High school football: Deseret News 2013 preview schedule (Updated Aug. 14)

2012 Deseret News Mr. Football Austin Kafentzis poses for a portrait on the Jordan High School football field, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012.

Ben Brewer, Deseret News

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Beginning Sunday, Aug. 4 with Class 1A and continuing through Aug. 20 with Region 1, the Deseret News will publish previews for all 16 regions in the state.

From Aug. 5 to Aug. 20, in-depth previews for all 103 teams playing varsity football will be published.

Listed below is the complete publication schedule for these 119 preview stories.

In case you missed it, check out the Deseret News class-by-class preseason rankings, our statewide top 25 rankings and complete schedules for every team in the state.

Region 1 Preview (Aug. 20)

Fremont (Aug. 14), Davis (Aug. 15), Northridge (Aug. 16), Syracuse (Aug. 17), Layton (Aug. 18), Viewmont (Aug. 19), Weber (Aug. 20).

Region 2 Preview (Aug. 19)

Cottonwood (Aug. 5), Granger (Aug. 6), Hillcrest (Aug. 7), Hunter (Aug. 8), Taylorsville (Aug. 13), West (Aug. 15).

Region 3 Preview (Aug. 17)

Alta (Aug. 14), Jordan (Aug. 15), Bingham (Aug. 16), Brighton (Aug. 17), Copper Hills (Aug. 19), West Jordan (Aug. 20).

Region 4 Preview (Aug. 16)

American Fork (Aug. 6), Herriman (Aug. 7), Lehi (Aug. 8), Lone Peak (Aug. 9), Pleasant Grove (Aug. 10), Riverton (Aug. 12), Westlake (Aug. 13).

Region 5 Preview (Aug. 15)

Logan (Aug. 14), Mountain Crest (Aug. 15), Box Elder (Aug. 16), Ogden (Aug. 17), Bonneville (Aug. 18), Roy (Aug. 19), Sky View (Aug. 20).

Region 6 Preview (Aug. 14)

Bountiful (Aug. 5), Cyprus (Aug. 6), Kearns (Aug. 7), Woods Cross (Aug. 8), Highland (Aug. 9), Clearfield (Aug. 10), East (Aug. 12).

Region 7 Preview (Aug. 13)

Corner Canyon (Aug. 6), Mountain View (Aug. 7), Murray (Aug. 8), Olympus (Aug. 9), Orem (Aug. 10), Skyline (Aug. 12), Timpanogos (Aug. 13).

Region 8 Preview (Aug. 12)

Maple Mountain (Aug. 13), Provo (Aug. 14), Salem Hills (Aug. 15), Spanish Fork (Aug. 16), Springville (Aug. 17), Timpview (Aug. 19), Wasatch (Aug. 20).

3AA North Preview (Aug. 10)

Tooele (Aug. 5), Bear River (Aug. 6), Juan Diego (Aug. 7), Park City (Aug. 8), Ben Lomond (Aug. 9), Stansbury (Aug. 10), Uintah (Aug. 12).

3AA South Preview (Aug. 9)

Payson (Aug. 13), Pine View (Aug. 14), Cedar (Aug. 15), Desert Hills (Aug. 16), Dixie (Aug. 17), Hurricane (Aug. 19), Snow Canyon (Aug. 20).

3A North Preview (Aug. 8)

Grantsville (Aug. 6), Union (Aug. 7), Carbon (Aug. 8), Emery (Aug. 9), Judge (Aug. 12), Morgan (Aug. 13).

3A South Preview (Aug. 7)

Manti (Aug. 12), Delta (Aug. 13), Juab (Aug. 14), North Sanpete (Aug. 15), Canyon View (Aug. 16), Richfield (Aug. 19).

2A North Preview (Aug. 6)

ALA (Aug. 5), Gunnison (Aug. 6), Layton Christian (Aug. 7), Millard (Aug. 8), North Summit (Aug. 9), South Summit (Aug. 12), Summit Academy (Aug. 15).

2A South Preview (Aug. 5)

Beaver (Aug. 13), Enterprise (Aug. 15), Grand (Aug. 15), North Sevier (Aug. 16), Parowan (Aug. 17), San Juan (Aug. 19), South Sevier (Aug. 20).

1A Preview (Aug. 4)

Altamont (Aug. 8), Duchesne (Aug. 9), Milford (Aug. 12), Kanab (Aug. 15), Rich (Aug. 15), Monticello (Aug. 16), Monument Valley (Aug. 17), Whitehorse (Aug. 19), Diamond Ranch (Aug. 20).

