High school football: A new era begins for American Fork Cavemen

Note: The Cavemen went 4-6 last season and 1-5 in region play, missing the playoffs with a sixth-place finish in the region.

AMERICAN FORK — There is the saying that a change will do you good, and at American Fork, the players certainly feel that way.

Gone is long-time coach Davis Knight, and in his place is 28-year-old Aaron Behm calling the shots.

"Coach Behm is amazing," said lineman Ryker Mathews, a 6-foot-6, 280-pounder being recruited by all the in-state schools. "He has brought a new energy, a new intensity to our program that is great. You can tell he knows what he is doing and we are all excited to see what we can do with him as our coach."

"Coach Behm and coach (defensive coordinator Jon) Lehman have taught us so much already," said defensive back Trevor Hemsley. "It wasn't all that long ago that they were out on the field. They really know the game and do a good job in teaching us what we need to do to prepare and what we need to do to improve."

Anytime a coach has to follow someone that has been the face of a school for a couple of decades, expectations can be high. But Behm says he doesn't really feel the pressures of following in Knight's footsteps.

"Coach Knight was kind of a living legend here," said Behm. "I am not really trying to take over for him as much as I just want to come in here and bring our own style and try to coach these kids in the best way that I know how."

Behm played at Trinity College, an NAIA school just outside of Chicago, and he is bringing with him a new offense and defense that has his players excited.

"I love the big-play potential the offense brings," said wingback Nathan Cummings. "Pretty much every play we have a chance to gain 20 yards. All it takes is one miss and we can break one."

"The defense is great because we get to bring pressure from all over the place," said outside linebacker Bryce Bishop. "I get a chance to hit the quarterback, and I love to hit a quarterback."

Along with new schemes, Behm also brings with him a new coaching style.

"Things are much faster, much more up-tempo," said Trevor Hemsley. "I think coach has kind of breathed new life into us. He has so much enthusiasm and it just kind of rubs off on the rest of us. We all want to play our hearts out for each other and for him."