Springville Excessive College’s Ryder Burton throws a cross through the 5A soccer championship sport in opposition to Lehi Excessive College at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. Lehi gained 35-6. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
There’s a sentiment in Area 9 that if issues aren’t going effectively in your soccer program, simply hunker down and wait a 12 months and also you’ll in all probability be competing for a area title the next season.
Over the previous three seasons because the present area was shaped, 5 of the six groups have earned no less than a share of a area championship. Salem Hills is the one workforce who hasn’t claimed area hardware, however sarcastically sufficient two years in the past it nonetheless loved a 5A semifinal look as a third-place workforce from Area 9. 4 of the six groups have additionally taken a flip ending within the backside two groups within the area — solely Wasatch and Springville haven’t.
Provo is the one workforce over the previous three years to assert an outright area title, which occurred three years in the past. Two years once more Wasatch and Maple Mountain shared the area title after which final 12 months Springville and Spanish Fork shared it.
“Our area is hard. Any workforce can beat any workforce on any given night time,” mentioned first-year Springville coach Dave Valeti, who beforehand served as an assistant coach for the Purple Devils.
Springville superior all the best way to the 4A state championship sport final 12 months, nevertheless it had a dreadful efficiency within the title sport in dropping to Lehi. It has served as further motivation because the workforce is hungry to get after it once more and try to take the following step as a program.
With 5 returning offensive and defensive starters again it has an incredible basis to construct on, and the remainder of the Area 9 coaches realize it too as they’ve pegged Springville because the workforce to beat in area.
“We had an incredible core of seniors final 12 months that set some good examples and good requirements for us. Dropping that manufacturing hurts, however we carry again a whole lot of proficient guys. A few of our youthful guys are excited, they’ve been ready for his or her flip to get below the lights,” mentioned Valeti.
Valeti mentioned Springville’s bodily model of soccer that focuses on clock administration and nice protection gained’t change regardless of the teaching change.
One of many Purple Devils’ high returning gamers is BYU quarterback commit Ryder Burton. He handed for two,300 yards and 25 touchdowns, and that manufacturing figures to go up with a 12 months of expertise below his belt.
Burton threw 12 interceptions final season, however six of them got here within the championship ouster to Lehi. He’s labored extraordinarily laborious all offseason to be higher ready for achievement on the most important stage. Valeti mentioned he together with the whole workforce is extraordinarily hungry for the 2022 season to kick off.
The Area 9 coaches pegged Spanish Fork because the workforce most definitely to push Springville for the area title.
Third-year Spanish Fork coach Dustin Smith actually likes the standard of his returning starters, however there aren’t that many and the newcomers are very inexperienced on the varsity stage.
“This can be a actually laborious 12 months for me to foretell how we’re going to be. I may see us being a very good workforce and competing once more for the area championship, and I may additionally see a situation with our inexperience and we’re a smaller faculty at Spanish Fork perhaps we wrestle a little bit bit, particularly early within the season,” mentioned Smith.
Josh Buck is one among Spanish Fork’s high returning gamers as he rushed for 1,054 yards and 9 touchdowns a 12 months in the past. Defensively the Dons will rely closely on four-year beginning defensive lineman Isaac Reupena.
Wasatch has some huge holes to fill with simply three returning starters on offense and 4 on protection, nevertheless it’s a program that’s persistently on the cusp of greatness and its 11 mixed area wins the previous three years is greater than anybody else.
Final 12 months the Wasps misplaced to eventual state champion Lehi in additional time within the 5A second spherical. With an additional bounce right here or there, who is aware of how the remainder of the season unfolds.
Provo tied with Wasatch for third-place a 12 months in the past, however, like Wasatch, additionally bowed out of the playoffs sooner than anticipated. Coach Kirk Chambers’ workforce returns six starters on offense and could possibly be the sleeper workforce within the area based mostly on preseason projections.
Maple Mountain and Salem Hills completed backside two in Area 9 a 12 months in the past and that’s the place their projected once more. Every program is simply two years faraway from a 5A semifinal look, so it’s not out of the realm of chance to anticipate both to make an enormous soar and be proper within the thick of the Area 9 hunt.
1. Springville Purple Devils
2021 document: 11-2 (tied for first in Area 9 with a 4-1 document).
2021 RPI rating: No. 1 in 5A.
2021 postseason: Misplaced to Lehi, 35-6, within the 5A championship.
All-time document: 461-421-32 (105 years).
State titles: 1 (1985).
