BEAVER, Utah-

1:38 pm

Kanab concluded the media day presentation. They were represented by head coach Bucky Orton and student-athletes lineman Jace Reidhead, lineman Cade Szymanksi, tailback, receiver/safety Trey Chatterly and wing/safety Kyle Blomquist.

Orton said he expects his squad to lead by example and wear the “Kanab Cowboy jersey” with pride.

Orton told Lovell in no uncertain terms, that he will not make any changes to the Cowboys’ offensive or defensive philosophies, but expects his squad to execute better than last season.

Szymanski said that the lineman and tailbacks have the same relationship with each other and one would do anything for the other, confirming their friendship is strong.

Orton told Lovell that he takes the blame for what went awry last season and that he needs to do a better job.

Orton says that he’s confident in his squad that when they say they care, he believes them and that staying together is paramount, saying “chemistry is the main ingredient in having a successful season.”

Orton also confirmed he wants to see the Cowboys epitomize positive energy and that when things go askew, they need to take a deep breath and make adjustments.

He also exhorts his team to have fun and “let it ride” as the Cowboys are playing with house money as the 7th overall pick in the 2-A South standings.

Orton confirmed to Lovell that, as a coach, he prefers  being in this position anyway. In his closing statements, Orton again reiterated that he wants to get rid of the bad taste in his mouth from last season.

Orton also said that “our program and our community” both have to “rise up” in regard to the Cowboys’ move up to the 2-A classification.

1:19 pm

The North Sevier Wolves then addressed the media. Representing the Wolves were head coach Devin Lindley and student-athletes, receiver/outside linebacker Burke Mickelsen, quarterback Taylor Crane, running back/utility defensive player/kick returner Gabe Wilcox and tackle/defensive tackle Bransyn Christiansen.

Obviously, Crane, who was injured for the majority of last season and is a rising star passer, hopes to stay healthy this season as he told this to Lovell with a smirk.

Lindley says he plans to still use the spread offense this season, but “with some tweaks.” Lindley wants to keep Crane healthy and he is really “anxious to get out there.” He wants the Wolves to stay balanced on offense.

Wilcox says he wants to see the offense go all out and Christiansen wants to see both the offensive and defensive lines come together and be strong.

Lindley says there are several new faces on the Wolves’ offensive line, calling them “young” and has made some changes in positions among linemen who played for the program last season.

To start the season, Lindley said he wants to see his team execute and score in the red zone while also enhancing their ability to convert on 3rd down. He confirms that “we are ready to go.”

Unanimously, the Wolves said they are looking forward to “the Sevier Rivarly,” (the game againt South Sevier) August 16 and Lindley placed special importance on the Wolves’ hopes of beating the Rams for the first time since he became North Sevier’s head coach.

Lindley also challenges his squad to get out of their respective “comfort zones,” and that he and his team needs to hold one another accountable.

1:02 pm

The Enterprise Wolves were next to address the media. They were represented by head coach Andy Messersmith and student-athletes, midde linebacker-fullback Ryan Moody, quarterback/safety Tyler Hiatt, tackle/defensive tackle Jackson Watkins, slot-back/outside linebacker Robby Clark and lineman Colton Burch.

Watkins said he wants to improve daily at practice and set a good example for future Wolves’ student-athletes who will represent the program.

Messersmith says the Wolves are not focused on the RPI, but rather on winning as many games as they can. Watkins believes the Wolves will be playing lots of close games this season.

Messersmith also says the Wolves need to control the ball offensively, and do “the things we’re supposed to be doing.” Defensively, he wants Enterprise to fly around.

Messersmith cites the importance of the Wolves not looking past Duchesne, as the Eagles are the Wolves’ first opponent of the season August 16.

Messersmith is also excited about having an offensive line that is actually “lineman-size.”

12:43 pm

The Beaver Beavers, the de facto home team, then addressed the media. Representing the Beavers were head coach Jon Marshall, quarterback/linebacker Ryker Albrecht, tight end/defensive end/punter McCoy Smith, tackle/defensive tackle Treyson Harris and tailback/linebacker Kaleb Barney. All four of these Beavers selected as media day representatives are returning starters from last season.

Marshall said he expects to see leadership from all of his media day representatives, saying “we want to improve” and that he expects his four selections to lead the way at practice.

Harris, the line lineman at the proceedings, says the Beavers need to run the ball better and he and his fellow offensive linemen need to ensure this is the case.

Marshall echoed Thane Marshall’s statements that the 2-A South region is a really strong region.

He also confirms that the Beavers “have a lot of improving to do.” He said the Beavers are further ahead of where they were at this point last season, but there’s still lots of work to do.

Harris said he’s excited to go against Canyon View, as the Falcons are a good measuring stick to see where the Beavers are at for the present moment.

Marshall said the Beavers’ focal point is to run the ball and conversely, to stop the run on defense. He did confirm that Albrecht needs to pass the ball effectively, but ultimately, he believes the Beavers’ success is contingent upon running the ball.

12:27 pm

The Milford Tigers then addressed the media. They were represented by head coach Thane Marshall, quarterback/free safety Bryson Barnes, slot/defensive end Zach Sherwood, defensive end/guard, Russell Walker and offensive tackle/defensive tackle Ike Keller.

Marshall says, in essence, the Tigers can run practice on their own, as each of his four players who showed up on media day, have taken the reins. Barnes says it’s essential for the Tigers to get better every week.

Marshall stated he was impressed with the Tigers’ dedication in improving this offseason, including diligent sessions in the weight room.

Marshall, when asked about South Summit, said he scheduled the Wildcats, a perennial power, to “challenge his kids.” He also ensures that this game predates the decision to implement the RPI system into the Utah High School Activities Association.

To ensure his kids are dialed in for South Summit, Marshall says that if anyone mentions another team at practice, the entire squad has to run gassers.

Marshall lauds the importance of the RPI as the 2-A South is a region, as he sees it, that can benefit from its installation. He says that even Kanab, ranked 7th in the region standings, can beat anyone any given week.

12:09 pm

The Millard Eagles started off the proceedings at media day. They were represened by head coach Ethan Stephenson, student-athletes, quarterback/safety Brooks Myers, slot back/linebacker Sam Marshall, tailback/linebacker Austin Burraston, slot-back/safety Shade Woodard and lineman Bryce Carson.

Stephenson is entering his fourth season at the helm of the Eagles’ program and told Lovell he is “super excited” about what his team can do this season. Myers said he wants to audible a fair amount of the time this season. He cited this being his “last year” to play high school football and he seeks to do the best he can.

Stephenson also said that he hopes the RPI will work itself out and calls the first two games of the season “big” as they are against 3-A schools Emery and Judge. The Eagles will also square off against bitter rival Delta August 30, another class 3-A school.

Burraston said he’s impressed at how the Eagles are “gelling together” as football players from all classes are coming together. This statement was substantiated by Stephenson, who said he is impressed at how his squad looks out for one another.

12:02 pm

The Beaver Beavers were voted by 2-A South coaches to win the region championship. Milford is slated to finish second. Millard was picked to finish third in the region, followed by Enterprise, North Sevier, Parowan and Kanab.

Thursday, the Mid-Utah Radio Sports Network football media days concluded with the 2-A South football media day hosted by Beaver High School at the school’s wrestling room.

Schools at this event included Beaver, Enterprise, Kanab, Milford, Millard and North Sevier High Schools. Parowan High School was invited to attend by event moderator Robert Lovell, as they are in this region as well, but the Rams were unable to make it.