The Lakers were picked by the league's coaches to take fourth place in Region 5. That prognostication isn't much of an insult when you consider the team was picked to take last in the league in 2007. The fourth-place pick shows that Bonneville is earning respect and the Lakers hope to gain even more in 2008.

"We beat the second-ranked team (Highland) last year," Stofferahn said. "There's motivation to do better than that (this season)."

BONNEVILLE LAKERS 2008 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

COACH: Matt Williams is in his third year at Bonneville and has a 7-13 record. That mark is deceiving because he has won four of his last six games and seems to have the Lakers on the right track.

KEY PLAYERS: The Lakers return more players on offense than defense, and should be able to put up some points this season. Players to watch are Austen Richards (TE), Tyson Jenkins (FB), Devin Mickles (WR/DB), Justin Stofferahn (WR/DB), Tyler Anderson (WR/DB), Todd Aubrey (QB) and Manaia Filiage (QB, utility).

QUESTION MARKS: There are two major ones regarding the Lakers. The first is which player will be the starting quarterback out of Aubrey and Filiage. The other is how will the inexperienced players respond to playing under the lights. Williams believes in his players who haven't yet played varsity ball, but they'll find out that it's a much different game than sophomores and junior varsity.

LAST YEAR: 5-6, lost to Mountain Crest in the quarterfinals.

PREDICTED REGION 5 FINISH: Fourth

POSTSEASON POSSIBILITES: The Lakers seem like a good bet to qualify for the playoffs despite the fact that Region 5 is loaded and there are no gimmees in league play. Bonneville could finish in the top three as Williams hopes. It could also finish fourth or fifth, which would give the team a tough draw in the playoffs.

2008 SCHEDULE

Aug. 22 — LAYTON, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 — at Weber, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5 — at Clearfield, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 — at Bountiful, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 — MOUNTAIN CREST, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 — at Sky View, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 — at Roy, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 — WOODS CROSS, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 — BOX ELDER, 7 p.m.

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E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com