The Hive Sports

by James Tate

This is a part of an offseason series previewing teams in Davis and Weber County. To look at other team previews, click here.

Bountiful Redhawks

2023 record (10-5) (5-2)

Head coach: Jason Freckleton

The Redhawks 2023 season started with summer practices at the local elementary school and the season with six straight games at different stadiums. It ended as the 5A state runner-up at Rice-Eccless Stadium. The standard, teamwork, and commitment the Redhawks showed last season were on full display during their remarkable run-through to the championship game. The Redhawks know that was last year, and a new year will bring new challenges, and returning senior quarterback Emerson Geilman is ready to lead the way.  

“I think the biggest carryover from last year I’ve seen this offseason has been the standard that we have been holding ourselves to,” Geilman said. “Our guys have a much better understanding of the sacrifices that must be made if we want to play at an elite level. We’ve got great coaches and everyone is extremely committed and united this season.”

Losing two 2023 Deseret News First-team All-state players, Faletau Satuala (Brigham Young University) and linebacker Brigham Morrison, will be challenging, but the Redhawks are about responding to challenges.

Quarterbacks/running backs

Emerson Geilman, pc: Lesli Groves

The Redhawks fell short in the state championship game last season, but Geilman had a fantastic year. Leading the Redhawks into the title game, Geilman finished the season with 2,950 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes. Geilman is an experienced, big, and strong athlete ready to lead the Redhawks back to the top.

“This offseason, I’ve worked really hard with my teammates and have gotten faster and stronger,” Geilman said. “I’m so grateful for all I was able to learn last year and the experiences I had, and am so excited to get back out on the field again with my brothers.”

No back looked better in the second half of last season than junior Siaki Fekitoa. Fekitoa averaged 121 rushing yards per game and scored 11 touchdowns in the final five games, including the playoffs. His ability to break tackles and consistency bring toughness to the offense. Fekitoa is the region’s leading returning rusher after grinding out 1,140 yards and 17 touchdowns and was honored on the 2023 Deseret News All-State second team.  

Wide receivers/tight ends

Senior Britton Tidwell is the team’s leading returning receiver after pulling in 27 catches for 389 yards and three touchdowns. Look for some roster movement with the Redhawks receivers and players to go both ways, with competition making up for the new faces.

Seniors Beau Burningham, Damon Manwill, and Junior Tippy are players who will make an impact on the Redhawks’ receiving group this season. Generating big plays will open up the potent running attack that the Redhawks will display

Offensive/defensive line

Caleb Norris

The Redhawks are stacked at the offensive line positions with four returning starts. Senior Brian Bushman has been rock solid at the center for the last two years and was selected to the Deseret News 2023 All-State Honorable Mention team. Seniors Will Nixon, Bryan Socci, and Paxton Gibson are returners who are experienced and talented players who can play any position on the line.

The offensive line improved as the season progressed, as Fekitoa’s output showed. This group’s versatility in opening up running lanes and pass blocking is elite. Nixon is climbing up the ranks as one of the top linemen in the state after a great junior year and showing at summer camps.

Socci and Gibson play the guard position with toughness, excellent positioning, and finishing blocks. Junior Isaiah Amisone is a player to watch on the Redhawks’ offensive line this season.

According to 247 Sports, the defensive line will be outstanding with the return of Justice Taufa, a three-star recruit. Taufa is six feet four inches and 220 pounds and extremely difficult to block. Senior Caleb Norris is a returning 2023 Deseret News 5A All-state second team and all-region performer and will be a handful for offenses to keep out of the backfield. Norris showed his athleticism last year with a spectacular interception in the state championship game.

At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, senior Ethan Higginson is a significant player for the Redhawks in the middle of the defense to limit offenses running inside.

Linebackers/defensive backs

Tidwell (l) McSwain (r)

Josh Liljenquist returns at linebacker after finishing third on the team with 106 tackles last season. Liljenquist is an excellent all-around defensive player who can drop in coverage, rush the passer, and make open-field tackles. Junior Dawson Allsop saw significant time on the field last year and racked up 41 tackles at linebacker for the Redhawks. Junior Connor Mertz is a name to watch for the Redhawks this season.

Tidwell and Brock McSwain are secondary holdovers from last year’s team. Both are excellent defensive backs with great instincts and can elevate their play in big games. Tidwell led the team last season with eight interceptions and was in on 96 tackles. Tidwell was selected to the 2023 Deseret News 5A All-State Honorable Mention team.

McSwain finished last season with 100 tackles and is poised for a big senior year. The Redhawks totaled 24 interceptions last year, and if they get close to that number this season, they will be making a deep playoff run.

Special teams

Senior Landon Zayas returns after making 50 of 56 points after touchdown conversions and nine field goals in 2023. Brigham Black will handle the kickoff duties for another year for the Redhawks. Tidwell and Black will be the punters.

McSwain is the most experienced kick returner for the Redhawks and will lead the special teams return units.

Key games

August 29, 2024, vs Olympus Titans. The Titans took down the Redhawks last season 13-10. This year, the game is at home for the Redhawks against the tough Titans.

September 13, 2024, at Bonneville Lakers. The Lakers took down the Redhawks last year on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive for a 13-10 final score. Will the Redhawks return the favor in this region matchup this year?

October 10, 2024, at Roy Royals. It’s a rematch with last year’s Region 5 champions. The Redhawks had a fantastic run into the state championship game, but they missed out on being region champions to the Royals.

cover photo courtesy of Lesli Groves IG: havenrockphotography