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NORTH SEVIER WOLVES

The Hurry-up — North Sevier finished 2-8 in 2015, and 0-5 in league play.

New Wolves coach Devin Lindley subscribes to the idea that it all starts in the weight room. Following four years as the offensive line coach under Les Hamilton at Pleasant Grove, Lindley moved south to North Sevier with the implicit intention of changing the work ethic of the kids involved, and, consequently, their mentality. "The guys are embracing my philosophy and the program," Lindley said. "I think our goals and the vision we have is to be the best that we can. From my understanding, we just kind of got away with whatever in the past, and now we want to do things right."

When a new coach takes over a team that has struggled recently, it's looked at as a rebuild, but Lindley was adamant that is not the case when it comes to the Wolves. He's put together a capable staff that should push the program to improve immediately.

Quarterbacks — Stockton Anderson succeeds his older brother Fisher – a four-year starter – in taking over control of the huddle as a sophomore. An athletically gifted, intelligent player, Lindley said he's been impressed with how quickly Anderson has grasped the new spread, no-huddle attack. Ryan Higgs, who led North Sevier to the 1A state championship as head coach in 2008, is tutoring Anderson as the quarterbacks coach.

Running backs — Noah Porter and Porter Butterfield are seniors and will handle the majority of the work. Porter has added weight over the offseason to add power to his running style, while Butterfield is a bit quicker. The duo will fit well in the altered offense.

Receivers — Brooks Micklesen and Cody Christenson are still young but offer tall targets for Anderson in the passing game. Makay Peterson is one of the strongest players on the team and is moving from running back to slot receiver. Chase Rasmussen will also see time — likely in the slot.

Offensive linemen — Akir Rowe is one of the leaders on the team and will lock down the left guard spot. Branson Honeycutt is a solid left tackle, and Dakota Davis or Drake Quarenberg will start at center. Dakota Merchant will hold down right guard, while fellow senior Alex Hales has embraced his move from linebacker to right tackle.

Defensive linemen — Rowe is an experienced defensive tackle who will be one of the keys for the Wolves in stopping the run. Porter will provide much of the pass rush on the end. The rest of the front in North Sevier's 4-3 base, which is occasionally adjusted to be a 4-2-5, is still filling out.

Linebackers — Butterfield, Hales and Peterson pursue the ball and tackle well from their linebacker positions. They offer a dimension of toughness to the defense as well.

Defensive backs — Braidon Johnson is a talented corner who has the ability to cover a lot of ground without losing track of his assignment. He's not the tallest, but makes up for it in technique. Christenson and Micklesen will play the safety positions in Wyatt Mason's first year as defensive coordinator after two years as the offensive coordinator.

Key Players

Noah Porter, RB/DE — A strong back with good footwork, Porter is posed for solid campaign running the ball and adding to his sack total.

Akir Rowe, OL/DL — Rowe is the type of player that any new coach would love — a humble guy who takes his coach's instructions to heart and makes sure his teammates do as well.

Makay Peterson, WR/LB — Peterson understands what Lindley is saying when he tells his team the weight room is where it all begins. He's added muscle and looks the part of a menacing linebacker, while he'll also be a benefactor in an enhanced passing game.

Key Losses

Fisher Anderson, QB/DB — A second-team all-state selection, Anderson was the star offensively for the Wolves.

Preston Snyder, TE/S — Snyder brought toughness to both sides of the ball, and it earned him a spot amongst the all-state honorable mention.

Name To Know: In picking up a brand new offense without a lot of difficulty, Stockton Anderson has showed that he's not only learned from his brother but is ready for the spotlight. He'll be asked to stay in the pocket and make plays with his arm, and it could be a breakout year for the young passer.

2016 Schedule

Aug. 19 — PAROWAN, 7 p.m. (Won, 42-0, in 2015)

Aug. 26 — at Gunnison Valley, 7 p.m. (Won, 24-21)

Sept. 2 — MILFORD, 7 p.m. (Lost, 46-0)

Sept. 9 — AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, 7 p.m. (Lost, 34-14)

Sept. 16 — at Enterprise, 7 p.m. (Lost, 43-20)

Sept. 23 — GRAND, 7 p.m. (Lost, 62-0)

Sept. 30 — at Beaver, 7 p.m. (Lost, 48-0)

Oct. 7 — at San Juan, 7 p.m. (Lost, 69-0)

Oct. 14 — SOUTH SEVIER, 7 p.m. (Lost, 27-20)

Verdict: North Sevier is headed in the right direction, with an infrastructure in place that will lead to future success. How far off that success is depends on how some of the younger players develop and deal with adversity.

Projected finish in region:  Fifth