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Note: The Darts finished 8-2 overall and 7-1 in region play. The season ended in the first round of the 5A playoffs with a loss to Jordan.KAYSVILLE — A lot of people avoid pressure, while some even try to deny it exists.
But the Davis football team is embracing the pressure of being ranked No. 5 in the state.
Ryan Bishop is in his 11th year as the head coach of the Darts. He now owns a 66-48 record at Davis, and a 91-57 record in his head coaching history. He graduated from Cedar High, and was the son of a football coach.Offense (4 returning starters)
The success of the offense will rely heavily on the three returning offensive linemen — Zach Lindsay, Spencer Rudolph and Brady Roth.Defense (2 returning starters)
The defense is led by defensive end Troy Hinds, who earned 58 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season. The senior committed to BYU on Monday, Aug. 8, and can now focus on helping the Darts pick apart opposing offenses. He's joined by middle linebacker Rossiter Potter and senior Cornerback Kyle Green, who didn't start but earned a lot of playing time as a junior.
"There is definitely pressure, but it's good pressure," said Rossiter Potter, a senior middle linebacker. "It's a teammates-are-relying-on-you kind of pressure. We have high expectations of ourselves, our teammates and our season."
One reason the Darts have such high expectations, the players said, is that they battle tough competition every Friday night. The talent of the Region 1's offensive players has highlighted just how good each team's defense is.
"I think (all of the teams are tough defensively) because we have such great offense, like Nick Vigil (junior running back) at Fremont," said Potter. "We take pride in being able to stop them in their tracks."
With the changes, however, Region 1 lost Clearfield, Viewmont and Roy to realignment. Both coaches and players see the change as a chance to get even better.
"Our region went from tough to dang tougher," he said. "There is absolutely no room for error. I feel like from top to bottom, from the first team to the sixth-place team, it's the most competitive region in the state."
Senior halfback Logan Thomas said fewer teams in the region means fewer teams headed to the playoffs.
"It's more of a challenge," he said. "I'm excited for it."
Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs, this year's team is far from discouraged.
2011 Schedule
| Aug. 19 — at Brighton, 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 26 — VIEWMONT, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 1 — LONE PEAK, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 9 — Hunter at Weber State, 8 p.m. |
| Set. 16 — at Syracuse, 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 23 — at Fremont, 7 p.m. |
| Set. 30 — LAYTON, 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 7 — WEBER, 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 14 — at Northridge, 7 p.m. |
"I think we did the best we could," he said. "Hopefully we can have a good season."
Head coach Ryan Bishop is looking forward to the new challenges this season will bring. Because the community is always so supportive of the program, Bishop said the team's achievements become cause for celebration for the entire Kaysville community.
"We're a true school community," he said. "We don't pull kids in from various junior highs, so we're really the flag bearers of this community. I tell the kids, we represent not only a school but an entire community. And I think it's a big deal that any time we have success here, the entire community shares in it."
As for goals and aspirations this season, Bishop is hopeful, positive and non-commital.
"We just want to be the best football team that we can be," he said. "We work hard everyday; we prepare everyday. If we take care of all of the little things, the success will follow."
His players understand his philosophy and agree.
"We'll just do the best we can," said Thomas. "Everyone wants to win."
