The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Every coach knows how important special teams are to each game and their team’s success. Last season the Farmington Phoenix saw the Corner Canyon Chargers block a punt and return a kickoff for a touchdown; those plays resulted in a playoff victory for the Chargers. The Phoenix did see Jed Judkins become the most dominant kick blocker in the state and forced teams to account for him on every kick.

Davis Darts’ kicker Gage Butler nailed a 49-yard field goal in the last seconds to beat their rival the Layton Lancers 26-23 in a thrilling finish. Here is a look at the region’s top special teams unit going into the 2023 season.

1. Syracuse Titans

The Titans return First Team All-Region and First Team Hive Sports kicker senior Rhett Thompson. Thompson was a perfect 50 out of 50 on point after attempts and was 13 out of 16 on-field goals. He also will handle kickoff duties for the Titans. Thompson is a great athlete and was part of the 2022 Titans boys champion soccer team.

Senior Tanner Perrone also returns as the punter for the Titans this coming season. Perrone averaged 37.1 yards per punt and was dependable all season in kick placement. Senior DeAngelo Mayes and junior Preston Haney could handle kickoff and punt returns. Mayes totaled 272 kick return yards to lead the team, and he is a threat to break a game wide open with his speed.

2. Farmington Phoenix

The Phoenix will see senior Drew Romney back as the placekicker. Romney converted on 39 of 42 point after attempts in 2022. The Phoenix replaced several playmakers from last year, and Romney could be called on to attempt more field goals this season.

Sophomore Jaxon Beynon will be the primary kickoff specialist for the Phoenix. Senior Cole Bingham has been impressive with his summer punt placement and hang times. Look for Bingham to contribute for the Phoenix as the punter when the season starts.

Losing a well-rounded player in Dayton Runyan will challenge the Phoenix on special teams. Look for seniors Jake Metcalfe, Nao Medeiros, Charlie DeAnda, and Noa Santiago to take turns producing in the return game for the Phoenix.

3. Fremont Silverwolves

The Silverwolves have the major challenge of replacing the University of Utah signee and 2022 All-state kicker Dax Iverson. The new kicker for the Silverwolves will be sophomore Cam Graves.

As much as they need to replace Iverson, the Silverwolves possibly have the best kick returners in the region returning with seniors Noah Austin, Luke Shulz, and junior Jace Hadley. Austin averaged 10.3 yards on 11 punt returns, and Hadley was impressive in averaging 26.3 yards on 17 kickoff returns.

4. Layton Lancers

Junior Ryan Wensel had an outstanding season last year as the kicker for the Lancers, converting on a perfect 9-9 field goal attempts and 22-24 on extra points. Senior Tayler Egbert also has experience as the Lancer kicker.

Punting duties have been an open competition for the Lancers this off-season. The Lancers will have new kick returners for the 2023 season. Gabe Lopez has speed and quickness and can break open long returns.

5. Weber Warriors

The Warriors must find a new punter and kicker for the upcoming season as 2-year starter Jace Jones has graduated. Junior Alex Johnson is a candidate as the next kicker/punter. Warriors’ kick returners are sophomore Salesi Moa and junior Tyson Higgs.

Moa led the team with a 22.7 kickoff return average on 11 chances, while Higgs was next at 20 yards per return on 20 opportunities. While Moa and Higgs have the experience, the Warriors could use the speed of freshman Dyson Parker as a returner.

6. Davis Darts

Dart’s juniors Easton Frasure and Isaac Morrison will look to be back returning kickoffs and punts this season. Frasure had a total of 184 yards on nine kickoff returns in 2022. Morrison has proven to be dependable on punt returns during fall camp.

Senior Logan Sundloff returns as the kickoff specialist and will get a look at placekicker. Junior Finn Garff is also a player to watch to take on kick and punt duties for the Darts. Replacing All-Region and clutch kicker Gage Butler will be a high priority for the Darts.

cover photo courtesy of Shot By Aaron Photography (pixieset.com)