Area titles: 26 (1922, 1926, 1929, 1933, 1938, 1954, 1976 co, 1977 co, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 co, 1988 co, 1990, 1991 co, 1992, 1993 co, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021 co).
Head coach: Dave Valeti. Springville’s defensive coordinator since 2014, Dave Valeti is taking on as head coach at his alma mater this season. He performed faculty soccer at Snow Faculty and is a graduate of UVU.
Coach Dave Valeti’s normal outlook: We're excited for this upcoming season. We misplaced some nice gamers from final 12 months’s run, however return some key gamers and have some thrilling guys which have been making ready for his or her alternatives. We've a quarterback that we consider in and that has performed an incredible job up to now changing into a frontrunner for our workforce. We consider in our course of and the gamers have actually purchased in. We're excited to develop this 12 months’s identification.
Offensively, we consider in a bodily, robust strategy. We consider in working the soccer and controlling the time-of-possession. We additionally love to offer defenses a number of formations to arrange for and can cross and use steadiness to maintain them on their heels.
Defensively, we're a number of. We consider in enjoying robust, bodily soccer. We wish to use a number of fronts and pressures to dictate the sport.
Offensive coordinator: Doug Payments.
2021 offense: 34.5 ppg (No. 8 in 5A).
- 5 returning starters.
- Professional Type offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Ryder Burton, QB.
- Walker Deede, TE.
- Will Monney, WR.
- Dallin Johnson, OL.
- Kinikinilau Fonohema-Lomu, OL.
Key offensive newcomers
- Ty Miller, OL.
- Drew Owens, OL.
- Ammon Shaw, OL.
- Ryan Conrad, OL.
- Tevita Valeti, RB.
- Treven Kelly, WR.
- Luke Nadauld, WR.
- Siosifa Kolomalu, WR.
- Cooper Murphy, RB.
- Tisi Valeti, RB.
Defensive coordinator: Dave Valeti.
2021 protection: 17.6 ppg (No. 3 in 5A).
- 5 returning starters.
- H2O protection.
Returning defensive starters
Dallin Johnson, DT.
Tyson Naufahu, DT.
Siosifa Kolomalu, Edge.
Hunter Perrero, CB.
Jaden Toki, S.
Key defensive newcomers
Kinikinilau Fonohema-Lomu, DE.
Gunnar Bowers, DE.
Lofi Mavae, DT.
Tevita Valeti, LB.
Cooper Murphy, LB.
Tisi Valeti, LB.
Walker Deede, LB.
Will Monney, LB.
Luke Nadauld, S.
Tua Valeti, S.
Treven Kelly, CB.
Parker Rapier, CB.
2. Spanish Fork Dons
2021 document: 7-3 (tied for first in Area 9 with a 4-1 document).
2021 RPI rating: No. 6 in 5A.
2021 postseason: Misplaced to East, 38-20, within the 5A second spherical.
All-time document: 394-468-20 (102 years).
State titles: None.
Area titles: 8 (1935 co, 1961, 1969, 1970 co, 1973 co 1977 co, 1991 co, 2012, 2021 co).
Head coach: Dustin Smith. Heading into his third season as head coach at his alma mater after guiding the Dons to an 11-11 document the previous two years. He’s a graduate of UVU and based QB Elite in 2011.
Coach Dustin Smith’s normal outlook: We're returning a number of key gamers from final 12 months’s workforce, however total we can be youthful than normal this season with a whole lot of enjoying time on the market to be earned. I anticipate will make some errors, however be led a number of very skilled seniors who've all performed varsity since their sophomore and even freshman years.
Offensive coordinator: Dustin Smith.
2021 offense: 30.1 ppg (No. 12 in 5A).
- 5 returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Josh Buck, Sr.
- Teni Worthen, Sr.
- Issac Reupena, Sr.
- Aaron Dunn, So.
- Grant Barney, Sr.
Defensive coordinator: Harry Schwenke.
Spanish Fork protection: 17.3 ppg (No. 2 in 5A).
- 4 returning starters.
- 3-3-5 protection.
Returning defensive starters
- Teni Worthen, Sr.
- Clay Feliuai, Sr.
- Issac Reupena, Sr.
- Grant Barney, Sr.
3. Provo Bulldogs
2021 document: 7-3 (tied for third in Area 9 with a 3-2 document).
2021 RPI rating: No. 5 in 5A.
2021 postseason: Misplaced to Orem, 28-14, within the 5A second spherical.
All-time document: 464-468-26 (107 years).
State titles: 1 (1982).
