High school football: Layton Lancers looking for a stronger showing this season

Note: Layton finished with a 4-6 overall record in 2009 and a 3-5 mark in Region 1. It did not qualify for the 5A playoffs.

LAYTON — Preparing for the 2010 high school football season started a lot sooner for the Layton Lancers than anyone else in the state.

In their 2009 regular-season finale, the Lancers hosted Syracuse in what was a meaningless game for Layton. The Lancers had been eliminated from playoff contention, while the Titans were playing for a share of the Region 1 championship. Layton was playing for pride.

Pride won out, 7-3, and the victory gave Layton motivation and confidence during the team's offseason preparation for 2010.

"I think it started everything for this year," offensive lineman Jesse Flores said of his team's upset win over Syracuse. "It showed we're still going to come back. We're not going to just die."

No, the Lancers are alive and well, and they expect to be much improved from last season. After winning the Region 1 championship for two straight seasons, the Lancers had a down year in 2010, as they finished below .500 and in a tie for sixth place.

Three areas plagued Layton last season, according to coach Jim Batchelor. The Lancers didn't play physically enough on defense, their passing game wasn't consistent enough to make defenses play them honestly, and their special teams put the rest of the team in too many difficult situations.

Layton should be stronger in all three phases, and that's reason to believe the team will be much improved this season.

Batchelor was pleased with how physically his defense played in summer camp.

"I think we're there," he said. "We've got some kids that will fly around and hit you."

Layton's passing game will be better because quarterback and state champion wrestler Derek Thomas is back to lead the Lancers. Thomas experienced some growing pains as a starter last year, which was expected because he didn't start playing quarterback until late in his sophomore year.

But Thomas has come a long way in the short time he's played quarterback. He's improving in making the right reads, getting rid of the ball and delivering it with accuracy.

"He makes things happen with his feet," Batchelor said of Thomas. "He's got great arm strength. He can throw the ball a ton. He's come a long way."