The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The 2023 high school football season is less than a month away and in this preview series, each position group for both Region 1 and 5 will be ranked. We will preview all you need to know about returning stars and up-and-coming players to watch for the 2023 season. These previews of each group will catch you up on storylines surrounding every team.

Last season, Weber Warriors freshman receiver Salesi Moa burst onto the scene with a spectacular year. Will he be better this year? Who will step up at Farmington High School and replace all-state tight-end, Mitch Nielsen? Who will the Davis Darts turn to after the departure of record-setting 1,000-yard receivers Easton Baggett and Tyson Elkins?

1. Syracuse Titans

The defending Region 1 champions Syracuse Titans are hungry to repeat after an undefeated region record last season. An explosive offense is what to expect from an experienced Titan offense this season. The Titans will turn to speedy receiver DJ Mayes as their main option in the passing game. Mayes had a stealer junior season with 38 catches for 559 yards and a team leading five touchdowns. A 6’3″ matchup problem for defenses, Mayes has improved on his speed, running a 10.95 in the 100m this past track season. Mayes also will showcase his athleticism as a punt and kick returner.

Running routes opposite Mayes will be a senior transfer from Lone Peak High School, Shaun Blanton. Blanton also stands at 6’3″ and caught 21 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns for the Knights last year. Blanton scored two touchdowns in the Knight’s playoff victory over the Titans in 2022.

The Titans will be looking to replace talented receivers from last season in Dylan Croxford, Noah Yeates, and Jake Metcalfe, with Preston Haney, Trevin Shaw and Josh Burns.

Head coach Mike Knight and offensive coordinator Braden Hamblin produced a region leading offense that averaged 43.6 points per game in region action last season.

2. Weber Warriors

Salesi Moa took the region by storm as a freshman, and by the end of the season, he was the focal point of an improving offense. Moa is big, strong, and able to easily separate from defenders. Showing up big in last season’s playoff victory over the Roy Royals, Moa had five catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Moa led the Warriors with 49 receptions for 865 yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2022.

Defenses will focus on containing Moa, meaning more opportunities for the Warriors’ other receivers to step up and make plays. The third-leading receiver last season was Braylon Parker. Parker chipped in with 22 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns for the Warriors. Parker plays both ways and returns as the team’s starting free safety.

Tyson Higgs will be one to watch for the Warriors. The junior receiver played mostly on special teams last season, but will have a bigger role in the offense. Parker’s younger brother Dyson has shown to be an electric receiver this off-season and will be a player to watch. Junior Ian Elmore is ready to contribute as a dependable option for the Warriors passing game.

Moa will be the main target this season for the Warriors and already holds several college offers but look for the Warrior’s speed to surprise defenses. Junior Tyler Payne will be looked upon to keep drives going at the tight end position. The Warrior’s offense averaged 20.1 points per game last season and will need the receivers to have more explosive plays this year.

The Warrior’s receiving group will surprise the region if the quarterback situation is steady with juniors Crew Cacciacarne and Tyce Abbott.

3. Farmington Phoenix

Farmington must replace its top four receivers from last year’s squad. Experience at quarterback will help with senior Easton Wight returning for his third year as a starter. Developing chemistry with a new group of starting receivers will be key for the Phoenix offense. The offense averaged 31.3 points-per-game last season, and the receivers accounted for 37 touchdown catches. Only Dante Coats (2) and Camden Stewart (1) return, having caught a touchdown pass.

The Phoenix lose all-state athlete Dayton Runyan but get an experienced and talented all-around athlete in Syracuse transfer Jake Metcalfe. Metcalfe lined up all over the field for the Titans and had 45 receptions for 441 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Returning experienced receivers Dante and Dominic Coats will be called on to play bigger roles in the offense this season. The Coats twins combined for 40 catches, 519 yards, and two touchdowns as juniors. If they can replace the production from last year’s twins Adam and Ben Stucki’s combined 60 catches for 953 yards and 14 touchdowns, it will bode well for the Phoenix offense.

Head coach and offensive coordinator Daniel Coats will also have seniors Charlie DeAnda and Mason Smith returning as receiving targets. DeAnda is back from an injured junior season and has looked impressive in summer workouts. Smith is sure-handed and a speedy receiver that fits well into Coats’ system.

4. Fremont Silverwolves

The Silverwolves relied on a strong defense led by All-state linebacker Christian Blanch last season. This season with returning quarterback Slade Parker, the Silverwolves will look to put more points on the board in second year head coach Clay Bayard’s offense.

After losing its top three pass catchers, the Silverwolves will look to junior Jace Hadley as the go-to receiver. Hadley finished last season with 26 catches for 286 yards and two touchdowns and was a second-team all-region selection. Last season’s leading receiver Ridge Whitney is a huge loss for the Silverwolves, but talented senior receivers Luke Shulz and Noah Austin are ready for more opportunities to make plays.

Shulz hauled in 14 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. Austin starred at free safety and will be looked at to go both ways for the Silverwolves. The Silverwolves will use Austin’s speed (11.20 100m) to keep defenses honest and give Parker options to find open receivers. Look for more targets for junior Zach Masters and tight end Cooper Larsen.

5. Davis Darts

The Darts must replace two of the most prolific pass-catching duo we have seen in years in Easton Baggett and Tyson Elkins. The two combined for 194 catches and 2186 yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2022 season. Both players also eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark during the year.

While the Darts coaching staff will not replace that much production with two players, they will look to have the team run a balanced and efficient offense. Returning from last season-ending injury will be senior receiver Kash Gates. Gates has looked impressive in summer workouts and looking forward to bouncing back and being a main target for the Darts offense.

Darts receivers looking to make an impact include senior McCoy Frasure and freshman Bode Sparrow. Frasure is sure-handed and quick in and out of his breaks and ready to make plays on the offensive side of the ball after seeing most action on defense last season. Sparrow has shown to be a quick learner and ready to challenge for playing time as a freshman.

6. Layton Lancers

The Lancers will be breaking in a new coaching staff, and the excitement of Lancer football is alive and well in Layton. The Lancers are coming off two consecutive six-win seasons and are looking to add to what the previous Lancer teams have built.

New head coach Trevor Thomas will look to first-year offensive coordinator and former Snow College receiver Coy Cannon to ignite the Lancers offense. Thomas and Cannon are Layton High alums and are passionate about bringing exciting football to Lancer country. Cannon will look to highlight the team’s athletic ability on offense.

The Lancers must replace its top two receivers from last season, Brigham Lawson had 28 catches, and Elias Parkinson had 27 catches and ten touchdowns. The top returning receiver will be Easton McMillan, who finished last season with 11 catches and two touchdowns. McMillan is a big target with speed and will double on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker.

Speedy receiver senior Gabriel Lopez will be a player the Lancers will get the ball to in open space and be a difficult matchup for the opposing defense.

cover photo of Dante Coats of Farmington courtesy Kim McFadden