NEPHI, Utah-

1:45 pm

The North Sanpete Hawks then addressed the media to conclude the media day. They were represented by head coach Rhett Bird, tight end/defensive end Jaxton Langschwager, defensive specialist Callan Beck, safety/fullback Payton Clawson and middle linebacker/tailback Connor Jorgensen.

Clawson said he believes the North Sanpete community “has our backs” this season. Bird says he’s proud of the community for supporting the “Hawk Card” which enables the program to get new uniforms and other essential communities.

He also lauds his Hawks’ squad for being good role models to the community.

Bird also mentioned the Hawks’ new quarterback, Landon Bowles, and says he is an excellent throwing quarterback. Clawson expressed his sentiments that he looks forward to playing with him.

 

1:27 pm

The Delta Rabbits then addressed the media. They were represented by lineman Brett Bundy, receiver Cade Smith, lineman Kurtus Nielson and tailback/linebacker Jake Jackson as well as head coach Russ Fowles.

Fowles said his choices for media day are all good at leading by example.

Jackson said he wants to be more vocal as he leads and he wants to help the Rabbits get back to their great tradition which features nine state championships in school history.

Fowles spoke of the “6 or 7” sophomores that played extensive varsity football last season and expects his squad to take the next step.

Fowles, when asked about the RPI, said the Rabbits want to place themselves in a position late in the season where it can be favorable to them.

Nielson confirmed he wants to see the line dominate in the trenches, making the Rabbits’ trademark triple-option offense more effective in so doing.

Fowles says the Rabbits traditionally start slowly, but he wants to see steady improvement. He confirmed his squad can always control how hard they hit and how hard they play.

Fowles confirmed that he thinks Region 14 has a lot of parity in it and anything can happen as the season progresses.

Jackson said he thinks the Rabbits are really selfless and this should serve them well.

Fowles said his team may find themselves in a position they’re not accustomed to but they have to react appopriately.

Bird also lauded his team for excelling at a Powerlifting meet this past February at Weber State University, besting several 5-A and 6-A schools. He also wants to have his squad let the younger players know that slacking off isn’t appropriate.

1:06 pm

Union then addressed the media. They were represented by head coach Matt Labrum, tailback/linebacker Chipper Harding, center/linebacker Zach Foote, receiver/defensive backe Ryne Russell, receiver/defensive back Imgeb Alatabi, lineman Raef Swain and quarterback/linebacker Lincoln Labrum.

Russell, who is named after Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, said he wants to be the Cougars’ most physical receiver.

Matt Labrum said he likes Union’s schedule because it consists of fellow rural schools and the competitive balance seems to be on par with how the Cougars view themselves at this stage. He also said the Cougars’ participation in the weight room has really characterized how he sees his team getting stronger.

Matt Labrum also said that he doesn’t study the RPI, and he doesn’t look at it. He wants his Cougars to take it one game at a time, he continued.

Matt Labrum wants the Cougars to take better care of the ball than last season and Lincoln Labrum stressed the importance of “playing fast” as he wants to get snaps off in 15-second increments if at all possible.

Matt Labrum also stressed that he loves this team because they love each other and Alatabi said he can see this team “growing together as one.”

12:45 pm

Manti was then represented by head coach Cole Meacham, Ryker Hewko, Keenan Moulton, Travis Thomson, Tyler Taukeiaho and Tyson Brenchley.

Meacham stated that “we want to win every game,” but if not, “we want to go out and compete.”

Moulton stated the importance to the Templars’ success of avoiding the injury bug as Manti was particularly injury-ravaged last season.

The Templars’ schedule is highlighted by the August 16 opener against the Crimson Cliffs Mustangs, the first game in Mustangs history and the September 13 game against the Richfield Wildcats for homecoming. This game features the 1999 championship team being honored at halftime, the first Templars’ squad to ever win a state championship.

12:26 pm

American Leadership Academy then had their media day segment. They were represented by head coach Nate Porter, receiver/defensive back/kick return specialist Fielding Morley, defensive tackle Jarius Searle, quarterback/safety Jacob Negus, linebacker Logan Payne and tackle/defensive end Sam Huff.

Porter confirms that he wants his returning first-team all-stater, Morley, to amass 3,000 all-purpose yards this season.

Negus said he wants to spread the ball around a little more this season and not focus on one target primarily. Morley said he wants to have the “long ball” become a more focal point this season, a sentiment that Negus agreed with.

When asked about the jump from 2-A to 3-A for the Eagles, Porter said he looks forward to playing Manti and Juab in region again as several years ago, they were in a region with the Templars and Wasps

12:10 pm

Juab commenced the proceedings, featuring head coach Mike Bowring and Wasps student-athletes offensive tackle Blake Mangelson, slot-back/free safety, Cade Bowring, slot-back/ safety Dallan West and interior lineman Bladen Fowkes.

Mike Bowring confirmed that all four of these stalwarts are returning starters from last season. They are also Juab’s team captains this season.

It was confirmed that Juab was picked to finish first in Region 14 based on a vote conducted by the coaches in this region prior to the media day broadcast.

Cade Bowring said he really likes Juab’s team speed this season, suggesting the Wasps can expose their opponents for mismatches in space this season.

Mangelson and Cade Bowring confirmed they are looking forward to the Hurricane game, which starts the season, with Cade Bowring and Fowkes also looking forward to the rivalry game against North Sanpete.

Mike Bowring said “all the games are circled” this season, but more specifically Hurricane at this stage.

Wednesday, Painter Motor of Nephi hosted the Region 14 media day, consisting of American Leadership Academy, Delta, Juab, Manti, North Sanpete and Union High Schools.

The proceedings were hosted by moderator Robert Lovell of the Mid-Utah Radio Sports Network and he asked coaches and key student-athletes from these respective schools, questions about how their prospects for the upcoming season, which commences with a full slate of games across the state of Utah August 16.