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SALT LAKE CITY — We know one thing for certain in 2A. There will be a new state champion.
Manti has won the last two titles in 2A but they have moved up to 3A leaving a group of fifteen small schools to chase the 2A trophy in 2013.
San Juan is the preseason favorite to claim that trophy, something they have done six times before.
The Broncos to enter the season with a lot of question marks. They don't return many starters and will be relying on underclassmen to step up in their first varsity action.
South Summit is also breaking in new players at the skill positions but their advantage will be experience on the line of scrimmage. They return four starters on that line including all-state performer Brad Richins.
If both teams survive the road trip to Bear River this will likely be a 3AA North Championship game and a possible preview of the state championship game.
San Juan at Snow Canyon: August 23Last year the Broncos welcomed Snow Canyon to their stadium and sent the 3A team home with a loss. This year they must make the trip to St. George but a win would create even more buzz and build confidence for this inexperienced group.
Grand at San Juan: Thursday, Oct. 17The last team in the 2A South to beat San Juan was Grand back in 2006. It won't be easy on the road but there is a good chance a win in this game will give Grand a region title.
South Summit at Millard: Friday, Oct. 18With Manti now in 3A Millard is likely the only team in the 2A North that stands in South Summit's way. There is a good chance this game will determine a region title and No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
South Summit at Morgan: Friday, Aug. 30Morgan is the preseason favorite to win a 3A state title. South Summit could make quite a statement by knocking them off.
Beaver at South Summit: Sept. 13How Beaver performs on the road against a contender like South Summit could determine their chances of challenging San Juan and Grand in the 2A South.
No. 3 Millard should be solid once again but, like San Juan, they will need some unproven talent to step up if they are going to win a 14th state title. They must find a way to replace 2011 2A MVP Jesse Rhodes who who finished his high school career with 4,705 yards and 60 touchdowns.
No. 4 Grand might have enough talent to knock off San Juan in the 2A South region. Star running back and defensive standout Koi Cook is joined by fellow returning all-staters Jacob Francis and Edgar Gomez.
Beaver also has the talent to make some noise in 2A. Jesse McMullin returns after a 1,000 yard rushing season. If they can get solid play in trenches they can also make some noise in the 2A South.
Summit Academy makes the move up from 1A and received votes in the preseason poll as did North Summit.
5 players to watch:
Koi Cook, Grand
He stars on both sides of the ball and is an MVP candidate. He rushed for 868 yards and 12 touchdowns and led the team with 118 tackles last season.
Brad Richins, South Summit
The first team all-state lineman in 2012 anchors what should be the best offensive line in 2A.
Wyatt Anderson, South Sevier
Anderson is an all-state honoree in 2012 and four-year starter for the Rams.
Jesse McMullin, Beaver
He rushed for 1,061 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2012 and is expected to have similar production for the Beavers.
Bronze Eldredge, San Juan
He's just a sophomore but big things are expected of the underclassmen and the speed of his development could help determine how good San Juan will be this season.
