Region 10 football preview: The players, teams and storylines heading into the 2022 season
Region 10 football kicks off on Thursday night as reigning Region 10 champion Desert Hills opens against Brighton. The rest of the region will face its first tests on Friday night.
The Thunder surprised everyone and finished undefeated in the region 10 in 2021, and have the majority of their offensive weapons back in 2022.
Earning the top spot in the 4A playoffs was a short-lived benefit for head coach Rick Berry's squad, as the top seed was beaten by Pine View on the last play.
The Panthers now look to rebuild after losing their star players, and will even have an interim head coach in KC Boyer as Ray Hosner recovers from hip surgery.
The 4A runner-up Dixie Flyers also lost plenty of talent, especially at the skill positions on offense and along the defensive line and secondary.
Dixie's losses only pale in comparison to the retooling effort done at Crimson Cliffs by first-year head coach Wayne Alofipo.
Snow Canyon will aim to join Desert Hills near the top of the league, as they join the Thunder in bringing back the best collection of talent from last year's 5-5 squad.
Both Snow Canyon and Desert Hills have quarterbacks that could take home Region 10 Player of the Year honors.
While Cedar and Hurricane didn't have the best of seasons last year, both bring back talent that could wind up on the 4A First Team.
Cedar Reds
Last year’s record: 2-8 (1-5 in Region 10) Lost to #7 Logan 46-24 in first round of 4A playoffs
Key losses: RB Ben Ellis, DL Parker Allen, WR Braxtan Torres
Key returners: QB Koden Lunt, WR Connor Hardman, WR DJ Warren, LB Bryson Bennett, DL Matthew Villa-Rowe
Cedar’s lone win in Region 10 came in the form of a 35-14 win over Hurricane. Cedar’s other win on the year was an overtime win over Cedar City and former Region 9 rival Canyon View 27-20.
The losses of running back Ben Ellis (1,310 yards, 13 touchdowns, 98 tackles) and defensive lineman Parker Allen (14 sacks) will certainly be felt by the Reds.
Cedar’s defense should still be in good shape with Bryson Bennett (119 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and Matthew Villa-Rowe (7.0 sacks) back in the fold in the front seven.
“He’s shown a lot of toughness on both sides of the ball. He’s a two-way starter for us and definitely a guy to keep an eye on,” said Bennett of Villa-Rowe.
At last Friday’s practice, head coach Josh Bennett and his staff preached mental and physical toughness for a group that allowed the third most points in 4A.
Bennett said the importance of toughness is keen for his team in particular with so many players having to play on both sides of the football.
Villa-Rowe is one of those two-way standouts, leading the offensive line at guard, protecting junior quarterback Koden Lunt.
Lunt returns after throwing for 1,737 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.
Lunt is also the leading returning rusher with 180 yards and a pair of scores.
“He’s taken more command of the offense which is good,” said Bennett. “He understands our scheme and what we’re doing. He understands the position of all 11 guys which is important, and he holds other guys on offense accountable. His leadership has improved a ton.”
Connor Hardman was the top receiver for Cedar a year ago with 566 yards and two touchdowns and is back for his senior season.
Junior DJ Warren had 430 yards and two touchdowns and could be in for a breakout season.
“They’re starting to become better route-runners and understanding where defenders are and where they need to go on their routes. Just becoming smarter football players.”
Joining those two is Tel Hirschi, who was highlighted by Bennett in having a strong pre-season camp at receiver, as well as at free safety.
Cedar kicks-off its 2022 slate against 5A opponent Spanish Fork (7-3 in 2021).
Crimson Cliffs Mustangs
Last year’s record: 8-5 (4-2 in Region 10) Lost to #2 Ridgeline 49-34 in 4A semifinals
Key losses: RB/WR Kona Crowell, DL Fasito’otai Salanoa-Sagapolu, LB Jackson Griffiths, RB Easton Droubay, OL Dylan Pullen, S Corbin Cuff, LB Zach Andrus, DB Jaxson Cleverly
Key returners: Slot Connor Kell, DL Brooks Jensen, DL Scott Nisson, OL Stone Hansen, OL/DL Parker Andrus, Conley Ulrich OL, OL Zacob Zarate
New head coach Wayne Alofipo inherits a defense that lost its top 13 tacklers from the region’s top defense to graduation.
