1 / 6

Lone Peak coach Bart Brockbank (center) is doused with water from a Powerade container after the Knights claimed the 6A state football championship with a 49-42 victory against Corner Canyon at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. (Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald)

2 / 6

Skyridge's Jace Doman (second from right) and Collin Sheffield (far right) celebrate Doman's interception during the 6A football state semifinal against Lone Peak at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (Patrick Carr, Special to the Herald)

3 / 6

American Fork players take the field before the Region 4 game against Corner Canyon in American Fork on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

4 / 6

Lehi players celebrate with the title trophy after the 5A state championship game against Springville at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

5 / 6

Orem running back Kolton Brown gets tackled during the 5A semifinal game against Springville at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald)

6 / 6

The Springville football team mauls tight end Walker Deede after the game-winning catch against Orem in the 5A state semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald)

❮ ❯

High school football expert Brian E. Preece ranks every team in the state of Utah prior to the start of the 2022 season (Utah Valley-area teams in bold):

1. Lone Peak (6A): Returning 6A Champs No.1 in Power Poll until knocked off

2. Corner Canyon (6A): Chargers definitely want to return to the top of 6A

3. Lehi (5A): Defending 5A champs have coaching and pieces to repeat

4. Skyridge (6A): Falcons want to soar to supremacy in 2022

5. American Fork (6A): Reloading Cavemen should have high flying offense again

6. Bingham (6A): Miners always a solid 6A program

7. Timpview (5A): Early playoff loss to Lehi has Thunderbirds wanting more in 2022

8. Orem (5A): Tigers want to return to the top and might have talent to do so

9. Ridgeline (4A): Returning 4A champs won’t give up title easily

10. Weber (6A): Warriors have been strong program in recent years

11. Farmington (6A): Phoenix could be the team to beat in rugged Region 1

12. Riverton (6A): Silverwolves have made huge strides the last two seasons

13. Desert Hills (4A): Some touting Thunder as the team to beat in 4A

14. Stansbury (5A): Stallions proved wares by making 5A semifinals in 2021

15. East (5A): Leopards hope to return to championship ways

16. Olympus (5A): Solid program in recent years always must be respected

17. Syracuse (6A): Titans hope to contend in Region 1.

18, Mountain Ridge (6A): Sentinels hope to penetrate further in 6A playoffs.

