Timpview’s Tei Nacua (10) catches the ball whereas being tacked by Lehi’s Lance Olsen (4) on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Lehi received 28-24. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
With July 4 firmly within the rearview mirror, which means the times are getting shorter and the 2023 highschool soccer season is simply across the nook. Based mostly on the voting within the Deseret Information’ annual coaches preseason class-by-class rankings, and main realignment shake-ups within the high classifications, this season ought to be as aggressive and thrilling as ever.
Solely two of the seven defending state champions start the 12 months ranked No. 1 of their respective classification, whereas no less than three groups obtained first-place votes in each classification however 6A.
All of that ought to make for a really thrilling season, which formally will get underway on Thursday, Aug. 10 with one recreation, after which a full slate of video games on Friday, Aug. 11.
Final 12 months 4 of the six groups ranked first within the preseason went on to win the state championship, whereas the 12 months earlier than just one did.
Right here’s a better have a look at every classification.
6A projections
Nook Canyon hasn’t received a state title up to now two years, however the coaches count on the Chargers to be again on high this 12 months as they garnered seven first-place votes to seize the highest spot within the preseason rankings.
Skyridge obtained 4 first-place votes to test in at No. 2.
Justin Hemm takes over as head coach for Skyridge after serving because the offensive coordinator a 12 months in the past. The Falcons return eight offensive starters, however simply three on protection.
“We've got a strong group of returners in addition to some new faces. These guys have put in quite a lot of work in the course of the low season and are excited to compete on Friday nights,” stated Hemm.
Prime-ranked Nook Canyon returns six offensive starters, led by Utah Utes QB commit Isaac Wilson. The protection, in the meantime, returns only one offensive starter, Kash Dillon.
American Fork, Lone Peak and Bingham spherical out the highest 5 in 6A, which dropped from 4 areas to 3 within the present UHSAA realignment.
Nook Canyon is shifting out of the ultra-competitive Area 4 from the previous alignment cycle and right into a area with groups from the southwest nook of the Salt Lake Valley. Defending 5A state champ Lehi is shifting as much as 6A and changing the Chargers within the new Area 3.
5A projections
The state’s second-largest classification obtained a serious overhaul since final season, with 9 groups dropping down from 6A and 14 extra dropping all the way down to 4A. It little question misplaced some high quality, together with defending champ Lehi bumping as much as 6A, however it has the makings of an thrilling, unpredictable season with so many new faces.
Timpview, final 12 months’s 5A runner-up, was the overwhelming alternative by the coaches at No. 1 because it obtained 11 first-place votes. Timpview has quite a lot of holes offensively to fill with simply three returning starters, however second-year coach Donny Atuaia’s group returns six starters on protection.
“With quite a lot of spots vacated by outgoing seniors, now we have younger and excited student-athletes working arduous to realize our group objectives. Our season will rely upon our capacity to work collectively,” he stated.
West, one of many groups dropping down from 6A, returns eight offensive starters and was pegged No. 2 within the preseason coaches rankings. West hasn’t received a state title since 1992, however with eight offensive starters returning it has an incredible basis to construct on.
4A projections
Over the previous two years, northern Utah faculties and southern Utah faculties have been left to duke it out amongst one another within the tiny 13-team classification. Issues return to regular in 2023 although, with 14 groups becoming a member of the classification as they drop down from 5A.
Which means defensive champ Desert Hills and runner-up Crimson Cliffs will get loads of competitors of their bid to headline the classification.
Regardless of that, Crimson Cliffs nonetheless obtained loads of respect within the preseason rankings because it opens the season No. 1, with Desert Hills in second. The Mustangs return 5 starters on offense and a whopping 9 on protection.
“We misplaced quite a lot of good starters from final 12 months’s group that we have to substitute, particularly our O-line and some receiver spots. We've got quite a lot of younger guys that we hope can fill in a few of our gaps and permit us to compete,” stated coach Wayne Alofipo.
Ridgeline, the 4A champ in 2021, opens the season ranked third, whereas Stansbury and Park Metropolis spherical out the highest 5. Stansbury was a 5A semifinalist a 12 months in the past, and was 13-0 earlier than it misplaced to Lehi within the playoffs.
3A projections
Morgan completely dominated Class 3A a 12 months in the past, and the coaches don’t count on that to be a lot completely different this 12 months. Morgan obtained 10 first-place votes within the 12-team classification because it returns 10 starters on defensive to associate with 5 extra on offense.
“We're excited for a brand new chapter in our program. Having our classification keep because it was provides us a chance to compete in opposition to some high quality packages,” stated Morgan coach Jared Barlow.
Grantsville, the 2021 champ, narrowly edged Juab for the No. 2 spot, with the Wasps sitting in third to open the season.
A brand new face might be patrolling the sidelines for Juab, as Mike Bowring stepped down after 18 season as head coach. Jake Downard is taking up, and with 9 returning defensive starters has a robust basis to work with.
