The Hive Sports

by James Tate

1. Box Elder Bees

This season, the Box Elder Bees return its starting quarterback Ryan Griffin and running back Dax Sumko. Griffin threw for 1,711 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Bees. Sumko rushed for a region-leading 1,766 yards and scored 16 rushing touchdowns.

Griffin’s 115 quarterback rating was the best in the region, leading the Bees’ offense to average 30 points per game. Sumko is powerful and has breakaway speed to be a home run threat. Sumko is also a capable receiver, hauling in 19 catches for over 200 yards last season. Selected as 2nd Team All-State by the Deseret News, Sumko is ready for an even better senior season.

Mason Jeppesen is an all-around athlete that will carry the ball and make catches for the Bees’ offense. Look for Jeppesen to line up all over the field, create matchup problems for defenses, and be a primary target for Griffin.

2. Woods Cross Wildcats

The Wildcats return three of their top four rushers, including starting quarterback Lock Smoot. Smoot returns after throwing for 792 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 401 yards and another score. Having the experience at quarterback bodes well for Head Coach Brody Benson and the Wildcat’s offense.

The Wildcat’s rushing attack will see the return of fullback Cash Henderson. As a junior, Henderson rushed for 545 yards and tied for the team lead with eight rushing touchdowns. Jacob Howes led the team in rushing last season with 625 yards and eight touchdowns. Howe’s average yards per carry was an impressive 7.9 in 2022.

Howes has the ability to get past the first level of defense and explode into the secondary and outrun defenders. Add in Henderson’s tough running inside, and his speed to get past linebackers, and the Wildcats will be a problem for defenses.

3. Roy Royals

The Royals return starting quarterback junior Dru Gardner and backup junior Colby Frokjer to an offense that averaged 29.2 points per game in 2022. The Royals also will bring back its top three rushers from last season with senior Daeqwan Snider, juniors Robert Young and Logan Cella.

Gardner and Frokjer combined to throw for 1,849 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2022. Both quarterbacks are athletic and can move outside the pocket, make throws, or use their legs to get first downs. Snider has all the tools and ability to be a top running back in the region.

Snider led the Royals to 460 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and a 6.9-yards per rush average. Young amassed 341 yards and five touchdowns last season and is an elusive and powerful runner. Cella rushed for 315 yards and four touchdowns and is the short-yardage back that runs hard and with purpose.

The Royals will use athletic senior quarterback Joseph Cariaga III in packages to give another element defenses must prepare for. The Royals have depth and can use speed and power in any game.

4, Bountiful Redhawks

The Redhawks will have another Geilman under center this fall, this time, sophomore Emerson Geilman takes the reigns. Emerson is the younger brother of last year’s starter Owen Geilman. Geilman has already shown to be a leader and ready to take command of the Redhawk’s drive for another region championship.

Seniors Brigham Morrison and Jacob Brooks will take their turns at running back and help Geilman move the ball for the Redhawk’s offense. Three-star recruit Faletau Satuala will also be a big part of the offense, able to line up anywhere on the field and give the Redhawks a player few teams can match up with.

5. Bonneville Lakers

The Lakers will be a team to watch in Region 5 with returning starting quarterback senior Jaxon Johnson. Backup quarterback junior Cole Lueders also is back and will see action to spell Johnson in certain offensive situations. Johnson passed for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns last season. An elusive runner when he is out of pocket, Johnson led the Lakers with 541 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

Senior Tifaga Havili returns as the primary running back for the Lakers. Havili rushed for 204 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns in 2022. The Lakers averaged 23.4 points per game last year. With Johnson, Havili, and other starters back, the offense should put up more points.

6. Clearfield Falcons

The Falcons are excited to join Region 5 and want to bring more wins to their school and supportive fans. Quarterbacks Jordan Tovey and Wyatt Williams will lead the offense this season. Tovey led the Falcons with three touchdown passes last season and has improved throughout the summer.

Wyatt Williams will add another element of athleticism to the Falcon’s offense. At running back, junior Gage Miles will be the leading ball carrier for the Falcons. Miles is a strong runner with the ability to break off long runs. With three returning starters on the offensive line, the Falcons will be a much-improved offense, starting with Miles getting positive yards.

7. Viewmont Vikings

Senior Daren Tovey will lead the Vikings at quarterback this season after seeing limited action in 2022 as the backup. Tovey had an excellent summer and is ready for his moment as the starting quarterback.

The Vikings must replace its top two rushers from last season, Luke Jacobs and Miles McGrath. The duo combined for 1,850 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in 2022. Seniors Seth Valencia and Dax Nielsen are names to watch for at running back for the Vikings. Junior Cal Miller, a baseball commit to Brigham Young University, is an athletic player that could see action out of the backfield.

8. Northridge Knights

The Knights return last season’s starter, senior quarterback Porter Olsen. Olsen passed for 1,286 yards and 12 touchdowns. Olsen throws well on the run and allows his receivers to make plays. Olsen’s experience and returning playmakers at the receiver position give the Knights a reason to improve on the two wins from last season.

At running back, the Knights must replace last year’s leading rusher, AJ Tillman. Senior Braxton Barber looks to be in the mix, and other players will step up and fill the position to keep the ball moving for the Knights.

cover photo courtesy of Kim McFadden