Robert Morrison of Monticello, proven right here in final yr’s 1A eight-player state championship sport at Southern Utah, is one in every of three offensive returning starters for the top-ranked Buckaroos this season. Jeff Richards
Stability is without doubt one of the largest speaking factors amongst coaches within the 1A eight-player league heading into the 2023 season. Certainly not is it good, and success nonetheless very a lot looks like a year-to-year factor, however the league appears to be constructing on optimistic momentum.
A yr in the past within the inaugural season of eight-player soccer, the postseason was solely allowed to proceed after Gunnison Valley agreed to bump down from 11-player soccer to fill out what ended up being only a seven-team bracket.
In 2023, with St. Joseph becoming a member of the ranks and Utah College for the Deaf and the Blind anticipated to take part within the postseason in contrast to a yr in the past, the league now has eight full-time groups who will solely play eight-player soccer. The league was anticipating to have 9 groups, however Diamond Ranch is being pressured to shut its doorways after the Utah Division of Well being and Human Companies denied the license renewal for the residential remedy faculty.
It was a slight knock for the league, however all the things will proceed as regular for the Aug. 11 season-opening kickoff for the remaining eight groups.
“Each geographical area goes to have some powerful groups. Wealthy and Altamont are going to construct on their success and be very powerful. Water Canyon goes to be powerful down within the southwest after its inaugural yr. All in all I feel it’s going to be a really aggressive yr,” stated Monticello coach Reed Anderson.
USDB did find yourself taking part in 4 video games a yr in the past — together with a sport at Louisiana College for the Deaf — but it surely opted to not take part within the state match.
High seed Gunnison Valley ended up profitable that inaugural eight-player state championship, beating No. 3 seed Monticello 26-22 in an entertaining title sport at Southern Utah College.
With Gunnison Valley competing solely in 11-player soccer this fall, Monticello heads into the upcoming season because the preseason No. 1.
Anderson’s group returns three starters on offense and 5 on protection, and he believes the depth is there to construct on final yr’s 8-4 file.
“As with each group, we have now 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 yr. The primary a part of the season goes to be stuffed with shifting gamers round and figuring our greatest mixture to get our greatest group on the sector,” stated Anderson.
JD McDonald is Monticello’s prime returning participant, as he was a first-team all-state quarterback and defensive again a yr in the past.
Water Canyon and Wealthy had been the opposite semifinalists a yr in the past, and never surprisingly they are going to open the season ranked No. 2 and three within the Deseret Information coaches preseason rankings.
For Wealthy, it has a 38-year historical past of soccer success and after some current down years this system is hoping eight-player soccer is the pathway to competing efficiently once more.
For Water Canyon, this system remains to be in its infancy after its debut 2022 season through which this system posted a 3-9 file. It misplaced to Gunnison Valley 61-6 within the semifinals.
“Excited for our second season as a soccer program and able to compete,” stated coach Heber Horsley.
His group returns 4 starters on either side of the ball because it seems to take the following step as a program.
As for the opposite packages heading into the second yr of eight-player soccer — Altamont, Whitehorse, Monument Valley and USDB — all of them collectively hope the expertise gained a yr in the past lessens the educational curve for coaches and gamers alike heading into the 2023 season.
1A 8-player projections
(Preseason rankings are based mostly on coaches’ votes)
1. Monticello Buckaroos
2022 file: 8-4.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 3 in 1A 8-player.
2022 postseason: Misplaced to Gunnison Valley 26-21 in 8-player championship.
All-time file: 367-306-9 (70 years).
State titles: 4 (1969, 1992, 2001, 2004).
Area titles: 18 (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 co, 1973, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 co, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013 co).
Head coach: Reed Anderson
Coming into his sixth season as head coach at his alma mater, tallying a 19-29 file in his first 5 seasons.
