Region 4 Preview: Six Months Out

With the latest UHSAA realignment, we saw significant shake-ups to each region in the state. No region was more impacted by these changes than Region 4. Gone are all the previous schools that made Region 4 the state's most formidable, and in are a slew of new programs. Region 4 also changed classifications from 6A to 5A. All the schools that make up the new-look region are also transitioning from 6A to 5A. All of these teams used to belong in Region 2 with the lone exception being West Jordan who comes in from Region 3. Some of these teams will be looking to win the new-look region, while others will try to get back on track.    West Jordan Jaguars   West Jordan will be in for a much different season in 2023 than in 2022. As the only team not from Region 2, the Jaguars will be matched up with several new region foes in 2023. Region 3 was arguably the state's top region outside of Region 4 last season, and the Jaguars handled the challenge well. West Jordan finished 3-2 in region play and 6-4 overall. The Jaguars started the season 5-1, and even though they lost in the second round of the playoff, they still earned a bye. Looking ahead to 2023, head coach Ron Halberts' squad welcomes back starting quarterback Dameon Crosby who had over 1,400 yards total years and 14 touchdowns last season. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1307275' first='Quinton' last='Tulau'] and Ikani Makafi lead a ferocious front, while defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='406979' first='Dimitri' last='Lovio'] is one of the state's top returning defensive backs. West Jordan should be considered the favorite to win the new-look Region 4 with so many star players returning for 2023.   Granger Lancers   The Lancers finished the best among all the other Region 2 teams to relocate to Region 4. Granger was 4-2 in their Region 2 season, including wins against all the teams listed below. Granger had a solid start to the 2022 season and entered their final regular season game 5-3 with a chance at the Region 2 crown. They may have gone on to lose that game and, in the first round of the playoffs, to a pesky Fremont team, but they could be set up for even more success in 2023. Sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='1309966' first='Chevas' last='Gregory'] flashed with over 400 yards of total offense and should be a force in 2023. The Lancers quarterback situation remains an unknown, but whoever gets the start will have one of the state's top receivers in, [player_tooltip player_id='532688' first='Landon' last='Figueroa'], lining up on the outside. Figueroa broke out in 2022 with over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was also a force on defense, with three interceptions to lead the Lancers secondary. Granger Head Coach Pala Vaitu'u has done an exceptional job, and even though they lose talent on defenses, they return three of their top four sack leaders. The Lancers have a great chance to capture the Region 4 crown and make a postseason run in the 5A classification.   Cyprus Pirates    The Pirates had the definition of a roller coaster 2022 season. Cyprus went 4-7 overall in a season that included multiple close wins/losses and blowout wins/losses. The Pirates were 2-2 against Region 2 foes now residing with them in Region 4. Head Coach Tyler Garcia returns arguably the state's top mobile quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='406988' first='Skyler' last='Armenta'], who rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Armenta is lucky to have our top-ranked offensive lineman in the class of 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='406956' first='Isaiah' last='Garcia'] paving the way for him on the ground and giving him time in the pocket. Look for running back [player_tooltip player_id='1312700' first='Tevita' last='Kofe'] to emerge in 2023 after nearly accumulating 500 rushing yards in 2022. On defenses, the Pirates return their top three leading tacklers. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1548290' first='Uha' last='Malekamu'] and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1294944' first='Manasa' last='Pela'] should help the Pirates right the ship in 2023. Cyprus has the talent to surprise people in the Region 4 race.   Kearns Cougars    The Cougars finished 2-9 as they struggled to find consistency during the 2022 season. Despite their struggles, last season Kears did have success against the Region 2 teams that relocated to Region 4 with them. The Cougars two wins in 2022 came against Hunter and Taylorsville. Kearns led going into halftime against Granger last year but couldn't continue their momentum in the second half. They did get blown out at Cyprus, but they played much better in the second half and have hung with the Pirates in years prior. Looking ahead to 2023, Kearns head coach Matt Rickards' program returns quarterback Bryce Benson who gained valuable experience starting as a sophomore in 2022. In addition, the Cougars return their top four leading rushers and two of their top four receivers. Linebacker Ryan Talo leads a Cougars defense that returns their top three tacklers from the 2022 season. The Cougars could be a tough out for any team they face this coming season.   Hunter Wolverines    Hunter started the season 7-0, but head coach Harold Moleni's squad didn't quit. They closed out the regular season 2-0 with wins against Taylorsville and Cyprus. 2022 may not have gone the way of the Wolverines, but there are plenty of reasons to expect the team to improve in 2022. First, they were also 2-2 against teams in Region 2 that have now relocated to Region 4. Offensively the Wolverines return their leading rusher Kenyon Paea who had 800 yards of total offense. Defensively the Wolverines return defensive back Luca Helfin and defensive lineman Siope Havea who both shinned in 2022. Hunter will also get back elite linebacker Ephraim Asiata back to help bolster their defense. The Wolverines should be much improved in 2023.   Taylorsville Warriors    Taylorsville got off to a great start in 2022. The Warriors won their first two games of the season and nearly started the season 3-0 if not for a narrow loss to Juan Diego 25-24. Unfortunately, that's where the positives ended for the Warriors, as they would not win a game for the rest of the season. Head coach Chris Rosales and his team are no doubt excited about the fresh start that comes with changing regions. The Warriors return multiple starters from last year's team who will be motivated to improve from 2022. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1207721' first='Cole' last='Kramer'] was just a sophomore last year and should be much improved this coming season. The Warriors lack difference-makers on offense but look for receiver Karsan Kirkman to break out. Defensively the Warriors return linebacker Brandon Gustman and several other defenders who will be ready to take on a bigger role in 2023. Taylorsville should fair much better in Region 4 than they did in Region 2.

With the latest UHSAA realignment, we saw significant shake-ups to each region in the state. No region was more impacted by these changes than Region 4. Gone are all the previous schools that made Region 4 the state's most formidable, and in are a slew of new programs. Region 4 also changed classifications from 6A to 5A. All the schools that make up the new-look region are also transitioning from 6A to 5A. All of these teams used to belong in Region 2 with the lone exception being West Jordan who comes in from Region 3. Some of these teams will be looking to win the new-look region, while others will try to get back on track.