2025 record: 2-8 overall, 1-7 in 5A Region 7 (7th-tie)

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Players to Watch: Porter Carson Sr. RB/DB, Peter Jordan Jr. DE, Cade Muir Sr. OL/DL, Cael Cottle Jr. OL/DL, Valentin Sanchez Sr. WR/DB, Justice Taylor Sr. QB.

Outlook: Three seasons removed from its first quarterfinal appearance in 50 years, the Lions have struggled since. The 2025 season was especially rough when the Lions were moved up to 5A and placed in Region 7 with gridiron juggernauts like Orem, Springville and Timpview.

Cole takes over for Brian Wall, who was the head coach for three seasons. Before that, the Lions program had seen four different head coaches in four seasons. However, one consistency during all that head coaching turnover was that Cole was on those staffs and he actually teaches at the high school.

“We’re not focusing on the wins so much but doing things the right way and they have responded very well for us,” Cole said of his players.

To reach that end of building a successful team culture, Cole has instituted the Character Academy. Cole and his other assistants sit down with the players in a classroom atmosphere and discuss principles like discipline, accountability, being a team player and conditioning, which Cole broke down into the categories of mental, physical and moral.

“The kids have responded well (to the program),” said Cole.

Cole is cognizant of the challenges to make the Payson program competitive.

“I have a lot of parents where their concerns are safety. I also have those same concerns,” admitted Cole. “I have voiced my concerns to my higher-ups and the decision still got made to put us in 5A.”

But Cole is still optimistic that his program can make the strides to be competitive.

“We’ve had a big focus on the weight room once I got hired,” said Cole. “I’m seeing the transformation, it’s just not going to happen overnight. We’re trying to move the needle in the weight room, we’re trying to move the needle in things outside the field that we haven’t done such a good job with to get us better here (on the field).”

What is your favorite team-building activity? Besides the Character Academy, Cole said his players take part in other activities like service projects. And on Saturday August 8, some of the Payson players will participate in the Orchard Days Parade in Santaquin and down the road in the Onion Days Parade. These events are big in the Payson community.