On offense, Crimson Cliffs also graduated its starting quarterback Gunner Orr and top running back in Easton Droubay (1,026 yards and 15 TDs). Kona Crowell transferred to Desert Hills.
More: New Crimson Cliffs head coach Wayne Alofipo aims to continue to build Mustang culture
Serving as Crimson Cliffs’ defensive coordinator for the last three years, Alofipo’s defense held opponents to ten points or fewer in six games in 2021, but the losses of Sasito’otai (Utah Tech), Jackson Griffiths, and Jaxson Cleverly are major blows to the unit.
Junior Brooks Jensen is the top returning tackler at 20 tackles and four sacks.
Fellow juniors Scott Nisson, Brayson Phillips, and Keawe Ahquin will step into premium roles for Alofipo.
The defense stepped up large in last week’s two-minute drills to close out practice, stopping the Mustang offense with an interception.
“We have zero varsity experience on the defensive side, but I’ve been quite astounded by the leadership I’ve seen on the defensive side,” Alofipo said, noting corner Brock Baker and linebacker Jordan Phillips, along with others, as stepping into leadership roles.
The Mustangs expect to start ten juniors and one senior on defense.
Steele Barben and Darius Strickland competed in a quarterback battle throughout camp to see who would replace Orr.
“We believe in competition so it’s our job to breed that and we provide those opportunities,” said Alofipo.
Following Saturday’s red and white scrimmage, Barben was named the starting quarterback, per Alofipo.
With Barben cemented as QB1 for the time being, the junior quarterback will be protected by an offensive line that returns four of five starters from last year.
“Anyone who knows real football knows it’s won in the trenches. So, we’re going to lean on that OLine to make sure that they bring confidence to not only the offense, but the team as a whole. They’re definitely going to have to lead from the front.”
On the perimeter, Connor Kell returns as the top target with 305 receiving yards in 2021.
Only Owen Peterson’s five yards return alongside Kell. Now, the wide receiver room adds Boston Adamson, Luke Childs, and basketball standout Jordan Eaton.
Crimson Cliffs plays Green Canyon (7-3) to open its season.
Desert Hills Thunder
Last year’s record: 9-2 (6-0 in Region 10) Lost to #9 Pine View 37-35 in second round of 4A state tournament
Key losses: WR/DB Awsten Turnbow, TE Eric Olsen, LB Cy Nunley, DT Dawson Bundy, DT Robby Tangren, DE/OLB Christian Bolli
Key returners: QB Noah Fuailetolo, RB Tyden Morris, RB Zach Ford, WR/DB Lincoln Holmes, DB Tayven Mortensen, OL Stewart Taufa, TE/LB Cyrus Polu
The Thunder took the league by storm a year ago with a surprising run to an undefeated Region 10 mark after being projected to finish fourth in Region 10.
A loss to Pine View in the quarterfinals cut the dream of a state title short in head coach Rick Berry’s first season.
“The only thing you learn from that is you have to play the full game. We had the game in hand and the last play went the other way. Those are learning lessons for everybody.”
Desert Hills now returns top-end talent on both sides of the ball and are now projected to win Region 10.
“Hopefully the kids realize pre-season rankings really don’t mean a whole lot,” said head coach Rick Berry. “We were picked by the experts I guess to finish fourth and we wound up running the table and that’s a testament to them.”
Now all eyes will be on Desert Hills as they return starting quarterback Noah Fuailetolo and his 2,308 yards and 26 touchdowns to go along with only five interceptions.
“He had a huge jump from his sophomore to his junior year," Berry said. “I think in terms of pre-reads of defenses to understanding progressions and to look and understand the offense, I fully expect him to have that type of leap from his junior year to his senior year. I think Noah has a great future and this will be an interesting year for him.”
More: Pair of quarterbacks highlight candidates for Region 10 Offensive Player of the Year
Tyden Morris is back after rushing for 923 yards and 14 touchdowns.
