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TAYLORSVILLE WARRIORS

THE HURRY-UP

Taylorsville finished 7-4, 3-2 in league play, and lost to Riverton, 55-21, in the first round in 2014.

OFFENSE

Taylorsville is making the transition from what coach Rod Wells referred to as the "WAC" to the "SEC" of Utah high school football, where it will battle amongst the giants of Bingham, Brighton and Jordan. For the Warriors to have any sustained success against those programs, they'll need to increase their offensive production significantly. Taylorsville averaged slightly over 21 points per game, and while it enjoyed relative success on the ground, it faltered in the passing game.

Improving the aerial attack is now in the hands of 14-year-old quarterback Dane Leituala.

"He wouldn't be there if he didn't [have talent]," Wells said. "We're not that desperate, we have other kids — he's just been the one who has risen to the top. He's that good, and we feel like he gives us the best opportunity to continue that ascension."

Jace Simons returns as a speedy option on the outskirts, while Kingston Limutau hedges the backfield after rushing for 538 yards and four scores last season. Helping the skill players' cause are Ewan Tuinei, Danny Poleki and Saul Ramos, all of whom started in the trenches last season.

DEFENSE

Duplicating the success of last season will be difficult, considering Taylorsville only allowed a remarkable 95.6 yards per game through the air — the best mark in the 5A classification. Tama Wilson, Darnell Apelu, Archie Tuimalatu, Dylan Apelu and Eddie Ah-mu have the pressure of replicating that production in the defensive secondary.

Ethan Leituala is back at linebacker after leading the team in tackles, with 94 in 2014, but the headliner on defense is rush end Lyric Bartley, who has received substantial attention from collegiate recruiters.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Taylorsville has ascended to new heights under Wells' watchful eye, but this is a different scenario. The Warriors benefited from a weak region the past two seasons, which was illuminated by two exits in the first round. This year will be the true indication of how much this program has improved.

BIG SHOES

Mufi Hunt was arguably the highest-recruited football player in program history, eventually signing with Michigan State. The coaching staff is high on Lyric Bartley to continue the production on the defensive line.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 6

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Lyric Bartley (Sr.), 11-25-138-4, 1 TD

Rushing: Kingston Limutau (Sr.), 93 att., 538 yds., 4 TDs

Receiving: Jace Simons (Jr.), 17 rec., 229 yds., 2 TDs

Tackles: Ethan Leituala (Sr.), 94

Sacks: Wade Utai (Sr.), 3

Interceptions: Four players tied with 1

2014 RANKINGS

OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 7) CLASS (of 28)

Scoring: 21.1ppg 6 19

Rushing: 187.3ypg 5 9

Passing:  100ypg 5 21

Total: 287.3ypg 6 20

DEFENSE

Scoring: 22.9ppg 2 12

Rushing: 240.4ypg 6 24

Passing: 95.6ypg 1 1

Total: 336.ypg 4 19

COACHING BIO

Name: Rod Wells

Years with school: 4

Alma mater: University of Utah

PROJECTED STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: Dane Leituala (5-10, 185, Fr.)

RB: Kingston Limutau (5-11, 195, Sr.)

WR: Jace Simons (6-0, 160, Jr.)

WR: Chase Hess (Jr.)

WR: Josh Cox (5-6, 165, Sr.)

TE: Lyric Bartley (6-4, 240, Sr.)

LT: Ewan Tuinei (6-2, 250, So.)

LG: Danny Poleki (6-1, 350, Sr.)

C: Saul Ramos (6-0, 260, Sr.)

RG: Porter Anglesey (6-1, 230, Sr.)

RT: Ryan Larson (6-3, 225 Sr.)

DEFENSE

DE: Lyric Bartley (6-4, 240, Sr.)

DT: Ueseli Isileli (5-10, 220, Sr.)

DT: Danny Poleki (6-1, 350, Sr.)

DE: BJ Tuimalatu (6-2, 220, Sr.)

LB: Wade Uta'i (6-2, 230, Sr.)

LB: Ethan Leituala (6-0, 210, Sr.)

DB: Tama Wilson (5-6, 160, Jr.)

DB: Darnell Apelu (5-11, 190, Sr.)

DB: Archie Tuimalatu (6-0, 185, Sr.)

SS: Dylan Apelu (5-10, 205, Jr.)

FS: Eddie Ah-mu (5-10, 170, Jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Miguel Villalobos (5-6, 140, Sr.)

P: Kingston Limutau (5-11, 195, Sr.)

R: Eddie Ah-mu (5-10, 170, Jr.)

R: Jace Simons (6-0, 160, Jr.)

2015 SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time (2014 result)

Aug. 21, Murray, 7 p.m. (Won, 17-13)

Aug. 28, at Davis, 7 p.m. (Lost, 33-0)

Sept. 4, Timpview, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11, at Jordan, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18, Brighton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25, at West Jordan, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2, Copper Hills, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8, at Bingham, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14, Cottonwood, 7 p.m. (Lost, 20-17)