8 overall. The Bears did pick up a late-season win against Salem Hills to give them some momentum going into their first-round matchup with Mountain Crest, but the Mustangs would knock them out of the playoffs. Head coach Trampis Waite and his Bears will regroup and look to have a stronger season this fall. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1302544' first='Tydon' last='Jones'] and receiver Jace Roberts are both back after leading Bear River in rushing and receiving yards last season. Linebacker Aiden Wilson is also back after racking up nine sacks to lead the Bears defense. With leading tackler Tyson Braegger also back, Bear River will be a fierce contender in the Region 11 race.   Green Canyon Wolves    The Wolves were 1-9 on the season but had four losses by one possession or less. Green Canyon was also in numerous other games and nearly upset some of the top teams in the 4A classification. The Wolves and head coach Craig Anhder are undoubtedly excited to get back to work and turn their luck around in 2023. Green Canyon will need to figure out their quarterback situation in the spring and fall camp, but whoever wins the job will have a reliable target in receiver Dewey Egan on the outside. In addition, the Wolves rerun their top two leading tacklers in Collin Gibson and Will Wheatley, who combined for over 140 tackles and 10 sacks. Green Canyon should be much improved in 2023.

Region 11 was the only region in the state to remain completely unchanged. All six teams that called the region home stayed put, and they even kept the Region 11 designation. Region 11 was also the only region in the state to have every team win at least one region game in region play. In 2023 the region will be one of the states most competitive as each team will be vying for a chance at the Region 11 crown. The region features too many talented teams to break down at once, so we broke our Region 11 preview into two parts. In part two, we will discuss Mountain Crest Ridgeline and Sky View.