Coach Reed Anderson’s common outlook
“As with each group, we have now 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 yr. The primary a part of the season goes to be stuffed with shifting gamers round and figuring our greatest mixture to get our greatest group on the sector. As soon as we determine that out I really feel assured our group can do some nice issues and win some video games. You all the time want to begin together with your line and we aren't any completely different. We misplaced a lot of our dimension on the road and so we'll must be a lot faster on the road slightly than utilizing energy. As soon as our offensive and defensive strains are solidified we can make large jumps on our development. We hope to be taking part in our greatest ball on the finish of the yr and I’m assured that this group has the power to get to that time.”
Offensive coordinator: Reed Anderson
- Three returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- JD McDonald, Sr, QB.
- Mason Atwood, Sr., G.
- Robert Morrison, Sr., RB/WR.
Key offensive newcomers
- Tavon Black, Jr., RB.
- Zac Thayn, Sr., WR/TE.
- Thomas Fullmer, Sr., RB.
- Chandler Henderson, Sr., C.
- Tyson Wheeler, Jr., TE.
- Carter Rogers, Jr., WR.
Defensive coordinator: Tyrel Snyder
- 5 returning starters.
- 3-3 protection.
Returning defensive starters
- Mason Atwood, Sr., NG.
- Robert Morrison, Sr., LB.
- Zac Thayn, Sr., LB.
- Thomas Fullmer, Sr., DE.
- JD McDonald, Sr., Secondary.
Key defensive newcomers
- Tavon Black, Jr., LB.
- Camren Carpenter, Jr., NG.
- Carter Rogers, Jr., DB.
2. Water Canyon Wildcats
2022 file: 3-9.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 4 in 1A 8-player.
2022 postseason: Misplaced to Gunnison Valley 61-6 in 8-player semifinals.
All-time file: 2-8 (1 yr).
State titles: None.
Area titles: None.
Head coach: Heber Horsley
Led Water Canyon to a 2-8 file within the faculty’s first yr taking part in highschool soccer final yr. He’s a graduate of Centennial Academy in Arizona and Mojave Neighborhood School.
Coach Heber Horsley’s common outlook
“Excited for our second season as a soccer program and able to compete.”
Offensive coordinator: Heber Horsley
- 4 returning starters.
- Quick offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Kyden Johnson, Sr., RB.
- Aaron Barlow, Sr., WR.
- Fred Jessop, Sr., G.
- David Barlow, Sr., WR.
Key offensive newcomers
- Tucker Averett, Jr., WR.
- Wallace Cooke, Jr., RB.
- Johnny Johnson, Jr., QB.
Defensive coordinator: Robert Hammon
- 4 returning starters.
- 4-4 protection.
Returning defensive starters
- Johnny Johnson, Jr., DB.
- Kyden Johnson, Sr., DE.
- Aaron Barlow, Sr., DB.
- Fred Jessop, Sr., DT.
Key defensive newcomers
- Rylan Barlow, Jr., LB.
- John Wayne West, Jr., LB.
- Domonic LaCorti, Jr., DE.
- Tucker Averett, Jr., S.
3. Wealthy Rebels
2022 file: 5-7.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 2 in 1A 8-player.
2022 postseason: Misplaced to Monticello 21-20 in 8-player semifinals.
All-time file: 220-181 (38 years).
State titles: 6 (1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2009, 2014).
Area titles: 5 (1991 co, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014).
Head coach: Tyson Larsen
The previous all-stater from Wealthy Excessive College is getting into his second season as head coach after final yr’s 5-7 debut season.
Coach Tyson Larsen’s common outlook
“Our guys are excited. We've got some high quality older children returning plus an honest group of youthful children working arduous hoping to fill some large footwear left behind.”
Offensive coordinator: Tyson Larsen
- Six returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Jaden Desch, Sr., WR.
- Levi Stonehouse, Sr., WR.
- Noah Parry, Sr., RB.
- Jack Bell, Sr., OL.
- Carson Muirbrook, Sr., OL.
