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SALT LAKE CITY — The Timpview Thunderbirds are favored to repeat as 4A state champions, according to the preseason KSL Coaches Poll.
Timpview must replace the production of 4A MVP quarterback Jake Lloyd, but the return of receiver Rhett Van Leeuwen should help with that transition.
Where offense was a strength last season, the Thunderbirds will rely heavily on their defense, which is loaded with talent. Four star prospect Isaiah Nacua has moved in from Las Vegas and will join returners Gabe Reid, Emmett Tela, Pio Stowers and Isaiah Holloway to form one of the best defenses in the state.
No. 2 East might be better than last year's team that reached the semifinals before a loss to Timpview. The Leopards return seven starters on offense and six on defense, with a roster that reads like a who's who of Utah college football prospects.
Wisconsin commit Ola Tulatau returns at running back, along with Preston Curtis, to lead the offense, while Arizona State commit Korey Rush and Stanford commit Christian Folau lead a strong and talented defense.
No. 3 Mountain Crest hopes to return to the state title game after taking Timpview to double overtime in last season's 4A championship. They are young but bring back plenty of talent to contend, led by RB/LB Gaje Ferguson and defensive tackle and Utah commit Kyle Christiansen.
Bountiful will likely have a say in this but the rivalry game between East and Highland could shape up to be a region championship game. After the controversy and drama surrounding East last season this matchup should be as heated as ever.
Logan at Mountain Crest: Thursday, Oct. 10One of the best rivalries in the state continues and once again a region title could be on the line.
Mountain Crest at Highland: Thursday, Aug. 22It's not often you get to see two title contenders face off in the opening week of the season but that will be the case next Thursday. These two schools have a long history after several season opening meetings and playoff contests including a double overtime classic in the 2010 state championship game.
Bountiful at Logan: Friday, Sept. 6Bountiful enters the season unranked but many still see this team as a championship contender. A road game at Logan early in the season will show just how good they are.
Olympus at Orem: Friday, Sept. 27The newly aligned Region 7 will be an interesting race to watch and these two teams look to be the top two. The winner of this game will have the inside track on the region title.
The Mustangs are expected to battle No. 5 Logan once again for the Region 5 championship.
The Grizzlies are led once again by a Nelson at quarterback, as Riley and DJ's younger brother, Chase gets his chance under center. His job will be made easier by the return of wideout Taylor Compton, who set a state record for receptions in a season with 107.
No. 4 Highland will look to challenge their rival East for Region 6 supremacy. Highland features one the best defensive tackles in the nation: Michigan commit Bryan Mone. He is joined by Pita Tonga, another highly recruited defensive linemen, to form one of the most feared defensive fronts in the state.
Bountiful, Box Elder, Orem and Roy all received votes in the poll and have high expectations this season.
5 Players to watch:
Bryan Mone, DT, Highland
Before Mone heads to Michigan, he will anchor one of the best defensive lines in the state and makes the Rams a title contender. He is ranked No. 76 in the ESPN 300, which ranks the top players in the country.
Ula Tolutau, RB, East
East has at least five players on their roster worthy of mention here, but Tolutau is the most high profile player. He is coming off a 1,000-yard rushing season and hopes to do the same and lead the Leopards to a state title before beginning his college career at Wisconsin.
Isaiah Nacua, DE, Timpview
Nacua transferred from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas and isn't well known in the state of Utah, but that is about to change. He is ranked in the ESPN 300 at No. 300. He hopes to have a similar impact at Timpview as Pita Taumoepenu did last year.
Nolan Gray, WR, Orem
Gray was 1st team all-state last year, catching 83 passes for 1,514 yards and 17 touchdowns. At 6-foot-4 and with 4.5 40 speed, he hopes to put up similar numbers for an Orem team that is the favorite in Region 7.
Gaje Ferguson, RB/LB, Mountain Crest
Ferguson was a key player on last year's team that reached the state championship game. He will be relied on more heavily by the Mustangs in 2013. After an impressive camp season including his performance at the All-Poly Camp he looks ready for the responsibility.
