The Hive Sports

by James Tate

It’s time to take a look at the players under center in Region 1 of the UHSAA. This covers high school football teams in the Weber and Davis counties of Utah at the 6A level.

1. Syracuse Titans

The Titans return 2022 Deseret News 6A all-state second-team senior running back Kobe Bennett. Bennett has rushed for 1,441 yards and 18 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Bennett is extremely tough, has excellent vision, and is quick and decisive when he has the ball. An all-around back, Bennett is also a threat in the receiving game for the Titans.

When Bennett is not in the game, juniors Preston Haney and AJ Dehorney will be counted on to come in and carry the load. Haney is fast and able to gain big yards on any play.

Returning for the Titans at quarterback is senior Jake Hopkins. Hopkins passed for 2,274 yards, 14 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 92.5 in 2023. Hopkins will be a three-year starter with loads of talent around him. Size, speed, and experience at the receiver positions will help Hopkins have an outstanding senior season and possibly lead the Titans to back-to-back region titles.

2. Farmington Phoenix

The Phoenix return All-Region MVP Easton Wight at quarterback and last season’s team-leading rusher, junior Travis Hoopes. Hoopes took over as the leading ball carrier last season after starting running back Boston Reinhold was injured and missed the last half of the season. He stepped in and ran well through the playoffs and finished the season with 600 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

Hoopes’ impressive performance in the playoffs included 144 yards and two touchdowns against Weber in the first round. He followed that game with 106 yards and two touchdowns against the American Fork Cavemen. Hoopes continued his steady play in the state semifinal contest against the Corner Canyon Chargers with 68 total yards and a touchdown. When Hoopes needs a break, look for Granger High School senior transfer Noa Santiago to take some carries.

Wight dominated the entire season and finished a remarkable year with 3,146 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes. In last season’s semifinal contest against Corner Canyon, Wight outplayed the Charger’s highly recruited quarterback Isaac Wilson.

Wight threw for 275 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while Wilson threw for 226 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Phoenix must reload on the offensive end, but with Wight’s experience and Hoopes returning, the backfield looks solid and ready for another deep playoff run.

3. Fremont Silverwolves

The Silverwolves went through a quarterback change last season when then-freshman Slade Parker took over for Bodee Goins, who moved to the defensive side of the ball. Parker went through his ups and downs as any freshman would, but played better each game.

Parker threw for 1,367 yards and six touchdowns for the Silverwolves last season. Look for Parker to be more of a running threat in head coach Clay Bayard’s offense and team with the previous season’s leading rusher Brigg Grange. Grange rushed for a team-high 309 yards and six touchdowns.

High moments from the Silverwolves last season included a road playoff victory over the Granger Lancers by the final score of 23-13 and a home region win over rival Weber. In the Weber contest, Parker and Grange combined for 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the 17-10 win.

Returning starting linebacker Bubba Koford will be looked at to get the tough yards and goal-line work when needed for the Silverwolves.

4. Weber Warriors

The Warriors return junior quarterback Tyce Abbott, who split time with last season’s starter Aiden Carter. Abbott threw for 623 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Abbott could be used on the defensive side of the ball this season as the coaching staff has been impressed with the development of transfer Crew Cacciacarne.

Last year’s team-leading rusher Nakosi Swain returns after rushing for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Swain has outstanding speed and is looking for a breakout season with his ability to make game-breaking plays. Swain is an exceptional pass catcher and very tough to bring down in open space. Senior Austin Gussie saw the field last season for the Warriors with 30 carries, and looks to play a more significant role in the offense this season.

The Warrior’s offense will improve on the team total of 630 yards rushing last season. With returners on the offensive line and receivers to open up the running game, a big year is coming for Swain, Abbott, and Cacciacarne.

5. Davis Darts

The Darts will be looking to replace much of their offensive production from a year ago. Gone are quarterback Jackson Stevens and wide receivers Tyson Elkins and Easton Baggett. Sophomore Tradon Bessinger will step up and take the place of Stevens. Bessinger is a tall, athletic, confident quarterback that is learning Head coach Scott Peery’s system and is ready to put his skills on display this fall.

The Darts will return leading rusher Josh Barker from last season to help Bessinger move the ball for the offense. Barker rushed for 347 yards and nine touchdowns last year for the Darts. Barker had 14 receptions out of the backfield last year and will be a good safety option for Bessinger to check down to.

Barker’s backup last year was Kai Byrd, and he returns after rushing for 93 yards and one touchdown. Byrd replaced Barker and shined during the Dart’s victory over the Layton Lancers with 50 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries.

6. Layton Lancers

The Lancers new coaching staff of head coach Trevor Thomas and offensive coordinator Coy Cannon are both Layton High alums and will look to breakthrough on a region championship for the Layton Lancer’s program.

The Lancers must fill holes left by graduated starters from last season, quarterback Tyler Wensel and running back Braxton Martin. Senior Porter Cannon returns after rushing for 370 yards and three touchdowns last season. Cannon has shown to be a powerful runner with a quick burst and is ready to be the primary ball carrier for the Lancers.

Junior quarterback, Madden Sargent looks to be the front runner to be the starting Lancer quarterback this season. Sargent is tall, has a strong arm, and will get better each week. When the season gets into October, look for the Lancers to be a much-improved team and be a substantial challenge for Syracuse and Weber.

Photo courtesy of Kim McFadden of Farmington Phoenix quarterback Easton Wight