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Two-a-days: Davis football preview

Prep Sports Overtime by Bill Oram and Kyle Goon

Published July 28, 2012 1:00 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Gone is Troy Hinds, the best defensive player in the state last season and one of the best players Utah has seen at the high school level in years. Way in the past is Tanner Hinds, the workhorse running back and Troy's brother.

In fact, when Ryan Bishop looks up and down his roster, he's encountering more inexperience than his program has seen in some time.

Don't fret for the Dart's however. They will still be competitive, still be a team that can get to the postseason and still be a team that can contend for a Region I title.

"We've done a lot of focusing on ourselves, and we've tried pretty hard to block out the inexperience thing," Bishop said. "We know that we're going to have to learn how to play at a high level right awayif we want to compete. We aren't buying into the hype. We're going to go out and play."

So how will Davis contend? Pretty much the way it always has.

With ball-control offense. With an unyielding defense. With timely plays at the right time, and with depth at every position.

Bishop is excited about the defensive potential of his team, despite the loss of Hinds. Expect the Darts to blitz and pressure their opponents. This has traditionally been one of the best teams in the state at forcing turnovers. That trend should continue.

LAST YEAR: 6-4, lost in the Class 5A first round to Jordan.KEY RETURNER: Jackson Peacock. The middle linebacker started every game for the Darts last season. His experience will be invaluable for a young, but talented, defense. PLAYER TO WATCH: Davis Seaman played every down on the JV team last year, and will be one of the few Davis players to go both ways. Bishop thinks he has a very high ceiling for improvement.BIGGEST HOLE: The offensive line graduated four starters last year. With the running game traditionally being the most effective part of Davis' offense, that may not bode well for the Darts.NEED TO KNOW: Brighton, Viewmont, Cottonwood, Hunter, represent Davis' first four games. That's a pretty tough beginning. Oh yeah — Syracuse at home is the first Region I game. A very tough schedule, indeed.SEASON OPENER: Hosts Brighton. Aug 17 @ 7 p.m.