Area titles: 24 (1923, 1924, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1955, 1958, 1965, 1972, 1973 co, 1976 co, 1979, 1981, 1982 co, 1986 co, 1987, 1988 co, 2005 co, 2019).
Head coach: Kirk Chambers. Is heading into his third season as head coach at Provo, after an 11-10 document the previous two seasons. He beforehand was the top coach at Spanish Fork for 3 years from 2012-2014, the place his groups posted a 23-14 document. He’s a graduate of Provo Excessive College and Stanford College. He spent seven years within the NFL, enjoying for the Browns, Payments, Bengals and Falcons.
Coach Kirk Chambers’s normal outlook: The Bulldogs look to enhance on their 7-3 season and hope to push deeper into the playoffs with an skilled group of returning starters main the best way. Final 12 months’s early playoff loss was a disappointment. This 12 months’s offense will characteristic a robust and skilled line with a wholesome Jamison Harward working the ball. After switching from security, Kyson Condie will take the reins at quarterback. At receiver, he may have his selection of fellow seniors, Talo Takitaki and Tomasi Hifo, with underclassmen Drew Deucher and Moses Vaenuku able to make huge performs as effectively. Defensively, junior Tagai Lesa will lead the protection from the center linebacker place. Fellow junior, Kyle Larsen, returns as a ball hawking security who will direct the younger backfield. Sefa Diaz and Ezra Tuilevuka hope to be placing a whole lot of strain on opposing quarterbacks as effectively. Provo Excessive appears to be reloaded to be a contender in Area 9 and to make a run late within the season.
Offensive coordinator: Brandon Condie.
2021 offense: 27.4 ppg (No. 15 in 5A).
- Six returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Jamison Harward, Sr., RB.
- Talo Takitaki, Sr., WR.
- Tomasi Hifo, Sr., WR.
- Emmett Pan, Sr., OG.
- Strantz Mangisi, Sr., C.
- Sione Diaz, Sr., OG.
Key offensive newcomers
- Kyson Condie, Sr., QB.
- Paxton McGinn, Jr., OL.
- Drew Deucher, Jr., WR.
- Moses Vaenuku, So., WR.
Defensive coordinator: Joe Tuha.
2021 protection: 23 ppg (No. 11 in 5A).
- 4 returning starters.
- 4-2-5 protection.
Returning defensive starters
- Kyle Larsen, Jr., S.
- Sefa Diaz, Jr., DE.
- Andrew Flake, Sr., DE.
- Ezra Tuilevuka, Jr., DE.
Key defensive newcomers
- Tagai, Lesa, Jr., MLB.
- Sosaia Hifo, So., CB.
- Limhi Mateaki, So., DL.
- Bennett Paulsen, Jr., MLB.
- Kampton Fuller, Jr., S.
- McKay Hadley, Sr., OLB.
4. Wasatch Wasps
2021 document: 7-4 (tied for third in Area 9 with a 3-2 document).
2021 RPI rating: No. 10 in 5A.
2021 postseason: Misplaced to Lehi, 35-34, within the 5A second spherical.
All-time document: 482-396-18 (98 years).
State titles: None.
Area titles: 21 (1931, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1964, 1966, 1967 co, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1975 co, 1977 co, 1981, 1982, 1984 co, 1993, 1999 co, 2002, 2007 co, 2020 co).
Head coach: Steve Coburn. Coming into his eleventh season at Wasatch, the place his groups have posted a 64-46 document. Coburn has 5 years of head teaching expertise at Snow Faculty (2006-2010) and 19 years head teaching expertise at the highschool stage. He was 13-6 at Morgan (1988-89), 11-29 at Ogden (1994-1997), 2-17 at Cottonwood (1998-99) and 4-7 at North Sanpete (2011). He’s a graduate of Bonneville (Idaho) Excessive College and BYU.
Coach Steve Coburn’s normal outlook: Wasatch appears to reload after an additional time loss to eventual state champion Lehi to conclude the 2021 season. Fueled by a proficient core of linebackers (Sawyer Johansen and Kolton Brisk), the Wasps needs to be robust on protection. Caden Luke captains the protection as a returning starter at security. Offensively, the Wasps return standout senior working again, Chris Cook dinner, together with Jeraldo Payan (C) and Austin McNaughtan (LG) on the offensive line. The Wasps will lean on senior QB/WR Crew Erickson to match the pace of the proficient 5A. Particular groups will characteristic two expert junior kickers/punters in Ashton Southam and Fischer Brown.
