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MILLARD EAGLES

The Hurry-up — Millard finished 5-6 overall, 2-3 in 2A North, and lost to Beaver in the quarterfinals of the 2A tournament.

A dozen years after he graduated from Millard High, Ethan Stevenson has come home to coach his old team.

And although Stevenson — who was an assistant at Dixie last season — inherited a team with a scarcity of returning experience, he's happy with the talent of this current edition of youthful Eagles.

"We really do have a lot of potential. We're young, that's for sure," Stevenson said. "But we do have good skill position guys and some size."

The new coach figures that youth at the offensive skill positions will be helped significantly by experience and physical stature on the offensive line.

"Our size is with the seniors and most are on the line," said Stevenson, who admits his first turn at being a head coach comes with some anxious moments.

"It's a lot more pressure, but I'm excited," Stevenson said. "I'm looking forward to bringing some of the stuff that I learned at Millard and then the stuff I've picked up since then."

Quarterbacks — Running the Millard offensive scheme, which can range from a wing-T to a spread, will be two underclassmen with similar attributes. Sophomore Hayes Monroe (6 feet, 150 pounds) and junior Jalen Robinson (6-0, 145) are expected to be the prime candidates at the signal-caller position.

Running backs — Carson Teeples (6-0, 180) will be the starter and receive the vast majority of Millard's rushing opportunities in its one-back offense. Like Teeples, Caleb Kelly (5-10, 160) is also a junior and will be counted on to supplement the running attack.

Receivers — Robinson, if not summoned to quarterback duties, will certainly see action from a slot position in the receiving corps. Tyler Marshall (5-10, 150) is also tabbed to be a consistent threat for whoever throws the ball. "We'll have a few other guys rollin' in," Stevenson said of his wide receivers.

Offensive linemen — While the O-line has the most seniors of any of the Eagles' units, young guns like sophomore Dillon Lund will get a chance for plenty of playing time. Lund, at 6-1, 195, has plenty of size for a sophomore and will probably be plugged in at center. "I think he has a lot of potential," Stevenson said. As for the seniors: Hunter Anderson (6-1, 170) is slated at guard, while Daniel Whitaker (6-0, 215), Jaden Sissons (6-1, 255) and Jack Imlay (6-0, 230) will vie for tackle spots. Also look for junior Hunter Gamble (6-1, 190) to provide some youth at the other guard position.

Defensive linemen — Lund, Sissons, Imlay and Gamble are also the chief candidates to start on the front line defensively for Millard. In the mix will also be Santos Garcia and Kaleb Rowell for playing time. "A whole lot of experimenting is going on there," said Stevenson, who plans on employing a four-man front, but is open to five down linemen. "My D-coordinator is having a lot of fun."

Linebackers — Stevenson, who was a linebackers coach at Dixie High last year, is having his own fun with this unit. Hunter Anderson got some experience in 2015 and will lead a group that includes Teeples, Kelly, Wardle and Koyle.

Defensive backs — The secondary will also have its fair share of players who are also being depended on offensively. Wardle, if not at linebacker, will man the defensive backfield along with Tyler Marshall and Jalen Robinson. "We're definitely going to go through some growing pains," Stevenson said.

Key Players

Jaxon Wardle, WR/LB — Wardle was the team's leading catcher a year ago and got experience receiving and running the ball.

Turner Koyle, WR/LB — Koyle (5-10, 160) is one of the fastest guys for Millard, and he'll likely be used in the slot position on offense.

Carson Teeples, RB/LB — A lower-back injury limited Teeples to just a few games during his sophomore season last year.

Key Losses

Kyler Rowley, QB — Rowley got the lion's share of passing attempts for the Eagles in 2015 and was also a threat to run the ball.

Derek Brunson, RB — His senior season was almost a thousand-yard rushing year for Brunson, who found the end zone 13 times on the ground.

Cole Whatcott, LB — Whatcott wasn't the biggest middle linebacker in the world in '15, but the Eagles will miss his plethora of tackles.

Name To Know: Tyler Marshall, WR-CB. Outside of the offensive line, Marshall is the rare instance of a senior in a position to lead the way for Millard's younger troops.

2016 Schedule

Aug. 19 — at Juab, 7 p.m. (Lost, 34-13, in 2015)

Aug. 26 — at Delta, 7 p.m. (Won 28-14)

Sept. 1 — Beaver, 7 p.m. (Lost 38-14)

Sept. 9 — at Enterprise, 7 p.m. (Won 13-12)

Sept. 16 — Summit Academy, 7 p.m. (Lost 16-7)

Sept. 23 — at American Leadership, 7 p.m. (Won 19-14)

Sept. 30 — North Summit, 7 p.m. (Lost 39-13)

Oct. 7 — South Summit, 7 p.m. (Lost 37-3)

Oct. 14 — Gunnison Valley, 7 p.m. (Won 42-7)

Verdict: A good start, for a young team and a new, young coach, would be a big deal for the Eagles — and pave the way to a playoff spot.

Projected finish in region: Fifth