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SALT LAKE CITY — Realignment has drastically changed things in 3A.
The larger 3A schools in Southern Utah and Northern Utah have been placed in a new 3AA classification.
The smaller 3A schools have combined with some of the larger 2A schools to form a new 3A that is more competitively balanced.
Morgan looks to be the favorite in the new 3A but the field is considered wide open.
The Trojans return key players including quarterback Ben Saunders, fullback Kade Carrigan and lineman Kyle Stapley. They reached the 3A quarterfinals a year ago and thanks to realignment are state title contenders.
No. 2 Manti may present Morgan with their toughest competition. The Templars make the move up from 2A where they won back-to-back state titles. Twelve returning starters will help with many of them on the offensive line.
No. 3 Judge took their lumps last year but return 17 starters including quarterback Kaden Ellis and look to be among the contenders in the new 3A.
A game that could determine the 3A North title
Juab at Manti: Friday, Oct. 11They are expected to be the top two teams in the region and if things go as expected leading up to this game it could determine region title. This will be the 45th meeting between the two schools.
Manti at Judge: Wednesday, Oct. 16It's not a region game but these two contenders meet late in the season and it could be a state championship preview.
Grantsville at Morgan: Thursday, Oct. 10These schools have a long standing rivalry that goes back to World War II. If Grantsville can get a win against Judge this game will take on even more meaning.
Granger at Morgan: Friday, Sep. 133A teams don't get many shots at the big boys this year. Morgan gets one at home against a very big and talented 5A team in Granger. It's an opportunity for a team as good as Morgan to see where they measure up against a big school.
Grantsville begins the season ranked No. 4 and also returns plenty of experience to make a run. LB/RB Ky Fisher leads a very physical football team.
No. 5 Juab hopes to return to the playoffs after coming up short last season. Junior Nick Robins will start at quarterback as the Wasps try to break in a lot of younger players. One returning player who will have an impact defensively is Dedric Davidson. The honorable mention all-state player as a sophomore had six interceptions last year.
Delta, Union and Richfield also received votes in the preseason poll.
5 players to watch:
Kaden Ellis, Judge
Ellis is one of the best all-around athletes in 3A starring for the Bulldogs in football and basketball. He is back after scoring 19 touchdowns as a junior.
TJ Pogroszewski, Manti
Pogroszewski made big plays as a junior at both receiver and linebacker helping Manti win a 2A state title. He now makes the switch to running back in the transition to 3A.
Nick Robins, Juab
You don't see many 6-4 pocket passers with a strong arm playing at this level. The junior won the starting job over a senior quarterback that threw for 2,000+ yards and 23 touchdowns so expectations are high.
Ky Fisher, Grantsville
Fisher has 186 tackles the past two seasons and is one of eight starters returning from one of the best defenses in 3A last year. He also is a talented offensive player scoring 16 touchdowns in 2012.
Bailey Faimalo, Emery
The point guard on the basketball team scored six touchdowns last year as a receiver but will now be making the transition to quarterback as his team makes the transition from 2A to 3A.
