5A- Region 6 Predictions

We've previews each team, now let's get to our outlook Region 6 Winner? Viewmont Vikings The Vikings have a chance to come out to a hot start and maintain that momentum once they hit region play. They have back to back tough region games starting September 19 with Brighton and then Bountiful the following week. They get both at home at that might be the key to the entire season, the home field advantage and getting two tough foes at home could help them win those games and give them the edge for Region supremency. Region 6 Runner-Up? Brighton Bengals The Bengals have a tough non-region slate of games to start the season. They might run into a few road bumps with Davis to kick off the season on Thursday, August 14, then games with Weber, Ridgeline, at Crimson Cliffs, and at Corner Canyon. After that gauntlet, they open region play on the road at Viewmont. After that, they might run the tables with the remaining schedule and ride that momentum into the postseason. Region 6 Contender? Bountiful Redhawks The Redhawks have a lot of turnover at key positions on both sides of the ball, and the new faces will need to step up. If they can gel and come together as a unit, they have every right to win the Region and look to defend their 5A state title. They were built to win it all last year and will need to lean on a heavy dose of the run game early. Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year    Palepoi is our Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year prediction. The Bengals were run heavy last year as they struck lighting in a bottle and rode the wave of the ground attack. Gone is that electrciity and the running back room is revamped. That paves the way for Brighton to return to their 2023 season when they leaned more on the passing game. Palepoi has done a tremendous job this offseason and he held his own against some of the state's best quarterbacks this spring in a few of the showcases, most notably the one held at Summit Academy where top teams were there such as Corner Canyon, Lehi, and Skyridge and the one at West where it featured West, Orem, Mountain Ridge, and Lone Peak. Each of the teams represented have top-tier quarterbacks and Palepoi more than held his own and each time I walked away impressed by him. The Bengals will look to lean on his arm talent and the signal caller in the 2027 class is primed to breakout this year and has every right to amass over 3,000 all purpose yards and make himself known in the state and garner recrutiing offers regionally. Big time year is ahead for the signal caller.    Region 6 Defensive Player of the Year    Willoughby is our Region 6 Defensive Player of the Year prediction, and he is a player who will lead a stout Viewmont defense. He draws double teams and still makes a play on the ball. He has good size, is quick off the line, and shows good play strength and functionality. He is a game wrecker and will look to get well over double-digit sacks this season. With Viewmont projected to be ahead early in games, he'll be able to pin his ears back and attack. Willoughby is an outstanding edge rusher and one of the best in the state. He'll help lead Viewmont to a deep postseason run and hopes of the 5A State title glory.    Region 6 Offensive Newcomer of the Year    Evans comes in from Twin Falls, Idaho and will look to garner the WR1 role for Brighton. He showed in Idaho that he has all the potential to be a top tier prospect in that state and comes in to a room that is still establishing itself. He has great size and overall speed for the boundary position. He's had a good offseason and has impressed in many camps. He's built a good rapport with his signal caller and he has a shot to get over 50 receptions and with his size, approach double-digit touchdowns. He is primed for an exceptional season.    Defensive Newcomer of the Year    Hargreaves has all the potential to be elite in his class and as a freshman should find his way onto the field and be part of the rotation for a stout defensive unit for Viewmont. He is advanced for his age and is someone who will chaos chaos on Thursday night's and it's possible that by the middle of the season he suits up on Friday nights and is part of that defensive line rotation. He's a name to know for years to come.    Honorable mentions to players we haven't discussed during our week-long look at Region 6.    Bywater is an exceptional backer, and his athleticism and nuance for the game will help lead Olympus to a postseason push. He shows good bend at the hip, has good speed, and is a backer that is just as effective attacking as he is in coverage. He's a complete player and will look to lead a strong defense.     Schuck has done well this offseason and will look to make the most out of his final season. He has good size and overall play strength. He moves well laterally and has good footwork. He gets to the second level on run calls and holds up well is pass protection. He'll look to get regional offers in recruiting with a strong final season.     Herrscher is a dual-sport athlete and that athleticism translates as he is an Offensive Lineman who moves well, is light on his feet and has good movement patterns. He shows good functionality and is a player with good bend and has good physicality to his game, he'll look to be part of a strong Brighton line that will make a deep push in the postseason.     Cruz is an athletic Offensive Lineman and he showcases good quickness and athelticism. He is light on his feet, does well in run blocking and will look to maul his defender and will get to the second level. In pass protection, he shows good leverage and has a strong base. He's part of a line that will do all the dirty work, and they get stronger as the game gets into the latter stages.     Matheson is an exceptional interior Offensive Lineman. He is light on his feet, moves well laterally, makes for an excellent pulling lineman and he easily gets to the second level. In pass protection, he holds up well and will look to chip and help out his fellow linemen. He's perhaps the unsung hero of that entire line.     Nusi is a versatile player who can line up on the front line on either side of the ball. He is best as an interior Offensive Lineman, and he showcases good strength and physicality. He has a strong base and has good leverage. He'll help that line at Alta and is a key player.     Ramirez transfers into Brighton and will be an interesting Defensive Lineman. He was an effective Defensive Tackle and will look to garner significant playing time this year with the transfer up. He has good quickness off the line, moves well, and has good play strength, he'll be a player to watch early on.     Taiese is a player to know for next season, but he should be part of the rotation this year for Brighton. He is a good athlete who moves well, has good play strength and is continuing to grow into his frame, he should garner more playing time and be an important piece down the line to eat up reps and help out that front line. He does well in eating up space and clogging up run lanes and does well against interior Offensive linemen. He's a player to keep tabs on this year as a potential breakout next year.     Eriksson has been an intricate part of the Viewmont line, and he'll be back to anchor the line for his final season. He has a good frame, will continue to grow into it and is an athletic mover with good side to side movement. His hands are quick and he does well in pass protection. He'll be a key part to give time for the offense to get their plays off and limit the defensive pressures.     Ames is an exciting EDGE rusher and on-ball backer. He has a good bend, moves well laterally and has a good quick acceleration. He sheds his blocks fine and showcases good physicality to his game.     Hawkins has all the potential to be a premier Running Back in his class. He'll make most of his impact on Thursday nights, but it's not impossible to think, he'll suit up on Friday nights and be part of the rotation for the Viewmont run game. He is a physical runner, with good vision, and will look to lower his pads and make an imprint on the game.    That concludes our look at Region 6.

We've previews each team, now let's get to our outlook

Region 6 Winner?

Viewmont Vikings
The Vikings have a chance to come out to a hot start and maintain that momentum once they hit region play. They have back to back tough region games starting September 19 with Brighton and then Bountiful the following week. They get both at home at that might be the key to the entire season, the home field advantage and getting two tough foes at home could help them win those games and give them the edge for Region supremency.

Region 6 Runner-Up?

Brighton Bengals
The Bengals have a tough non-region slate of games to start the season. They might run into a few road bumps with Davis to kick off the season on Thursday, August 14, then games with Weber, Ridgeline, at Crimson Cliffs, and at Corner Canyon. After that gauntlet, they open region play on the road at Viewmont. After that, they might run the tables with the remaining schedule and ride that momentum into the postseason.

Region 6 Contender?

Bountiful Redhawks
The Redhawks have a lot of turnover at key positions on both sides of the ball, and the new faces will need to step up. If they can gel and come together as a unit, they have every right to win the Region and look to defend their 5A state title. They were built to win it all last year and will need to lean on a heavy dose of the run game early.

Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year