More: Morris, Desert Hills, run over Pine View on way to first Region 10 Title
The running back group received a boost with Kona Crowell transferring in from Crimson Cliffs. Crowell had 50 carries for 260 yards while serving as the backup to Easton Droubay for the Mustangs. He also had 32 catches for 407 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.
Alongside Zach Ford, Berry’s offense features a pair of players who can line up all over the field. Berry expects Ford to lineup mostly in the slot.
“You have three guys who can give you a lot of matchup problems that way and then you throw Tayven (Mortensen) with Lincoln (Holmes) and with some of the new kids in Ayzen (Cummings) and Javien (Cummings) to go along with it. Cyrus (Polu) playing a lot of slot and tight end as well, there’s quite a few weapons offensively.”
The Cummings move in from Hawaii to join Desert Hills.
Holmes had 408 yards and five touchdowns at receiver while posting 55 tackles on defense, and pairs with Mortensen in the back end to help offset the loss of Region 10 MVP Awsten Turnbow.
Mortensen had five interceptions in 2021.
Polu is another two-way player for the Thunder, recording 25 tackles as a freshman and was frequently targeted by Fuailetolo in practice last Thursday at the tight end spot.
“Cyrus has got a ton of upside,” Berry said. “He’s only 15-years old but yet he plays like a senior. He’s got so much upside potential with him. Not only does he have size and speed, but he has great hands as well.”
The offensive line should be a strength, built around sophomore Stewart Taufa, who already holds D-I offers from Southern Utah and Baylor. BYU has also reportedly shown interest in the offensive tackle.
“He should have a lot of offers by the time he’s done,” said Berry. “Technically, he’s extremely sound. He’s a technician, which is great. The growth you’re going to see in him now is physically.”
Desert Hills was ranked 12th in the pre-season state rankings, per MaxPreps.
The Thunder play Brighton (8-3 in 2021) on Thursday to open their 2022 campaign in search of back-to-back region titles.
Dixie Flyers
Last year’s record: 9-4 (5-1 in Region 10) Lost to #2 Ridgeline 45-20 in 4A State Championship Game
Key losses: QB Bronson Barben, WR/CB Ja’Kheo Mitchell, DE Cade Hanson, CB Mamao Tofi, OL Kenneth Ericksen, RB/WR Shea Anderson, MLB Bode Ray, WR Derek Kesterson, OLB Truemann Alo, OL Honor Alo
Key returners: MLB Treven Alldredge, OLB Dave Hollings, RB Seth Takau, WR Mason Kesterson, WR Jaxon Barben, RB Jeffrey Christian, WR Blake Watson
The 4A runner-ups are one of just two teams that need a replacement at quarterback.
Utah Tech commit Bronson Barben landed on the 4A First Team despite missing time with an ankle injury, posting 1,731 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Top target and Utah State pledge Ja’Kheo Mitchell, as well as Shea Anderson and Derek Kesterson graduated.
A new-look receiving room will be led by tight end Mason Kesterson (335 yards, one touchdown) and Jaxon Barben (175 yards, two touchdowns).
More: Cox and White power Ridgeline to 45-20 4A State Championship win over Dixie
Leading rusher Seth Takau returns as the go-to option for the Dixie offense. Takau had 916 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jeffrey Christian is also back in the fold, coming off a 2021 campaign with 448 yards and five touchdowns.
New quarterback Jalen Schultz will be tasked with getting the ball to his wide receivers after being the JV quarterback a season ago.
“They all have varsity experience, and we can use Seth at quarterback if we have to,” said Dixie head coach Blaine Monkres. “He’s just a really good athlete. We have three offensive linemen back so we got a lot of guys with some experience on that side of the ball so hopefully they can step up and be leaders and Jalen can just go out and just relax and take care of the offense.”
Schultz targeted Kesterson time and time again in last week’s practice. Monkres had high praise for his 6-foot-3 senior.
“I think Mason’s going to be as good a tight end as there is in the league. He’s more of an h-back type guy but he’s got great hands, he’s got the big body, he’s strong. You saw him run through a couple tackles tonight. One guy is not going to bring him down… He’s perfect at that position for us.”
Dixie’s defense was hit hard with the departures of Cade Hanson, Mitchell, Mamao Tofi, Bode Ray and Trumann Alo.
