High school football: Colts look like team to beat in Region 2

Moving up to 5A became a cause for alarm for several of the new Region 2 schools during the latest round of realignments.

Critics from the communities where these schools are located believed the Utah High School Activities Association failed to take into consideration any factors beyond raw student body numbers. But their protests did not result in any changes to the region as it was constituted.

Longtime 4A schools West, Murray and Cyprus joined 5A for the first time, while Granger and Cottonwood made a return to the classification they left just a few years ago.

While most of these schools would have preferred to stay in 4A, they are determined to make the best of the situation.

"Our region is pretty much the same," Cyprus coach Brian Jacketta said. "We can compete in our region like we competed in past years. I expect us to compete for a playoff berth."

Indeed, the remodeled Region 2 looks quite similar to the old Region 6 from a year ago. Skyline and Hunter are essentially the newcomers from the perspective of the other five teams. Moving en masse has imbued them with confidence that they can get the job done in 5A.

"In moving the teams — basically the whole region — up to 5A, I don't think it changes things a whole bunch," Granger coach Doyle Holt said. "Those teams are very competitive in 4A, so I assume that they would be in 5A."

One thing that isn't expected to change is Cottonwood's mastery of its region opponents.

The Colts reached the 4A championship game a year ago before falling short against Timpview. Now back in 5A, Cottonwood is gunning to complete what it started a year ago. Getting back to a state title game might be a tad more complicated for the Colts in 5A — with two-time defending 5A champ Alta, Bingham, and Pleasant Grove all looking like strong state title contenders as well.

Still, Cottonwood likes its chances. Offensively, Cottonwood will have a deep and talented group of receivers ready to make things happen — starting with senior Jason Lundquist, who caught 48 passes for 917 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago. On defense, the Colts return eight starters from a unit that allowed just 15.4 points per game last season.

It is the defense that is breeding the most confidence for Cottonwood. The Colts possess more speed on that side of the ball than a year ago and that alone should make moving up to 5A a smoother transition.