Canyon View checks in at No. 4, with Manti in No. 5.
5 of the 12 groups in 3A have new head coaches in 2023, which creates quite a lot of unknowns this season exterior of apparent front-runner with Morgan.
2A projections
With eight starters again on offense and 7 on protection, two-time state champ San Juan is poised for one more dominant season in 2A.
“We're very excited coming into this season. After going back-to-back the youngsters are greater than motivated to attempt to make it three. We've got 90-plus youngsters out for soccer this 12 months and we're having fun with the depth of a 5A-6A group. The youngsters know the strain that's on them and are embracing it,” stated San Juan coach Barkley Christiansen.
Main the way in which for the Broncos is returning beginning quarter again Parker Snyder.
South Summit, Emery, Layton Christian and Windfall Corridor spherical out the highest 5.
Layton Christian was final 12 months’s 1A state champ, and is making the bounce to 2A this 12 months. With no returning starter on offense and simply three on protection, Layton Christian may take its lumps early within the season whereas the brand new faces regulate.
1A projections
With the departure of Layton Christian to the next classification, 1A will function a brand new state champ in 2023 and a number of other groups ought to be within the hunt.
Main the way in which is preseason No. 1 Beaver, because it returns seven starters on offense and eight on protection.
“We're excited for one more season. We've got quite a lot of gamers returning with varsity expertise. If we will have some youngsters step up on our offensive line we is usually a excellent group,” stated Beaver coach Jonathan Marshall.
Enterprise and Kanab, final 12 months’s 1A runner-up, returns the same variety of starters as they start the season ranked No. 2 and three, respectively.
Duchesne and North Summit spherical out the highest 5.
1A (8-player) projections
In Yr 2 of 8-player soccer in Utah, the classification hopes to have a bit extra stability with St. Joseph and Diamond Ranch becoming a member of the classification to provide it 9 groups.
A 12 months in the past, Gunnison Valley dropped down into the classification for the playoffs so there have been sufficient groups to carry a state match. It ended up beating Monticello within the state championship.
The Bulldogs aren’t competing on the 8-player degree this 12 months, which opens up the door for a brand new program to assert a state title.
Monticello opens the season s the preseason No. 1, adopted by Water Canyon, Wealthy, Altamont and Diamond Ranch.
“As with each group, now we have some large holes to fill. We misplaced some good senior management and I’m assured within the seniors to be to proceed constructing on what we did final 12 months,” stated Monticello coach Reed Anderson.
2023 preseason highschool soccer rankings
Every year, the Deseret Information asks each soccer coach within the state to vote for the highest 5 groups of their classification. The votes are tallied, and 5 factors are assigned for a first-place vote, 4 for a second-place vote, and so on. Coaches aren’t allowed to vote for their very own group. The next are the outcomes from the coaches who elected to take part (first-place votes indicated in parenthesis):
Class 6A
Crew 2022 file
1. Nook Canyon (7) 11-3.
2. Skyridge (4) 13-1.
3. American Fork 8-4.
4. Lone Peak 7-5.
5. Bingham 10-3.
Others receiving a number of votes: Lehi, Syracuse.
Class 5A
Crew 2022 file
1. Timpview (11) 10-3.
2. West (5) 9-3.
3. Orem (1) 8-5.
4. Alta (1) 6-6.
5. East 7-5.
Others receiving a number of votes: Springville, Brighton, Granger, West Jordan, Olympus, Bountiful, Roy, Wasatch.
Class 4A
Crew 2022 file
1. Crimson Cliffs (10) 10-3.
2. Desert Hills (4) 10-3.
3. Ridgeline (3) 8-5.
4. Stansbury (2) 12-1.
5. Park Metropolis (1) 8-3.
Others receiving a number of votes: Provo, Sky View, Dixie, Spanish Fork, Mountain Crest, Snow Canyon, Inexperienced Canyon.
Class 3A
Crew 2022 file
1. Morgan (10) 13-0.
2. Grantsville (1) 10-2.
3. Juab 12-1.
4. Canyon View (1) 8-4.
5. Manti 5-7.
Others receiving a number of votes: Richfield, Juan Diego.
Class 2A
Crew 2022 file
1. San Juan (7) 13-0.
2. South Summit (1) 11-1.
3. Emery 7-4.
4. Layton Christian (1) 10-3.
5. Windfall Corridor 5-6.
Others receiving a number of votes: Summit Academy, Delta.
Class 1A
Crew 2022 file
1. Beaver (8) 8-5.
2. Enterprise (1) 11-1.
3. Kanab (1) 10-3.
4. Duchesne 5-6.
5. North Summit 3-8.
Others receiving a number of votes: Milford, Millard.
Class 1A (8-player)
Crew 2022 file
1. Monticello (2) 4-2.
1. Water Canyon (1) 2-8.
2. Wealthy (1) 5-7.
4. Altamont 2-3.
5. Diamond Ranch (1) 0-0.
Others receiving a number of votes: Whitehorse.