RICHFIELD, Utah-Thursday, 3A South football media day occurred at the Quality Center with numerous student-athletes and coaches giving their thoughts on the upcoming season.
Participating schools, in order of appearance, included Juab, North Sanpete, Canyon View, Carbon, Manti and Richfield.
Richfield
1:44 pm
The Richfield Wildcats concluded media day proceedings. The Wildcats were represented by head coach Ryan Shaddix, utility player Emery Thorson, slot/cornerback Grant Kling (Richfield’s sole returning all-stater from 2021), safety, dime linebacker Dayson Torgerson and receiver/cornerback Brik Breinholt.
Shaddix gave plaudits to his various assistant coaches on the staff and lauded them for the experience they bring to the table.
Shaddix, whose Wildcats gave up 13 points per game last season, said 2021’s expectation is to “drop that by seven.”
When asked about expectations, Kling said the goal is to “create two or three turnovers a game” defensively.
Channeling his inner Michael Scott from NBC’s “The Office,” Shaddix said he is not “superstitious but he is a little stitious” when asked why he did not bring any linemen to media availability.
Shaddix confirmed that he is still a fan of linemen. Incidentally, last season, he brought four linemen to media availability.
Shaddix also said he is looking forward to getting “hit in the mouth” against Millard in the season opener eight days from now.
Shaddix confirmed his belief that the Eagles will come out with a “chip on their shoulder” and called them a strong and physical team.
Torgerson said he looks forward to opposing offenses being frustrated by the Wildcats’ defense.
Manti
1:25 pm
The Manti Templars were represented by head coach Cole Meacham, quarterback/defensive back Kayson Douglas, tailback/cornerback Logan Pogroszewski, guard/defensive tackle Braxton Henningson and middle linebacker/fullback Dallin Sweat.
Meacham confirmed it’s “weird” to be coaching against Austin Jackson (Union) and Austin Soper (Juab) as they were each former Templars football student-athletes.
Sweat confirmed the Templars gained vital experience last season as many sophomores were pressed into duty in varsity games.
Pogroszewski said he is looking forward to scoring his first career varsity touchdown when asked about his expectations for the season.
Meacham, citing the Templars’ four 3A crossover games (Union, Grantsville, Juan Diego and Morgan), said these games are litmus tests to help Manti understand where they are in their progression.
As a middle linebacker, Sweat said he hopes to “cause problems” for opposing offenses.
Carbon
1:05 pm
The Carbon Dinos were represented by head coach Phil Howa, slot/free safety Mason Vasquez, receiver/strong safety Cole Cripps, tackle/defensive end Hyrum Nelson and quarterback Wyatt Falk.
Howa stated he wants to see Falk be a leader and extolled his skills, confirming “he can run.” He also lauded Falk’s arm strength.
Nelson said he wants the Dinos to be united and Falk prefers that his Carbon teammates be prepared to play together. The Dinos emphasized team continuity during Thursday afternoon remarks.
Canyon View
12:45 pm
The Canyon View Falcons were represented by head coach Burke Miller, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Dallin Jones, fullback/linebacker/tight end Karver Mock, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Daniel Serna, receiver/defensive back Dawson Wood and hybrid player Nick Macias.
Macias, who classifies himself as a “running quarterback” says Miller, a new head coach, has put in a “challenging” new offensive system. Macias said he wants to see the offensive line get push against the defensive line.
Mock said he wants to see his Falcons teammates be “fearless.” Miller confirmed he is currently overseeing several positional battles as summer practices ensue.
Wood confirmed he and Serna are best friends and have been playing football together since 2nd Grade.
North Sanpete
12:25 pm
The North Sanpete Hawks were represented by head coach Rhett Bird, quarterback Tyler Allan, receiver/safety Beau Jacobson, tackle/defensive end Tyler Peckham and tight end/middle linebacker Jorge Murrillo.
Bird confirmed that generally, the offense will “look the same” as last season. He said the Hawks will adjust accordingly based on formations they will see from the opponent.
Bird also spoke of how Allan’s beginnings as a quarterback when he would fill in for Landon Bowles last season and he encouraged him to be himself.
In subsequent remarks, Allan says he tries to pattern his game after that of current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock.
Bird stated he wants all of his players to “show up and clock in every single day.” He cited the Hawks’ mentality is to “show up and give everything you have every single day” as summer practice sessions ensue.
Jacobson stated his favorite thing about football is making big plays and scoring touchdowns. When asked by moderator Robert Lovell about how many touchdowns he wishes to score this season, Jacobson confirmed “two a game.”
Juab
12:05 pm
The Juab Wasps were represented by head coach Mike Bowring, quarterback Alex Jackson, receiver Peyton Park, slot/safety Wes Nielsen and offensive lineman/linebacker Will Harmon.
Bowring said he will commence the season by evaluating players. He confirmed 120 student-athletes at Juab High School have come out for football this season.
Bowring said that he expects teamwork from his squad and wants contribution to the team to permeate the program.
Bowring said Juab has the philosophy of “getting kids in where we can.” He stated this is a key component in building a program. He cited that Jackson, Park, Nielsen and Harmon may not always like the methodology as they would prefer to play all four quarters.
Bowring lauded Jackson, Park, Nielsen and Harmon, however, for assuming responsibility and leading by example before each practice session.
Bowring stated these four young men are key ingredients in the successful culture that Juab football has become.