19. Brighton (5A): Bengals going for third league title in a row.

20. West (6A): Panthers showing signs of returning to glory days

21. Springville (5A): New head coach but a familiar face to Red Devil program

22. Alta (5A): High-flying offense a staple of the the Hawk program

23. Dixie (4A): Flyer program always seems to soaring

24. Bountiful (5A): Braves reestablishing traditional winning ways

25. Wasatch (5A): Wasps gave Lehi its biggest scare in the 5A playoffs last year

26. West Jordan (6A): Jaguars have been solid in recent years

27. Herriman (6A): Mustangs want to make push in Region 3

28. Green Canyon (4A): Many see the Wolves as the team to beat in 4A North

29. Provo (5A): Bulldogs could be a surprising force in 5A

30. Spanish Fork (5A): Dons hope to back up fine 2021 season

31. Kearns (6A): Cougars should be a contender in Region 2

32. Sky View (4A): Bobcats have established a stellar program

33. Snow Canyon (4A): Warrior faithful have big expectations in 2022

34. Westlake (6A): Stuck in Region 4, Thunder will be better than record indicates

35. Cedar Valley (5A): Aviators could make big jump in fourth season of existence

36. Pine View (4A): Panthers always seem to be a factor in 4A

37. Hunter (6A): Wolverines want to power back to the top of Region 2

38. Davis (6A): Darts want to return to traditional winning ways

39. Fremont (6A): Silverwolves should be competitive in 2022

40. Pleasant Grove (6A): Vikings want to put dreadful 2021 season in rear-view mirror

41. Beaver (2A): Traditional small-school powerhouse looks strong again

42. Morgan (3A): Trojans touted as team to beat in 3A in 2022

43. Roy (6A): New coaching staff hopes to keep Royals competitive

44. Maple Mountain (5A): Golden Eagles could surprise foes in 2022

45. Salem Hills (5A): Skyhawks seek redemption after bad season last year

46. Grantsville (3A): Cowboys will be tough to beat in 3A

47. Crimson Cliffs (4A): Newer school making hughes strides on gridiron

48. Timpanogos (5A): T-Wolves looking to back up their break-through season last year

49. Jordan (5A): Beetdiggers have found Region 8 to be a struggle

50. Juan Diego (3A): Soaring Eagle always a contender in 3A gridiron wars

51. Park City (5A): Miners gave Skyline its first ever home playoff defeat in 2021

52. Skyline (5A): Golden domers want to return to powerhouse days

53. Bonneville (5A): Lakers hope to be on top side of 5A Region 5

54. Juab (3A): Wasps will be a force in 3A

55. Layton (6A): Lancers pushing for respect in Region 1

56. Box Elder (5A): Bees will improve as season progresses

57. Mountain Crest (4A): Mustangs have enough returning starters to worry opponents

58. Summit Acad. (3A): Charter school should be a contender in 3A

59. South Summit (2A): Big expectations for Wildcat program in 2022

60. Woods Cross (5A): Wildcats hope to bounce back after off-year in 2021

61. Viewmont (5A): Vikings hope to surprise some teams in 5A Region 5

62. Cedar City (4A): Reds always play tough-minded football

63. San Juan (2A): Returning state champs hope to repeat

64. Highland (5A): Ram program has been down in recent years

65. Logan (4A): Grizzly program hopes to reverse recent fortunes

66. Delta (2A): Delta program ready to dominate foes again

67. Manti (3A): Templars always a rugged small-school team

68. Clearfield (6A): Falcons stuck in tough Region 1

69. Murray (5A): Spartans hope to make waves in competitive Region 6

70. Millard (2A): Eagles hope to contend in 2A

71. Tooele (5A): Buffs want to make some noise in Region 7

72. Northridge (5A): Knights hope to make progress in 2022

73. Duchesne (1A): Eagles could be the team to beat in 2A

74. Bear River (4A): New coaching staff has huge challenges in 4A Region 11

75. Granger (6A): Lancers want to make 6A playoff field

76. Payson (5A): Fourth head coach in four years for Lion program

77. Richfield (3A): Wildcats hope to make next step in 3A gridiron wars

78. North Sanpete (3A): Hawks play a physical style of football that makes foes wary

79. Cyprus (6A): Pirates hope to score some wins in 6A Region 2

80. Canyon View (3A): Falcon fortunes have improved once going 3A

81. Mountain View (5A): Expect the Bruins to be better in 2022

82. Milford (1A): Tigers want to return to the top in 1A

83. Enterprise (1A): Wolves are tough and physical team

84. Layton Christian (1A): Many expect Eagles to be the 1A team to beat in 2022

85. Copper Hills (6A): Grizzlies hoping some wins will come in 2022 season

86. Kanab (1A): Traditional 1A powerhouse hoping to contend in 2022

87. Ogden (4A): Tigers hope to keep improving

88. Uintah (5A): Utes were able to win some games in 2021

89. Taylorsville (6A): Being in Region 2 gives Warriors some hope for wins

90. Hurricane (4A): Tigers have struggled in recent years

91. Hillcrest (5A): Huskies hope to win some games in Region 7

92. Cottonwood (Ind.): Colts will play independent schedule

93. Union (3A): Cougars hope to battle better in 2022

94. Providence Hall (3A): Patriots could be on the cusp of being a 3A contender

95. Parowan (1A): Ram program has made huge strides in recent years

96. Emery (3A): Spartans hoping to improve fortunes this season

97. South Sevier (2A): Rams hope to be among 2A elite when the dust settles

98. ALA (2A): New head coach hopes to change fortunes for Eagle program

99. North Sevier (1A): Being in 1A will help Wolfpack win games

100. North Summit (1A): Braves hope for winning season

101. Carbon (3A): Dinos hope to have more success in 2021

102. Judge Memorial (3A): Once proud program suffering through some tough times

103. Gunnison (1A): Bulldogs may play some 8-player football this season

104. Grand (2A): Red Devils had miserable season last year

105. Ben Lomond (4A): Victories have been elusive for the Scot program

106. Monticello (1A):* Slated to play 8-player football and open season hosting Rich

107. Rich (1A):* Rebels slated to play 8-player football

108. Whitehorse (1A):* Raiders will play 8-player football and 11-man football

109. Mon. Valley (1A):* Like Whitehorse, Cougars will play mixed schedule

110. Altamont (1A):* Longhorns return to gridiron playing 8-player football

111. USDB (1A):* 8-player football for Utah School for the Deaf and Blind

112. Water Canyon (1A):* High school in polygamous community will play 8-player football

Utah County/Wasatch Rankings: 1. Lone Peak (#1) 2. Lehi (#3) 3. Skyridge (#4) 4. American Fork (#5) 5. Timpview (#7) 6. Orem (#8) 7. Springville (#21) 8. Wasatch (#25) 9. Provo (#29) 10. Spanish Fork (#30) 11. Westlake (#34) 13. Cedar Valley (#35) 14. Pleasant Grove (#40) 13. Maple Mountain (#44) 14. Salem Hills (#45) 15. Timpanogos (#48) 17. Payson (#76) 18. Mountain View (#81) 19. ALA (#98).

Notes: As per tradition, Lone Peak, last year’s top team in the Preece Power Poll at season’s end, will start this upcoming season at the top of the poll. The Knights did lose some key starters but this program never rebuilds, it just reloads with a school population littered with stellar athletes.

