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SALT LAKE CITY — The 2023 high school football season starts this week, and things will look a little bit different.
But maybe not at the top of the preseason rankings.
Corner Canyon is back in a Salt Lake Valley-centric league, joining Bingham, Riverton and the rest of the new-look Region 2. The Chargers leave behind now-Region 3, which welcomes reigning 5A champion Lehi to the all-Utah County league.
The 5A classification will consist of the usual four regions but with a host of former 6A Region 2 teams in a new-look Region 4, while 4A expands beyond the previous North-South split into four regions that include two on the Wasatch Front.
One more in the "more things change, more they stay the same" pile: Eight-player football is back with the required eight teams to stage a postseason tournament, thanks to a new player in the game (more on that in a moment).
Where does that leave the first KSL.com Top 20+1 of the 2023 season? Read on:
1. Skyridge (Last season: 13-1)
The defending 6A champions were the team to beat by the Region 3 coaches, and we see few reasons why that shouldn't be the case.
The Falcons return eight starters from last year's offense that ranked No. 1 in 6A, scoring 39.4 points per game, and three starters from the top-rated defense that allowed just 10.0 points.
The biggest adjustment may come at head coach, where Justin Hemm replaces Jon Lehman — the Falcons' program leader for the last seven years is now the school's athletic director.
2. Corner Canyon (Last season: 11-3)
If you like star power, look no further than the perennial Chargers, who finished runner-up in 6A to Skyridge a year ago.
Coach Eric Kjar's team is back in a new region, but with the same quarterback — four-star Utah commit Isaac Wilson — and the top-rated player in the state by 247Sports — 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle Isaiah Garcia, and six returning starters on offense (but just one on defense in 6-foot-5, 220-pound defensive end Kash Dillon).
3. Timpview (Last season: 10-3)
Last year's 5A runner-up was the overwhelming choice to lead the new-look classification by the Deseret News' coaches poll, earning 11 first-place votes.
The Thunderbirds return just three offensive starters (including BYU target Tei Nacua and sophomore quarterback Helaman Casuga), but a defense with six returning starters will provide a foundation for second-year head coach Donny Atuaia.
4. Bingham (Last season: 10-3)
The Miners finished 10-3 in coach Eric Jones' first season, and lost 47 seniors to graduation. Among the six total returning starters are junior offensive lineman Nick Hallock and senior tailback Carson Sudbury, a 6A second-team all-state selection a year ago who should provide a solid foundation for the otherwise young team.
5. Lone Peak (Last season: 7-5)
The Knights' returning strength will be on defense, with five returning starters back from a unit that allowed just 19.2 points per game a year ago. But BYU target Austin Pay should help break in a new quarterback and have Lone Peak back in the thick of Region 3 contention by season's end.
6. American Fork (Last season: 8-4)
The Cavemen's 8-4 record last year overshadowed a season that ranked No. 4 in 6A in the UHSAA RPI rating and quarterfinal appearance — and American Fork may just be getting started.
New quarterback Dylan Story has six returning starters on offense to help him acclimate, with a defense led by BYU and Utah target Davis Andrews at safety in an experience-packed 3-3-5 formation.
7. Lehi (Last season: 14-0)
The Pioneers' run of back-to-back 5A titles may be tough to continue in their first season in 6A and a move to the region formerly known as 4, especially after head coach Ed Larson's team lost 46 seniors prior to the move.
Jensen Somerville and Ryker Peterson anchor an offensive line that will break in new quarterback Jett Niu, and senior tight end Grayson Brousseau will provide a trusted target. Lehi's defense that ranked No. 1 in 5A at just 9.0 points per game returns just one starter, defensive back Kenneth Latu, and could lead to the Pioneers playing catch up as the Region 3 newcomer early in the season.
8. West (Last season: 9-3)
The good news? Head coach Olosaa Solovi has sparked a revival in Panther Town with a 30-14 record in his four previous seasons leading his alma mater, and returning two thirds of last year's starting offense, including dynamic back Isaiah Su'esu'e.
The bad news? Just three returning starters on defense could have West winning more track meets before returning to the No. 2-rated defense in 6A last year that allowed just 11.7 points per game.
9. Orem (Last season: 8-5)
New coach Lance Reynolds Jr. takes over a Tigers squad that brings back eight starters on offense, including BYU target Lance Reynolds III at quarterback and the state's top-rated tight end in Utah target Roger Saleapaga.
Orem also brings back just three starters from last year's defense, a unit that allowed nearly 30 points per game.
10. Farmington (Last season: 10-3)
The Phoenix weren't Region 1 champions a year ago but had top-ranked Corner Canyon on the ropes before falling in the 6A semifinals 45-28.
