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.

Syracuse Titans

2023 record (7-4) (3-2)

Head coach: Mitch Tulane

The Syracuse Titans will kick off the 2024 season under the leadership of Head coach Mitch Tulane, a seasoned defensive coordinator and a proud Syracuse High alum. Tulane’s journey from earning all-state honors as a defensive back to his standout performance at Weber State University has prepared him to guide the Titans and uphold the values of Syracuse High School and the community.

“I love the game of football and what it has provided me,” Coach Tulane said. “From life-long real-world lessons, scholarships, and coaches serving as lifetime mentors, I owe a great deal to the sport. I will be an asset in young people’s lives to help them have the same great experience I had while learning to love the game of football. I will instill the core values and team values in the lives of our team.”

Coach Tulane is fully aware of the task at hand. He will mentor a young team that will grow and excel as the season unfolds. The Titans’ spirit and passion are noticeable, with every position brimming with competition and players eager to vie for a regional championship.

“We will be young and inexperienced,” Coach Tulane said. “With losing so many starters from a year ago, there is incredible opportunity. With that opportunity, it has created a lot of competition. We made great strides in the offseason in the weight room and feel like we got bigger, faster, and stronger. Many challenges are heading into year one, which is an exciting opportunity for me. We, as a staff, will have to coach and re-coach. We will earn our paychecks this year. These challenges also create a great opportunity to set precedents and expectations for our future.”

Quarterbacks/running backs

Ledger Wight

The promising sophomore, Ledger Wight, leads the Titans from the quarterback position. Having shown his potential during summer workouts, Wight is set to step into the shoes of the three-year starter, Jake Hopkins, and lead the team’s offense.

Senior running back A.J. Dehorney is ready for his opportunity to be the lead running back for the Titans this season. With his ability to run inside and outside, Dehorney will bring a home run threat to the offense and be a weapon in the passing game. Senior Hoyt Pula was used in short-yardage situations last year and will be used to keep the chains moving on offense. Junior Ryker Van Komen will also see time at running back and will complement Dehorney’s speed with his power.

“With Ryker and me in the backfield, people shouldn’t be so quick to count us out,” Dehorney said. “I am athletic and can run over people and juke out defenders. I am very comfortable in my skills wherever I am on the field. I’ll make plays when we need it, and I am very confident in my ability. Ryker can squat 500 pounds and will run anyone over that is stopping him and the goal line.”

Wide receivers/tight ends

Replacing all-state performers DJ Mayes (University of New Mexico) and Shaun Blanton (Southwest Baptist University) will be challenging. Still, senior Burke Rountree will lead a young and talented group ready to show their skills. Tanner Merrill and Kobe McGill are other receivers who will get opportunities to make plays for the Titans.

Rountree is a tall, athletic, physical receiver who runs excellent routes, can make tough catches, and finds openings in defense. Merrill will be a dependable receiver and help young quarterback Wight by developing great chemistry each game. McGill is speedy and will play in the slot or line up anywhere on the field to create matchup problems for defenses.

Ty Hunter

Offensive/defensive linemen

The anchor for the offensive line will be senior Ty Hunter. Hunter, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound returning starter, will team with seniors Manny Chapa and Antonio Maya to be stalwarts on the offensive line. Chapa can play center or both guard positions, giving the Titans a versatile lineman ready to help a young offense.

The Titans’ defensive line will be a strong unit, as Pula returns as one of the top linemen in the state. Pula and Marriner Richards can jump from rush ends to linebackers and use their athleticism to cause havoc for opposing offenses. Senior Sullivyn Vedaa will also be a player to watch on the defensive front for the Titans.

Richards surprised last year, finishing second on the team with 57 tackles. With his relentless motor from his defensive end position, Pula will be a game-changer and thrive in Coach Tulane’s defense. Senior Cole Hoakum will also see action on the Titans’ defensive front line this season.

Hoyt Pula

Linebackers/defensive backs

Richards will be a ballhawk when lined up at the linebacker position. Richards exploded onto the scene last year with a two-defensive touchdown game against the Herriman Mustangs. Richards scored on an interception return, and a fumble recovery scooped up and ran into the end zone.

Seniors Taysum Nacario and Alyk Valdez are athletic defensive backs ready to step into prominent roles in the Titan’s secondary.

The Titans will replace many departed graduates, but the young team learned from last year’s seniors, and the coaching staff is ready to coach and teach this new group.

“I am excited about this team and the values instilled in us,” Rountree said. “Coach Tulane has done a great job getting us ready for the season and the seniors we had last year were really good and taught a lot to the underclassmen. We know the shoes we have to fill and will make plays on Friday nights.”

AJ Dehorney

Special teams

Senior Easton Choate will be the team’s kicker this season. Choate had a strong summer, was impressive at several kicking camps, and has an offer to play at Southern Utah University.

McGill will get opportunities as the kick and punt returner for the Titans.

Key games

August 23, 2024, vs Brighton Bengals. The Titans defeated the 5A power last season 23-17 at Brighton. The Bengals will be looking to return the favor at Titan Nation this year.

September 27, 2024, at Weber Warriors. The Warriors season turned around last year with a 27-26 win at Syracuse. This game will be a classic Region 1 matchup.

October 16, 2024, vs Davis Darts. The battle of the last two region champions will be the regular season finale for the Titans.

photos courtesy James Tate