Still, the Knights will have mighty challengers with most coming right from their own region. Corner Canyon wants to get back on top after being knocked off by the Knights in the 2021 6A state championship game.

Many tout Skyridge, with 3-year starter McCae Hillstead as the signal caller, as the team to beat. But don’t sleep on other 6A powerhouses like Region 4’s American Fork, Bingham or Riverton from Region 3, or perhaps Farmington and Weber from Region 1. Still, it seems like a good chance that the 6A state title will stay in the trophy case of a Region 4 school.

Two other county Region 4 schools also hope to make an impact. Westlake has taken advantage of the expanded playoff format winning its first round games the past two seasons. Pleasant Grove, which suffered through a tough 2021 campaign, hopes to return to the upper tier of 6A programs.

As for the Power Poll, perhaps Lehi, starting at No. 3, could be the first 5A team since 6A was created to lay claim to the top spot.

The Pioneers have two of the best talents on both sides of the ball with Jackson Brousseau returning at quarterback, while Isaac Terrell will terrorize defenses from his defensive end position. Last year Terrell posted a mind-boggling 23.5 sacks, the most I can ever remember for a larger-school defensive player. Terrell won a state wrestling championship last year and brings that aggressive mindset to the gridiron. He is also a smart player as witnessed by him sniffing out a screen pass in the quarterfinals against Timpview, and his pick six was a critical turning point in the upset of the Thunderbirds.

Timpview might be the top challenger to the Pioneers as could Orem. Region 8 is the top region in 5A football. Both schools have great tradition and a bevy of quality athletes on both sides of the ball.

Region 9 is a competitive mix of teams and it seems like any team could win the region title. Spanish Fork and Springville tied for the title last year with the Dons winning the head-to-head meeting. The Red Devils did put together that magical playoff run but the school that almost derailed Lehi was actually Wasatch, losing to the Pioneers in the second round of the playoffs in overtime.

By the way, Springville will have a new coach as defensive coordinator Dave Valeti was promoted to lead the program. But much of the veteran staff remains so expect a seamless transition for the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, Provo beat Spanish Fork last year, but were “upset” in the second round of the playoffs by lower-seeded Orem, while the Dons were downed by grossly underseeded East in the same round. Maple Mountain and Salem Hills had off years but have had success in the past and their schools are blessed with plenty of quality athletes.

Four Utah County programs compete in Region 7. Stansbury is the favorite to win the league title again but fourth-year school Cedar Valley hopes to push the Stallions. Arnold Ale will be the fourth head coach in four years for Payson, while Abe Poduska is in his second year at Mountain View, which suffered through a miserable 2021 season but hopes to rebound.

The feel-good story of Utah County last year was the success of the Timpanogos Timberwolf program. With former Mountain View coach Tyler Anderson joining the staff as offensive coordinator, the Timberwolves put together a winning season and a quarterfinal appearance in the 5A playoffs. The school also won just its second playoff game in school history.

As for ALA, a great run in the 3A baseball playoffs this past spring might set the example for the football program to follow. The school hasn’t made many waves on the gridiron, but with a new coach in Kyle Purvis, could this be the year?

Utah County will have three coaches making their debut with several others in their second or third years. Maple Mountain’s Brad Burtenshaw is now the longest tenured coach in Utah Valley beginning his 15th season as the head coach of the Golden Eagle program. He is also the only head coach in that school’s history.

Aaron Behm is in his 12th year at American Fork while Lehi’s Ed Larson has been the head coach at Provo, Timpanogos and now Lehi in his long distinguished career.

The big news statewide is that 8-player football has been added by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA). This means several schools will play football that never have done so including Water Canyon in Hilldale and the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind (USDB). Instead of generally just playing other Native American schools in the four-corners area, Monument Valley and Whitehorse will play more Utah schools this season, and Altamont, who dropped their program a few years back, will bring back its program

According to my source at the UHSAA, there will be a 8-team state tournament format. Altamont, Monticello, Monument Valley, Rich, USBD, Water Canyon, Whitehorse are seven schools that will automatically be in the tournament, and they will be joined by another 1A school that has the lowest RPI rating and plays at least three games in the 8-player format.

This means a record 112 schools in Utah will play football and the UHSAA is hopeful that more 1A schools will introduce or reintroduce football programs. It is reported that schools like Diamond Ranch, Tabiona and Wayne, and perhaps others, might add football programs next school year. This will also impact 1A baseball that has split its season to both fall and winter with programs not having football competing in the fall. But 8-player football could expand the size of the 1A spring tournament.

Lastly, this means that only Cottonwood remains independent and will be ineligible for any kind of UHSAA playoff. But it wasn’t just a few years ago where Utah County programs Payson and Timpanogos were independent. I see this as a positive trend and hopefully the Colt program will strengthen enough for their administrators and coaches to want to rejoin a 5A region.

Newsletter