This year's squad brings back just three starters on offense — none of them on the line — and has a completely rebuilt defense led by Northridge transfer Jacob Speredon on the line and Afu Fiefia, the son of new Weber State tight ends coach David Fiefia, in the secondary.
11. Brighton (Last season: 9-2)
Casey Sutera's debut season as head coach should be remembered for the Bengals' undefeated 6-0 mark in Region 6, but it may be known for their 28-20 loss to Olympus in the second round.
Quarterback Jack Johnson and Brighton's six returning starters each on offense and defense will try to help Bengals' fans forget about that last part.
Getting ready for our regular season opener next week Friday 8/11 vs @deserthillsfbpic.twitter.com/UVRxPfAZ5C
— Brighton Football (@BrightonBengal) August 5, 2023
12. Syracuse (Last season: 8-3)
The Titans were undefeated in Region 1 play last year, outscorcing opponents 262-43 before a first-round playoff exit to No. 11 Lone Peak. Syracuse brings back third-year starting quarterback Jake Hopkins and nine total starters, five of which play defense.
13. Alta (Last season: 6-6)
Expectations are high for Alema Teo's ninth season at Alta, with eight returning starters led by quarterback Matt McKea on offense and seven more on a defense that allowed 21.2 points per game, good for No. 14 in 5A.
14. Bountiful (Last season: 7-3)
The defending Region 5 champion Redhawks will face plenty of competition to the title, but return six offensive starters and five on defense that should help defend it as well as anyone.
15. East (Last season: 7-5)
Can the Leopards return to form after last year's 7-5 finish that ended in the 5A second round? Head coach Brandon Matich calls a quarterback room led by senior Tucker McCormick the "best I've had since I've been at East," but the 2015 and 2016 state champs' option offense will continue to rely on running back Nunu Fonua and a senior-laden offensive line.
16. Granger (Last season: 5-5)
There's plenty of preseason chatter around the Lancers, the coaches' pick to win the new Region 4 led by California transfer (and BYU commit) Carson Sue'sue and five returning starters. But the league could prove deep with Kearns, West Jordan and an upstart Cyprus program among the contenders.
You never lose. You're either winning or learning, Grateful #DEESTROYING1O1#GHOUSE#BYU@granger_lancers@BYUfootball@BYUFBRecruiting@levelupelitesFB@Coach_Pala@BenMoa4@NILSPORTSMGT@RossApoWR_EZ@StuTua@Doc_Mayne@braeakana@morisuesue@melisasuesuepic.twitter.com/kUNpJkAmpV
— Carson Su'esu'e (@CarsonSuesue1) August 7, 2023
17. Springville (Last season: 8-2)
Last year's undefeated Region 9 champions will break in a new quarterback — junior Easton Condie for new BYU freshman Ryder Burton — but will lean on running back Tevita Valeti and two-way lineman Dallin Johnson, who has committed to the Cougars as a defensive tackle.
18. Crimson Cliffs (Last season: 10-3)
The Mustangs' season ended with a loss to Desert Hills in the 4A championship a year ago, but renewed hope returns in the form of nine of 11 defensive starters and a productive offense guided by quarterback Steele Barben and offensive coordinator Andy Stokes.
19. Davis (Last season: 8-4)
The Darts already returned a top defensive line prospect in defensive end Jordan Taula, then added Brighton's Viliami Moala, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound sophomore tackle with offers from BYU, Utah, Tennessee and Arizona State, among others.
Josh Barker is back at running back, boosting an offense that lost its top four receivers and saw quarterback Jackson Stevens hit the transfer portal for Skyridge after throwing for 3,253 yards.
20. Riverton (Last season: 7-5)
The Silverwolves played one of the more up-and-down schedules in the state last year, with wins over Syracuse, Springville, Mountain Ridge and Kearns — and losses to Dixie, Pleasant Grove and a 55-50 shootout loss to Davis in the second round of the 6A playoffs.
Can first-year head coach Jim Freeland help Riverton find some consistency in the first season since former coach Jody Morgan was named offensive coordinator at Herriman?
Plus-1. St. Joseph
The Jayhawks have no football history and no former star players but deserve a nod ahead of their first season of eight-player football under head coach Jeramy Hunt-Loveless.
St. Joseph had already planned to launch a football program, but the move became essential after Diamond Ranch was disbanded when the Utah Department of Health and Human Services denied the renewal of a license to the school's attached teen treatment facility in Hurricane.
That would have left eight-player football without the required number of teams to host a separate division (and postseason tournament) had the Jayhawks not entered the fray.
Monticello, Water Canyon, Rich, Altamont, Whitehorse, Monument Valley and the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind are likely grateful.