Cole Stewart was projected to anchor the defensive line again after posting 50 tackles and five sacks but injured his knee in camp and is likely out for the year.
Dixie’s linebackers will be a strength, with Treven Alldredge and Dave Hollings returning, along with the addition of Jacob Dombroski.
More: Who's got next? The players entering the spotlight for Pine View, Dixie and Crimson Cliffs
“We had a lot of depth there (last year) and we had to move a lot of the linebackers to defensive line or into the secondary because that’s where most our depth was,” Monkres said. “We have Dave back, his shoulders are feeling good. We have Treven back and he’s great in the middle.”
Alldredge had 140 tackles, including 27 for a loss, and eight sacks. Hollings had 64 tackles and five sacks.
Chet Atkinson and Errol Dyer anchor the secondary following Mitchell and Tofi’s graduation.
Atkinson missed all of last year with an injured knee, but will be a physical presence at safety
Dixie starts 2022 play against Springville.
Hurricane Tigers
Last year’s record: 2-9 (0-6 in Region 10) Lost to #5 Sky View 34-3 in first round of 4A playoffs
Key losses: RB Levi Grondel, WR Ashton Williams, DB Dre Mendoza
Key returners: WR Carter Ashby, QB Jace Meacham, RB Alexander Stubbs, WR RJ Wright, TE/DE Nephi Iloa, LB Kellan Pledger
The 2021 season was a long one for Hurricane. The Tigers went winless in the region and lost their last nine games by a combined score of 441-110.
Wins over Richfield and American Leadership Academy were the lone victories.
“I think not worrying about getting record-wise and just doing what we can do and controlling what we can control and get better on the field,” said head coach Cory Ashby. “You hope that you put enough work in the off-season to have success during the season. I think these guys have worked their butts off… The only way to get out of what happened last year is to work our butts off this year.”
The Tigers could be on the upswing in 2022, starting by returning leading rusher Alexander Stubbs and wide receiver RJ Wright.
Wright might be the top receiver in the region. Wright had 46 catches for 923 yards and 11 touchdowns. The senior is the lone returning Tiger with over 100 yards.
“He just has the ability to go get a ball… He’s been one of those key guys that has just realized their potential," Ashby said. "It’s not just all this natural ability, although he has a lot of natural ability, he just works hard. And that’s what fun to see is his natural ability and his work ethic.”
Ashby finished the season with 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns as quarterback last year but will give way to sophomore Gerritt Grondel.
Junior running back Alex Stubbs had 388 yards and three touchdowns, both of which led Hurricane in 2021, and will take pressure off Grondel and Wright in the passing game.
New offensive coordinator Carl Franke will continue to open up the offense.
Ashby instead will play both ways for the Tigers, lining up at slot and also seeing snaps at quarterback.
Moving Ashby to wideout allows him to play more on defense at safety. Jace Meacham returns after suffering a broken ankle a season ago.
In front of Meacham and Ashby are junior linebackers Hunter Prince, Landon Stewart and Kellan Pledger.
“He’s a stud,” said Ashby of Pledger. “t will be fun to see him, he’s gotten a lot bigger. He just reads so fast.”
Adrixx Clegg headlines the defensive line.
Hurricane plays at home against Mountain Crest on Friday.
Pine View Panthers
Last year’s record: 7-5 (2-4 in Region 10) Lost to Dixie 42-20 in 4A semifinals
Key losses: WR/DB Dominique McKenzie, WR Marcus McKenzie, OL Peter Falaniko, WR/RB Turner Williams, DB Jeffrey Toloa, RB Keith Adams, WR Tyson Moten, Dylan Becker
Key returners: QB Abe Rosenlund, QB Tyler Brown, DB Jacob Sersansie, WR Blake Stucki
Four FBS commits leave Pine View replacing top-end talent from last year’s 7-5 roster.
BYU commits Marcus and Dominique McKenzie and Peter Falaniko leave holes at the wide receiver, corner, and offensive line positions.
Clemson commits Keith Adams requires replacements at running back.
Tyson Moten and Turner Williams also graduate from the receiving corps.
Blake Stucki now steps into a feature role at wide receiver.
