2022 record: 7-4 overall, 5-2 Region 7

Playoffs: No. 12 seed, lost to No. 21 Olympus 24-8 in 5A first round

Players to Watch: Sr. WR/DB Cooper Swasey, Sr. WR/DB Dylan Wall, Sr. DL/OL Zayden Cook, Sr. QB Kade Edwards

Outlook: Payson is coming off its best season since 1978 and returns 13 starters, eight on offense. Brian Wall takes over as head coach after Arnold Ale left for Westlake.

“We have a senior heavy team with a lot of varsity experience,” Wall said. “If we stay healthy we should be competitive in every game we play. I believe in our players.”

Payson could earn a single-digit seed in the playoffs after dropping down to Class 4A. The Lions will compete in Region 8 with Provo, Salem Hills, Spanish Fork, Uintah, Mountain View and Timpanogos.

The passing game should be potent. Receivers Cooper Swasey (92 catches, 1356 yards, 16 TDs) and Dylan Wall (48-719-9) are dangerous and quarterback Kade Edwards, who Coach Wall said is the team’s most important player, threw 26 touchdown passes last season.

On defense, returners Zayden Cook (6-2, 255), Owen Cottle (6-3, 210) and Porter Beckstead (6-1 190) will lead the way.

Program Hero: “We have a really tight-knit group of parents that are very supportive. They have been that way since second grade football. The change in our program starts with them. These boys are the players they are because of the parents who helped them get there. They run the booster club and are on the coaching staff. They support every aspect of our program. We wouldn’t be successful without them.”