High school football: Provo Bulldogs 2009 preview

PROVO — When you ask fellow Region 7 coaches about a possible sleeper team, most point the finger at the Provo Bulldogs.

Some coaches feel the Bulldogs were one of the toughest teams to move the ball against last season. Also, everyone knows Provo has most of its offensive and defensive stars back.

"We have a lot of kids who have played a lot of football for us who are back and excited to get going," second-year Provo coach Saia Pope said.

Ironically, the coaches only picked the Bulldogs to finish fifth in a league that gets four postseason spots, probably because of Provo's struggles in recent years. However, the Bulldogs don't mind the lack of respect because they figure until they earn it, they really don't deserve it. They might even catch some teams taking them lightly. Still, the Bulldogs themselves expect a lot this season and believe that by year's end they'll have the respect they're working hard to gain.

"Provo High is one of those schools that has struggled for the past few years and has a lot to prove. But we feel optimistic about the season because of our returning-starter experience and our hard work and dedication in the offseason," Pope said.

Leading the list of returners is quarterback Matt Griner, who showed last season that he makes good decisions and throws a good ball. Kyler Hamilton, with two years experience in Provo's backfield, is an elusive back that should be among the league's best ball carriers. The Bulldogs also have a host of receivers, including move-in Maka Unufe, who is as fast any wideout in the league.

Three other big stars for the Bulldogs are Josh Roberts (tight end and defensive end), Monte Naioupu (fullback, lineman and linebacker) and lineman Likio Pope, who will anchor both sides of Provo's trench corps.

"We're unproven and only won two games last year. So even though we have good players, we need to prove what we can do on the field," Pope said.

One area that might hurt the Bulldogs is their lack of depth up front, and their lack of size. However, Pope likes his team's athleticism and overall team speed.

"What we lack in size, we will make up in speed," he said.

The key to having more success this season, Pope said, is team chemistry and confidence. The Bulldogs need to win some games early, gain some momentum, and avoid injuries to their core players.