Offensive coordinators : Chase Roberts and Devin Lindley.
2021 offense: 38.2 ppg (No. 2 in 5A).
- Three returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Jeraldo Payan, Sr., C.
- Austin McNaughtan, Jr., LG.
- Chris Cook dinner, Sr., RB.
Key offensive newcomers
- Crew Erickson, Sr., QB/WR.
- Carter Bucad, Jr., WR.
- Cooper Thacker, Jr., OL.
Defensive coordinator: Nate Knight.
2021 protection: 26.0 ppg (No. 16 in 5A).
- 4 returning starters.
- 3-3-5 protection.
Returning defensive starters
- Caden Luke, Sr., FS.
- Garrett Christensen, Jr., DL.
- Kolton Brisk, Jr., OLB.
- Sawyer Johansen, Sr., OLB.
Key defensive newcomers
- Ben Sluga, Sr., CB.
- Josh Davis, Sr., FS.
- Trevin Rothwell, Sr., MLB.
5. Maple Mountain Golden Eagles
2021 document: 3-8 (fifth in Area 9 with a 1-4 document).
2021 RPI rating: No. 23 in 5A.
2021 postseason: Misplaced to Wasatch, 55-20, within the 5A first spherical.
All-time record: 61-84 (13 years).
State titles: None.
Area titles: 1 (2020 co).
Head coach: Brad Burtenshaw. The one head coach in Maple Mountain’s historical past, Burtenshaw is coming into his 14th season as head coach with a 62-83 document over that stretch. He’s a graduate of San Juan Excessive College and the College of Utah.
Coach Brad Burtenshaw’s normal outlook: We've a strong group of skilled gamers getting back from final 12 months. We actually like our workforce chemistry and perspective. We've a number of competitions at completely different positions that may proceed into fall camp. Our power would be the depth of our workforce, however we are going to lack expertise in some positions. We sit up for competing at a excessive stage in opposition to the opponents on our robust schedule.
Offensive coordinator: Clay Denton.
2021 offense: 22.3 ppg (No. 23 in 5A).
- 5 returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Jaxson Denton, Sr, RB/WR.
- Jaydon Matsuoka, Sr, OL.
- Nathan Heaton, Sr, RB.
- Banks Jackson, Jr, QB.
- Brogan Miles, Jr, QB.
Key offensive newcomers
- Easton Merrill, Jr, WR.
- Gavin Corry, Sr, WR.
- Kavika Bringhurst, Jr, TE.
- Braxston Jensen, Jr, OL.
Defensive coordinator: Brad Burtenshaw.
2021 protection: 35.1 ppg (No. 29 in 5A).
- Three returning starters.
- A number of defenses.
Returning defensive starters
- Carter Bringhurst, Sr, DE.
- Josh Biesinger, Sr, LB.
- Quinn Burtenshaw, Sr, DB.
Key defensive newcomers
- Cutler Christensen, Sr, DL.
- Dillon Silva, Sr, LB.
- Michael Knudsen, Jr, LB.
- Josh Leckie, Sr, DB.
- CJ Fairbourne, Sr, DB.
6. Salem Hills SkyHawks
2021 document: 1-8 (sixth in Area 9 with a 0-5 document).
2021 RPI rating: No. 25 in 5A.
2021 postseason: Didn't take part.
All-time document: 75-78 (14 years).
State titles: None.
Area titles: None.
Head coach: Jeff Higginson. Is coming into his third season as head coach at Salem Hills after guiding this system to a 10-11 document the previous two years. He’s a graduate of Spanish Fork Excessive College and UVU.
Coach Jeff Higginson’s normal outlook: We’re excited out our younger soccer workforce! They've labored laborious this offseason, trying ahead to watching them compete this fall.
Offensive coordinator: Scott Brumfield.
2021 offense: 12.0 ppg (No. 30 in 5A).
- 5 returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Jed Hughes.
- Treyson Zobell.
- Alex Cloward.
- Sam Esplin.
- KG Leota.
Key offensive newcomers
- Jackson Nelson.
- Kort Stewart.
- Dagen Gammell.
- Mark Yoder.
Defensive coordinator: Derek Campbell.
2021 protection: 25.8 ppg (No. 15 in 5A).
- Six returning starters.
- 4-3 protection.
Returning defensive starters
- Garrett Holt.
- Vandin Fussleman.
- Jed Hughes.
- Kort Stewart.
- Treyson Zobell.
- Cole Hanks.
- Sam Kinikini.
Key defensive newcomers
- Dagen Gammell.