- Carter Hoffman, Jr., QB.
Defensive coordinator: Lex Cornia
- 5 returning starters.
Returning defensive starters
- Levi Stonehouse, Sr., DB.
- Noah Parry, Sr., DL.
- Jack Bell, Sr., DL.
- Carson Muirbrook, Sr., DL.
- Jaden Desch, Sr., DB.
4. Altamont Longhorns
2022 file: 3-5.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 6 in 1A 8-player.
2022 postseason: Misplaced to Monticello 56-14 in 8-player quarterfinals.
Head coach: Chuck Woodhouse
He’s getting into his third season as Altamont’s head coach as it should take part in eight-player soccer for a third-straight yr.
Coach Chuck Woodhouse’s common outlook
“We glance good, these younger males have labored extraordinarily arduous within the offseason and it ought to be a great yr for us.”
Offensive coordinator: Chuck Woodhouse
- Seven returning starters.
- Wing-T.
Returning offensive starters
- Braydon Webb.
- Dillon Ivie.
- Thatcher Rust.
- Grayson Panas.
- Gavin Jesson.
- Kaleb Witbeck.
- Kase Farnsworth.
Key offensive newcomers
- Breydon Jesson.
- Easton Theener.
- Parker Phillips.
Defensive coordinator: Mike Foy
- 5 returning starters.
- 3-2 stack.
Returning defensive starters
- Gavin Jesson.
- Kase Farnsworth.
- Braydon Webb.
- Dillon Ivie.
- Thatcher Rust.
Key defensive newcomers
- Easton Theener.
- Chaz Thacker.
- Parker Phillips.
5. Whitehorse Raiders
2022 file: 4-6.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 5 in 1A 8-player.
2022 postseason: Misplaced to Water Canyon 62-16 in 8-player quarterfinals.
Head coach: Andrae Beard
Additional information not offered.
6. Monument Valley Cougars
2022 file: 1-8.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 7 in 1A 8-player.
2022 postseason: Misplaced to Wealthy 48-12 in 8-player quarterfinals.
Head coach: Brad Upshaw
Coming into his second yr as head coach at Monument Valley after main the group to a 1-8 file a yr in the past.
Coach Brad Upshaw’s common outlook
“After a really powerful 2022 season we really feel higher concerning the technique of constructing our program’s basis. In fact profitable can escalate that course of however the sting of shedding has led to an low season of discovery, studying and now educating.”
Offensive coordinator: Brad Upshaw
- 5 returning starters.
- Unfold offense.
Returning offensive starters
- Joshua Hicks, Sr.
- Melias Cly, Sr.
- Haylon Harrison, Jr.
- Shayden Fatt, Jr.
- Tobias Grey, Jr.
Key offensive newcomers
- Tashawn Nez, Fr.
Defensive coordinator: Roland Yazzie
- 5 returning starters.
- 3-2, 3-3, and 4-1 fronts.
Returning defensive starters
- Joshua Hicks, Sr.
- Melias Cly, Sr.
- Haylon Harrison, Jr.
- Shayden Fatt, Jr.
- Tobias Grey, Jr.
7. St. Joseph Jayhawks
2022 file: Didn't take part.
Head coach: Jeremy Hunt-Loveless
Additional information not offered.
8. USDB Eagles
2022 file: 0-4.
2022 RPI rankings: No. 8 in 1A 8-player.
All-time file: 0-4.
Head coach: Brian Tingley
Coach Brian Tingley’s common outlook
“Our soccer program is getting into in its second season with a number of studying and development from our first season in 2022. We wish to enhance from final season to be aggressive in varied features of the sport week in and week out. The soccer group is tremendous excited to take part within the UHSAA league and play with different deaf faculties throughout the nation.”
Offensive coordinator: Brian Tingley
- Six returning starters.
- Unfold run sport.
Defensive coordinator: Austin Davis
- Six returning starters.
- Undetermined.