Region 3 Preview: Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new look Region 3 is home to some of the state's top teams from 2022. With three teams that have won state championships in the past two years, it can be easy to overlook the other teams that make Region 3 so formidable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Fork Caveman&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American Fork is one of the state's most underrated teams heading into the 2023 season. The Cavemen are loaded at every position and will be a tough out for every team they face off against this fall. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='578460' first='David' last='Gaisford'] possesses exceptional accuracy and a powerful arm. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='406984' first='Josh' last='Andrus'] is one of the state's top pass catchers, and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='549774' first='Jett' last='Nelson'] gives Gaisford an elite vertical threat to target on the outside. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='681237' first='Dax' last='Watts'] leads the rushing attack with a stout offensive line creating rushing lanes for him. Defensively the Cavemen have one of the state's top defensive backs in [player_tooltip player_id='406963' first='Davis' last='Andrews']. Head coach Aaron Behm and American Fork will make waves in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove Vikings&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleasant Grove took a big step forward last year, and head coach Taylor Walkenhorst's squad will try and continue to build on that momentum this fall. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='698541' first='Carson' last='Rasmussen'] looks to lead the Viking's offense up and down the field for all four quarters each Friday night. Wide Receivers [player_tooltip player_id='875574' first='Tanner' last='Blake'] and Rasmussen will certainly connect on plenty of big plays this season. [player_tooltip player_id='402752' first='Spencer' last='Hafoka'] is one of the top athletes in the class of 2026 and should make plays in all three phases for the Vikings this season. Coach Walkenhorst and his squad scored plenty of points in 2022 and should do so again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westlake Thunder&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Thunder routinely struggled in Region 4 during the regular season but always made a run in the postseason. New Westlake head coach Arnold Ale will hope to earn his team a higher playoff speed by guiding them to more success in the Region 3 regular season. The Thunder should have a potent rushing attack with running back Conner Kistler and offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='406999' first='Max' last='Francom'] leading the ground game. Defensively [player_tooltip player_id='406991' first='Daniel' last='Washburn'] will lead the secondary against some of the state's top passing offenses. [player_tooltip player_id='705536' first='Nusi' last='Taumoepeau'] is a playmaking defensive lineman who can wreck gamelans. The Thunder will be a tough out this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->