High school football: Grand Red Devils 2013 preview

Koi Cook

Courtesy Grand Co. High School

Note: Grand County finished with a 7-4 overall record in 2012 and tied for second place in 2A South with a 5-2 record. It lost to Manti 58-15 in the 2A semifinals.

MOAB — The Grand County football team is sitting in a pretty good position.

Not only are the Red Devils coming off a year that saw them win five more games than they had the previous season and advance to the semifinals, but they also have many of their primary contributors from a year ago back on the gridiron.

On top of that, the cohesive group is ready to give their all for the sake of the team.

“This group is a tight-knit family,” said assistant coach Ron Dolphin, who has coached the upperclassmen since they were in elementary school.

“They all care about each other; they are all leaders; they are all excited when somebody does something good,” Dolphin continued. “They all want what’s best for the team — it’s not about the stat.”

The all-for-one attitude was especially visible last season when quarterback and defensive back Jacob Francis was sidelined for a few games due to injury and Koi Cook, an all-purpose athlete who was No. 14 on the Deseret News top 20 prep football players list, stepped in to fill the hole.

That versatility is common across the Red Devils roster, and is not limited only to football.

“We spread the Moab kids thin,” Dolphin said, adding that many of the boys on the team are involved in multiple sports, student government, the school musical, and working jobs.

“Everyone is doing 50 different things. They are involved in everything,” Dolphin said. “It is amazing what we get out of these kids.”

That same versatility allows the team to spread its weapons around the field.

A year ago, Francis, now a senior, had 988 passing yards, 765 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns, 44 tackles, two interceptions, two field goals and 24 PATs. Cook added 1,162 more offensive yards, 14 scores, a team-high 129 tackles and three interceptions.

Other key returners include seniors Cameron Taylor and Layton Call along with juniors Koby Sobremesana and Ronnie Dolphin.

“We have a lot of guys who can attack,” coach Dolphin said. “(Opponents) can’t just key in on one kid this year; we will be able to keep the defense honest.”

The Red Devils boast three key returning full-time linemen in Edgar Gomez, Austin Day and David Bentley. They will lead a group of juniors — which includes Tanner White, Adam Flanders, Josh Harris and Charlie DeMars Conoly — who the coaching staff expects to make a big impact.

“We have greater depth on the line,” Dolphin said, “which is something we missed last year.”

After watching this group of juniors and seniors grow up, the coach feels the greatest growth he has seen is in their size.

“They have always been a solid group of kids,” he said. “They have turned into a great group of young men. We are excited to see what they can do.”

Grand County kicks off with three straight home games before hitting the road in the second week of September. Dolphin said that, after the semifinal run last season, the coaching staff and their players are utilizing the experience but are avoiding getting “destination disease” and will take this season one game at a time.

“2A is pretty wide open. It’s anybody’s game,” he said. “We are striving to be there. We are working hard and hoping to have a little luck on our side when we meet the opportunity.”

High school football: Jordan Beetdiggers 2013 preview

Utah State High School 5A Football semifinal between Lone Peak and Jordan in Rice-Eccles Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.

Ben Brewer, Deseret News

Note: Jordan finished with a 12-1 overall record in 2013 was first in Region 3 with a 5-0 record. It beat Syracuse 58-2 in the 5A state championship game.

SANDY— The planets aligned in 2012, and Jordan's football team delivered one of the best seasons the state of Utah has ever witnessed en route to drubbing Syracuse in the 5A state championship game.

It was a perfect storm, but as is always the case — every storm eventually subsides. The Beetdiggers lost all five of their offensive linemen up front along with their entire receiving corps. Accordingly, the defending champions enter the season as the No. 4-ranked team in the Deseret News 5A poll.

However, with the top two offensive players returning (quarterback and running back), coupled with a ferocious defense, Jordan has every reason to believe it will return to the 5A semifinals for the fourth-consecutive season.

“It’s tough,” Jordan coach Eric Kjar said. “The main thing is to just work hard. I don’t know if you expect each team to be like another team. I think we’re going to be a little bit different, but you still expect them to work hard, and make sure they’re bringing it at practice.”

The Beetdiggers have already put their rings in the jewelry box. Last season is a distant memory, and this group is striving to create its own identity.

“It’s much different,” Kjar said. “We still have a few captains back, but we have some new leaders. Hopefully it comes out and works well for us.”

Back in the fold is reigning Deseret News Mr. Football Austin Kafentzis. The Wisconsin commit carries the honor and burden of being the most recognizable name in Utah high school football.

In only two years, Kafentzis has been named Deseret News first-team all-state as a freshman; Mr. Football as a sophomore; National Freshman and Sophomore of the Year by MaxPreps; and second-team All-America by USA Today in 2012.