“Blake’s one of our main guys at the receiving corps right now," said interim head coach KC Boyer. "He's got the most experience out of our receivers, a lot of them are young. I know Blake-when he’s out there I trust him to make the tough catches and he’ll go into space and do what he needs to do.”
Tyler Brown and Abe Rosenlund each saw first team snaps in the pre-season at quarterback.
Sawyer Woods threw 14 touchdowns and completed 57% of his passes, but moved to Colorado, opening the door for the two seniors.
“Right now, it’s good to have competition,” said Boyer. “Competition makes everyone better. If you only have one guy there’s no competition. They battle every day and they’re working, watching film, and doing a good job.”
Boyer is stepping up in the absence of Ray Hosner, who will miss the 2022 season recovering from hip surgery.
“It was a bit of an adjustment, when he broke the news to us,” said Boyer. “Everyone had to take on different roles, but everybody’s grasped (it) and they’re all bought in to the program. We’ve always preached that we’re going to what’s best for the kids and best for the program.”
Brown and Rosenlund each threw four touchdowns and three interceptions, but it was Brown who led the Panthers to a win at the last second over Desert Hills in the 4A playoffs.
More: Pine View upsets #1 Desert Hills on last-second touchdown from Tyler Brown to Turner Williams
Defensive back Jacob Sersansie headlines the key defensive returners for Pine View. Preston Christiansen also saw time in the secondary, recording 19 tackles in eight games. Tyson Dinsmore
Sersansie posted 35 tackles, and two interceptions for the Panthers in 2021. The senior is ranked as a two-star recruit, and holds offers from Georgia Southern, University of Charlotte, Arkansas State, and Morgan State.
“He’s fast and he’s physical. His top thing is plays fast and physical, he’s a tough-nosed kid and just goes out there and grinds.”
Snow Canyon Warriors
Last year’s record: 5-5 (3-3 in Region 10) Lost 31-22 to #9 Pine View in first round of 4A state tournament
Key losses: S Logan Mendenhall, DE Drake Kelly, LB Landon Robinson
Key returners: QB Hunter Johnson, WR/DB Brooks Esplin, WR Will Warner, WR Jake Hill, LB Rockwell Jones
Snow Canyon returns its receiving corps and quarterback Hunter Johnson for what might be the top offense in Region 10 in 2022.
Johnson threw for 2,118 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2021.
The trio of Brooks Esplin, Will Warner, and Jake Hill combined for 73 catches, 1,421 yards and 21 touchdowns.
“I think the question will be for them is high expectations-how do you do when you’re expected by your own team, your own community, by all the teams you’re going to play to be very good- how do you perform in that case as a senior,” said head coach Mike Esplin. “We know we’re fast, we know the offense- how physical can we be? If I was on the outside looking in-and I tell the kids this- how tough are they? You can’t really find that out until game one.”
Warner added 46 tackles on defense, with Esplin recording 35 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Esplin was a 4A First Team selection in 2021 at corner.
“He’s really confident on both sides,” said Esplin of Brooks. “I know that he can be a leader and I know that he’s good under pressure. That might be his best attribute.”
The addition of Dahrius Romander from Fremont adds star power to the secondary. Romander had 98 tackles and two interceptions in 2021.
“He was really easy to teach everything that we do at that safety position," Esplin said. "He’s done a good job at running back and that’s a little bit tougher with our offense to pick up. He’s tough. He doesn’t look very big, but he runs big and he tackles really big. He’s very good, very sound fundamentally and that’s kind of what he brings.”
More: Candidates for Region 10 Defensive Player of the Year: Returning 4A First Teamers lead
The Warriors graduate their top three tackles, including Utah Tech commit Logan Mendenhall but Rockwell Jones returns after posting 84 tackles.
For Snow Canyon, taking that next step from .500 and into the top-tier of Region 10 and 4A teams will rest on the speed of the offense with Johnson and company, and a strong secondary which could land two potential First Team nods by season’s end.
Spectrum pre-season poll:
Desert Hills
Snow Canyon
Dixie
Crimson Cliffs
Pine View
Hurricane
Cedar
Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. To continue to support his work, please subscribe to The Spectrum. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanEllertson.
This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Region 10 football preview: Players to watch, teams to follow
