Region 5 Preview: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Thursday and Friday, high school is back across the state of Utah. With that in mind, we wanted to preview some of the top teams in Region 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roy Royals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals are moving to the 5A classification and will instantly be one of the toughest teams to beat in Region 5. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='698478' first='Dru' last='Gardner'] is back and should be even better in his second year under center. Gardner possesses pinpoint accuracy and has a strong supporting cast that will help him maximize his skills in 2023.[player_tooltip player_id='698249' first='Robert' last='Young'] is one of the state's top athletes and can make plays in all three phases of the game. Jake Viers and Cole West are elite receivers and defensive backs. Offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='698343' first='Cade' last='Draper'] will make sure each of his teammates are given more than enough time to make plays. Box Elder head coach Chris Solomona and his team will be one of the premier teams in Region 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bountiful Redhawks&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redhawks have been a force in 5A for the last few years, and that won't change this fall. They have one of the state's top rushing attacks and execute exceptionally well on defenses. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='532694' first='Faletau' last='Satuala'] is among the state's best players regardless of position. He can play all over the defensive backfield and takes balls away at a high level. Linebacker Bringham Morrison is one of the premier players in 5A and an elite tackler. Head Coach Jason Freckleton and his squad have a talented roster on both sides of the ball that will make them a contender in Region 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Box Elder Bees&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bees are set to begin 5A in a new region, and they are capable of winning it in year one. Box Elder returners one of the state's top running backs in [player_tooltip player_id='532693' first='Daxton' last='Sumko']. His elite combination of strength and quickness makes tackling him extremely challenging. Starting quarterback Ryan Griffin is back to give the Bees two outstanding players to lead their offense. Defensively linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='532700' first='Mason' last='Jeppsen'] is one of the best pass rushers in the state. Head Coach Robbie Gunter and the Bees are loaded with playmakers all over the field who could help them contend for the Region 5 crown and potentially even more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bonneville Lakers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lakers are more than capable of knocking off any team they face off against his fall. Starting quarterback Jaxon Johnson is back after a strong 2022 season leading the Lakers offense. Johnson can beat defenses from inside the pocket and is one of the state's hardest quarterbacks to tackle in the open field. His connection with receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1552761' first='Isaac' last='Mansaray'] should be even stronger this fall, as will the Bonneville defense. The Lakers will be ready to face off against some of the top passing offenses in 5A, with defensive backs Tifaga Havili and Adam DeMille ready to break up plays. Lakers Head Coach Jantz Afuvai and his squad are well-equipped to make a run in Region 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->