Delta had grown accustomed to being one of the smaller schools in the football 3A classification over recent years, not that Rabbits fans and coaches necessarily liked that very much.
Delta now gets to be one of the biggest schools in its classification after moving down to Class 2A.
“We were the smallest school in 3A in forever,” Rabbits coach Russ Fowles said. “It’s weird because all the other sports we’re 2A. Now they’re moving up and we’re moving down. It’s kind of a flip-flop.”
It had been 15 years since Delta had played in a state championship game when it advanced to the 3A finale against Juan Diego last fall. The Rabbits were within striking distance when Juan Diego hit a long touchdown pass for some breathing room late in the game.
“They kind of went out of character and went long,” Fowles said. “I think they were the only ones in the stadium that thought that would happen.”
Fowles’ crew is well-seasoned on offense, with eight returnees. But the defense — with only three — is a little more raw.
“I think the top teams in 2A are every bit as good as the ones we’ve been playing in 3A,” Fowles said.
DELTA RABBITS <br>Coach • Russ Fowles, fifth year <br>Last season • 9-3, 4-1 in Class 3A South; Advanced to Class 3A state championship game <br>State championships • 1966, 1968, 1975, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001 <br>Other title game appearances • 1965, 1977, 2000, 2016 <br>2017 SCHEDULE <br>Aug. 18 • at Juab, 7 p.m. <br>Aug. 25 • Manti, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 1 • at Beaver, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 8 • San Juan, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 15 • at Millard, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 22 • North Summit, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 29 • at South Summit, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 6 • Gunnison Valley, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 13 • at American Leadership, 7 p.m.
Behind center • Delta’s triple-option offense seems to be in secure hands. Senior Jake Day (5 foot 11, 170 pounds) enters his third year as the starting quarterback. Returning at running back is one of the fastest athletes in the state in senior Dallin Draper (5-11, 150), whose championship time in the Class 2A 100-meter dash (10.88 seconds) in the spring was second only to the 5A winner. “It’s hard not to give him the ball,” Fowles said about Draper, who gained 922 yards but was plagued with hamstring issues last season. “We’re hoping to get a lot of mileage on him. He’s fast, but up the middle he puts his head down.” Junior Jaymen Brough was called “pretty salty” by his coach, and he’ll be at running back as well.
Ball hawks • Like Day, senior receiver Trevor Burton (6-2, 190) has started since he was a sophomore. He caught 15 passes for 427 yards in 2016. “We don’t have any problem throwing the ball up and having him go get it,” Fowles said. Dawson Dutson (6-1, 175) is a senior who will be tough on opposing receivers at a cornerback spot. He’s also a wideout as well as the backup quarterback. Senior Sam Clark can make plays on the ball from an outside linebacker spot, and he’s one who Fowles is looking at to fill a wide receiver spot on offense.
In the trenches • A trio of senior returning starters on the offensive line should give the Rabbits hope that Draper will be able to find holes to use his speed. Brett Roundy (6-5, 295) and Bradden Davis (6-5, 290), a state champion in wrestling, will man the guard positions on offense. Chase Fowles (6-2, 195), another three-year starter, will be at center. Those three also are set to play at defensive tackle positions, and Delta also has the services of Burton returning to one defensive end spot.
Hit men • Brandon Atkinson had a fruitful junior year at middle linebacker with almost 100 tackles, including 51 solo. And that was with him missing three games. “He likes to hit,” coach Fowles said. “He really wants to hit them hard.” Clark, who also had a pile of solo stops (38) in 2016, is back for more at another linebacker spot. Day may make more than an occasional appearance in the defensive backfield for his senior season. “He really is a good player and a good tackler in the secondary,” Fowles said about Day, who will join Brough at safety spots.
Key returners • Dallin Draper, Sr. (RB); Jake Day, Sr. (QB); Brett Roundy, Sr. (OT/DT); Trevor Burton, Sr. (WR/DE); Chase Fowles, Sr. (C/DT)
Key losses • Ryland Day, LB; Jason Hatch, DB; Reygan Riding, RB; Gordon Seui, LB/RB
The next wave • Jaymen Brough, Jr. (RB/DB); Dawson Dutson, Sr. (WR/CB); Sam Clark, Sr. (LB/WR)