OCR Text |
Show THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, Football Section, Wednesday, August 26, 30 Page 1992 Balance a byword in M. pF.ep,iofeall ranks By DOROTHY KNOELL Herald Sports Writer Balance is the byword for the 3 A football races this year, according local high school coaches. Competition in Region 8 should be tough again, with almost any team in the running for the title. to have a definite favorite, but several teams have a shot to dethrone Emery". Spartans. REGION 8 The Springville Red Devils, who tied for the Region title last year with a 4-- 1 record, should again be challenging for the title. Springville made it to the quarterfinals of the 3A tournament last season. The Red Devils have some holes to fill, but usually manage to do that. Back are the likes of Chad Derrell Small Lyman John Skiba and Jason Greg Bird (WR-DB- ) who is a junior Walker but will be starting for his second straight year. . The backfield will be almost all .new, however, with the departure of running back John Penrod and quarterback Jake (DE-OT- ), (LB-OL- ), (OL-DL- ), DB-WR- ), All-Regi- All-ma- n. Taking over at quarterback will be Jeremiah Dellamas.a senior who- saw some limited action at the slot last year. Joe Tippetts, who will double at linebacker, will be ni'jnninn tn t r 'jrl it irn fi rH mn- ning back slot for the Red Devils. Offensive lineman Jeff Jackson is another new face to keep an eye on. - 1 "We're thin in the backfield it's always tough to replace people like John Penrod." said Springville coach Doug Bill':." "Bat we have a lot of linemen returning, and that should help the new back-field. "Were . . really inexperienced, so it will probably take a few games to get things going. We have a tough and have a lot of growing to do." Bills 'said he 'thought Region $ would be "pretty even" this year, with traditionally tough Dixie, one pre-seaso- n, last of the league's year, in the thick of the race. "Pine View has a new coach, n and I suspect they'll be good. looks improved, and- Spanish Fork should be better. I think over- t wili be a pretty even rate." Doug Snell, coach of another of last year's region Spanish Fork, agreed with Bills. "I don't think anybody in the league will go through' undefeated," he sa id , ."Springville and Dixie will always be ift there they have such great programs. But I think anyone in the league has the opportunity to be region champ 'this year," he said. That includes Snell's "team,, which will be "inexperienced but talented this fall. Qnly two.startefs return, but they are good ones. Ryan Barbet, a flankerfree safety, is "one of the best in the state, in my opinion," Snell said," and Courtney Petersen,' a lineman, will ps Pay-so- - lines help anchor the on both offense and defense. Other players to watch for the IT A Dons include Jason Williams and (DB), Kody Pierce (DB-WNathan Thompson (OL-DL- ). The Dons will have a new quarterback pulling the trigger for them this year, along with a new running back to replace star runner Matt Marziale. Snell said Shane Leif-solast year's jayvee quarterback, and Chris Houghton are battling for the QB slot, while running back "is still up for grabs" after the first few days of practice. "We have a lot of new, young kids, and they're going to have to produce for us," Snell said. "This is the kind of team where everybody is going to have to play and we can't get by on two produce or three players. "But this is a good group. They hustle, and they aren't afraid of hard work. So, I think we'll be in n, T there." Another team that will probably be in there is Payson, which strugseason last year gled through a but appears to be ready to make a move this year. "We don't have a lot of experience, but we do have a little depth this year, which is different for -8 us," noted Lions coach Bart Peery. "In years past, we've had to have almost everyone go both ways. This year, it looks like we might be able to rest a few guys and have them go only one way . ' ' Herald PhottVJennifer Smith New QB Jeremiah Dellamas (9) moves over REGION 7 Lehi, which finished second mm last" season in Region 7 with a 5 overall record, looks to be loaded this season with the return of two-yestarter Cole Cooper at quarterback to lead a long list of returning start' ' ers. lot of expehave we do a "Yes, rience, with so many starters returning," noted Pioneer coach Jeff Kilts. "Our.lines are fairly young, but there's a lot of talent there. If we can bring our linemen around, we should have a good season, especially in region play." Cooper appears to be complete- 5-- Returning starters who will be providing leadership and some experience to the Lions squad include David Wall, a free safety who also got some starts in at quarterback last year, David Francom (OL), and Shaw n Dennis Evans (OL-Dnew faces the Parry (FB). Among to watch for are Man Davis (WR-CB- ), and Trent Riding (WR-CNate Lloyd (TE, SS). L) . Peery said he figured Springville, "as always," and Dixie "They have their quarterback would be the teams to back" beat in the league. . fall drills. center to take a snap during Sprirgville's ar (See3A,Page31) Utah County's Way to Go to the Game! all-i- The Air Magnum Force 34 basketball shoe. OFF EVERYDAY LOW. PRICES! iOM-ZO- mm i- -n Z i ' .4- - 2 m m 0 t rm m mm m u bwk |