This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Do you hear that? Listen closely. In the distance (more so in our imagination) the faint found of Kool and Gang is playing:
"Celebrate good times, come on! Yahoo!"
Inhale. Exhale. Football is back. What always proves to be an agonizing offseason is finally nearing its end, with the high school season kicking off on Thursday, when Hurricane — one of the projected contenders in the 3AA classification — invades Skyline, which is expected to grapple for the Region 6 title, at 7 p.m.
The rest of the prep football world follows suit, with 50 more games on Friday, with several juicy games featured on the slate. While you frantically pace around your living room in anticipation — here are the top story lines to ponder until you're back sitting under the lights, and it feels like you'd never left.
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New faces, new rivalries • The UHSAA reorganized regions this season, including hopscotching programs from one classification to another. Sky View, Roy, and Mountain Crest are expected to contend in Region 1 after moving up from Class 4A. Davis, Syracuse and Viewmont are now in Region 2. Bountiful, East, Highland and Woods Cross joined Region 5, making it arguably the toughest in the 4A classification, while Alta (moving down from 5A) and Corner Canyon were placed in Region. 7. Two-time defending Class 3A champion Judge is jumping up to 3AA, while Logan (3AA) and Juan Diego (3A) are down one classification.
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Where is the parity? • Utah high school football has been rather predictable in terms of championships. Bingham (two straight), Timpview (three straight), Region 9 (four straight), private schools (two straight), South Summit (two straight), and Duchesne/Rich (six straight) have dominated their respective classifications in recent history.
Where is the parity, people?
Look for these programs to offer the best chance at interrupting ongoing dynasties: Brighton, East, Logan, Morgan, North Summit and Diamond Ranch.
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Prospects • Continuing the trend of producing next-level talent, the state is once again loaded with prospects gaining attention across the nation. If you want your money's worth on Friday nights, these are the senior players to watch: Brighton's Simi Fehoko (Stanford), Murray's Maxs Tupai (uncommitted), East's Loa Kaufusi (uncommitted), Bingham's Keaton Torre (uncommitted), Sky View's Bryce Mortenson (uncommitted), Timpview's Kahi Neves (Utah), Maple Mountain's Jaren Hall (BYU), Woods Cross' Braxton Gunther (uncommitted), Corner Canyon's Keaton Bills (uncommitted), Bountiful's Max Tooley (uncommitted), Salem Hills' Cooper Smith (uncommitted) and Cottonwood's Fua Pututau (uncommitted).
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Offense or defense? • The up-tempo, no-huddle offense is the sexy attraction these days, but does it equate to winning championships? Bingham, Timpview and Judge Memorial, although each scored point in bunches, were founded upon their defense last season.
Dixie, however, allowed more than 430 yards per game, but averaged 38.6 points en route to its second title in three seasons.
Want to watch offense? These players deliver every week: American Fork's Tanner Smith, Clearfield's Jace Haney, Murray's Drew Cash, Sky View's Garrison Beach, Dixie's Tre Miller, North Sanpete's Spencer Applegarth, Tooele's Ryan Brady, Logan's Hunter Horsley, Jordan's Spencer Curtis, Skyline's Riley Sharp and Orem's Chase Herrmann.
Prefer goal-line stands and the gritty, physical play of a dominating defense? These players are the darkside standouts: Riverton's Simeon Page, Park City's Grayson Maddux, American Fork's Nathan Honey, Desert Hills' Badge Morris, Bingham's Parker Workman, Logan's Troy Murray, Sky View's Jake Pitcher, Springville's Adam Rodriguez, Union's Henrique Moreira, Box Elder's Jarom Mecham and Timpview's Will Watanabe.
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Prep football season opener
O Hurricane at Skyline Thursday, 7 p.m.
Note • See Page C5 for Week 1 schedule.