High school football: Sky View Bobcats 2009 preview

SMITHFIELD — With two region championships and a 35-12 overall record in the last four years, the Sky View Bobcats have made tremendous strides as a football program.

Sky View, however, is far from satisfied and hopes to continue progressing in 2009.

"I think the kids and Sky View have done a good thing," said coach Craig Anhder. "We've taken a good step in the right direction. You got to go further. We've only taken a good step in the process."

While the Bobcats aren't returning much experience this season, they still have high hopes because their new starters fared well in sophomore and junior varsity ball. They also return a standout at their most important position — quarterback Kyler Carlsen — and figure to be in the mix in the Region 5 race.

"Every year, you wonder if you're going to be good or not, but we've worked harder than I've ever seen a team work this year," Carlsen said. "If you have team unity and work hard, anything can happen in high school football."

Those things are important, but it's also nice to have a triggerman like Carlsen back for his senior season.

Carlsen has been in the starting lineup since helping lead Sky View to its first semifinal appearance in 20 years in 2007. He has some new receivers and running backs to work with this season, but he is poised to have a big year. Carlsen passed for 1,937 yards and 23 touchdowns while missing two games with injuries last season. He threw for 2,277 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore.

"He's awesome," said Sky View center Jeff Parry. "I'd say he's probably the hardest worker of all of us. He talks to all the guys. He's an all-around good guy."

Anhder said Carlsen's greatest asset is his intelligence. He has a 3.8 grade-point average and a high football IQ.

"I think he's one of the best football players in the state; I really believe that," Anhder said. "He's got a lot of work to continue to do, but he's very smart. And he's got that experience behind him. I think that's going to help us."