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Show -, -M , , : p- ; , , . . Region Four race is anybody's to win as soccer season ppens By TOM H ARALDSEN Sports Editor One thing is becoming clear as the Region Four soccer season begins be-gins next Tuesdaythis year the race is wide open. Talk to coaches and they'll pretty much agree that any of five teams could win it this season, with only Highland appearing to be down a bit. East is vastly improved over last season, thanks in part to transfers trans-fers from South High. Here is a team breakdown of the four local squads: VIEWMONT VIKINGS Last year's surprising state champions lost their top players in graduates Jeff Smith and Dave Lauder. Back is all-state goalie Travis Godfrey, a senior, along with a strong defense anchored by senior Shaun Johnson. Also expected to start for the Vikes is senior Greg Albrechson, who has been slowed by a hockey injury . but should be ready for league play, as well as seniors Jeff Gray at fullback, Kelly Bland at stopper, Jeff Beckman at fullback, Dave Chidester at halfback, Casey Layton at halfback, and Matt Brenchley at halfback and forward. Joining him at forward will be sophomore so-phomore Nick Berry, while sophomores sopho-mores Josh Carmack and Kevin Campbell will also see plenty of action. ac-tion. The Vikes are coached this year by Roger Cushing. WOODS CROSS WILDCATS Coach Kevin Rigby's team has been known for its powerful offense the past few years, but the Soccer- cats have shown a strong defense this season. Woods Cross has plenty of firepower in seniors Dave Simon, second leading scorer last year even with a late-season injury kept him out of the playoffs, seniors Justin Shaw and Paul Benson at halfback, junior Chris Staska in goal, and senior Lee Wright helping out - Injuries to juniors Bret Linton and Lance Olson, along with so- phomore Ryan Creer, are about to heal, while junior. Ben Allred and sophomore Corby Egan also deserve de-serve mention. . The Wildcats saw their string of state titles end last season at four, and they're anxious to start things again this year. - BOUNTIFUL BRAVES The Braves of coach Dave Wigham will be paced by junior Gary 1 Olson, leading returning scorer in Region Four, along with seniors Brad Allen at "halfback, K.C. Greene at sweeper ("perhaps my most underrated player,' Wigham said), Steve Byers, Glen Jacobs, and Todd Thompson at forward. Bountiful's front line will be bolstered as well by Brazilian exchange student Stylanos Papoa-dopolus, Papoa-dopolus, "Pele" as he is called, who is fighting off an injury. : - Seniors Troy Jolley and Chad Pace will be halfbacks, sophomore Mark Jolley will be at center and halfback, with sophomores Brandt Holbrook and Jason Haslam helping help-ing out Goalies will be senior Cameron Holtzer and juniors Scott Carroll and Billy Kendrick. DAVIS DARTS The Darts have started strongly for coach Bruce Bitner, with a number of seniors and juniors making mak-ing up the starting rotation. In goal will be senior Brett Barlow, Bar-low, with seniors Joel Garr, David Read, Matt Guiste and Carl Gardiner Gar-diner at fullback, along with junior Mike Wooley. Senior Justin Morris is in the middle, senior Kevin Eard-ley Eard-ley on left wing, junior Eric Emmons Em-mons at halfback and senior Aaron Rasmussen at halfback and forward.-,... The forwards also include juniors Brian Kynaston, Sam Adams and Cody Olivera, and seniors Brigham Redd and Jake Davis. League openers on Tuesday will find Viewmont at Woods Cross at 7:30, while East hosts Bountiful and Highland visits Davis at 3:30. The state tournament is set this year for f May 18, 20, 22, 24, 25 and 26 at Hillcrest High School. |