“He’s worked a lot on his speed, so I think that part he’s got a lot better on,” Kjar said of Kafentzis. “He’s definitely a lot faster than he was last year. He’s working on his reads and understanding the game better, so I think he’ll improve there, too.”

It’s conceivable that in two years Kafentzis will have rewritten every significant passing and rushing record in state history. He’s currently 4,906 yards and 47 touchdowns behind the high passing marks of Mountain Crest’s Alex Kuresa, and only 3,803 yards behind Kuresa’s total offense record. On the ground, he’s 2,597 yards behind the record of Granger’s Fahu Tahi and 26 touchdowns behind the record of Grantsville’s Alan Mouritsen.

Meanwhile, star Clay Moss also returns at running back after scooting for 1,111 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2012. As the new additions on offense acclimate to the speed of varsity competition, Jordan will rely heavily on Moss' production.

“Really important,” Kjar said of Moss when asked about the early portion of the season. “It’s nice having him back, and just the experience and what he brings physically. It helps a ton.”

Jordan Beetdiggers at a glance

Coach: In four years, Eric Kjar has a 38-13 record with three semifinal appearances and a state title with Jordan. He’s a graduate from Kemmerer High in Wyoming and Wayne State (Mich.).

Offense

(4 returning starters; spread offense)

Replacing one of the best starting front fives in history is obviously the main point of emphasis going forward. Right now, several players are contending for opening night roles, but Kjar highlighted Alex Kabwere (left tackle), Spencer Hallings (right tackle) and Parker Williams (center).

High school football: North Sanpete Hawks 2013 preview

Here's an in-depth look at the North Sanpete Hawks football team heading into the 2013 season.

Note: North Sanpete finished with a 5-6 overall record in 2012 and tied for second in Region 12 with a 3-2 record. It lost to Dixie 35-6 in the 3A first round.

2012 North Sanpete statistical recap

MOUNT PLEASANT — North Sanpete’s football program is officially out of helmets and shoulder pads, and coach Matt Roberts couldn’t be happier.

In his second season as head coach at his alma mater, Roberts has 30 more kids coming out for football than he did last year. For a 3A school that hasn’t had a winning record since 2007 (6-5) and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2001, that’s a huge boost to the program.

Along with the increased participation comes higher expectations, something Roberts isn’t shy about reminding his players of.

“We understand if we go .500 this year that’s not acceptable,” said Roberts.

Last year’s 5-5 regular-season record and then first-round playoff loss to eventual champ Dixie was nothing to be ashamed of — far from it, in fact. The up-and-down campaign was a great first step for Roberts in his quest to get North Sanpete back on the map.

There are several reasons to believe the program is heading in the right direction, including being lumped into the smaller 3A classification in the UHSAA's realignment.

The smaller classification doesn’t necessarily make the regular season any easier; it just makes success in the playoffs more attainable. But region foes Delta, Juab, Richfield, Canyon View and Manti are all thinking the same thing, which should make for very competitive Friday nights in September and October.

“Manti is going to be tough; they return a lot. The good thing about our region, week in and week out it kind of reminds me how it was down in St. George. Week in and week out you didn’t know who was going to win. It was a battle every week,” said Roberts, who was an assistant coach at Desert Hills before taking over at North Sanpete.

Two additional factors have Roberts believing North Sanpete will be right in the thick of the region race all season. The first is the progression of junior quarterback Brady Wheeler. The second is the presence of two outstanding move-ins.

Offensively, it starts with Wheeler. As a sophomore last season, Wheeler looked awkward at times and only completed 37 percent of his passes for 574 yards, four TDs and six interceptions.

A year later, he’s a new man.

“Now he’s one of the fastest kids on the team. He’s put the weight room work in, the speed and agility work out. He’s been the first one there and the last one to leave,” said Roberts.

Wheeler participated in camps at Utah State, BYU and Utah to help hone his skills.

“Anything you can do to get better he’s done. Hopefully he has a breakout season because of all the work,” said Roberts. “He’s got this offense down as good as any quarterback I’ve seen both at Desert Hills or here.”

Defensively, without any returning starters, North Sanpete’s coaching staff was always going to experience some anxiety about this season. That all changed when a couple of defensive linemen moved to Mount Pleasant.

Garrett Turpin is a transfer from Provo High, and the junior will be a huge asset at 6 foot, 240 pounds.

“He’s just a mean, hard-nosed kid. From day one he came in with a work ethic, and that’s something these kids respect,” said Roberts.

The other addition is Hunter transfer Mark Out, a big, athletic nose guard who can also catch and block on the offensive side if necessary.