High school football: Clearfield Falcons 2012 preview

(2 returning starters; Pro-set offense)

Clearfield is making the transition from a spread offense to a more convention pro-set scheme. Hawes described it as, “Nothing fancy — just old-fashioned football.”

Jayden Garcia, who primarily stared as the starting safety as a junior, is expected to see the majority of the carries in the backfield.

Elijah Toa, a versatile 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver that has the ability to play one-hand-down or on the hashes, will be the main target for quarterback Jordan Newby.

Esaia Soifua, a surprisingly nimble 315-pound fullback, should open large lanes in heavy sets near the pylons.

Defense

(3 returning starters; 4-3 defense)

In 2011 the Falcons ran a 3-3-5, but they’ll return to a more traditional style with four down linemen and three 'backers.

The depth is paper thin, but Lucas Cavazotti impressed coaches during summer camps at safety. His bash-brother in the secondary is junior Kelly Thorpe, a converted linebacker who's earned the reputation as a punishing hitter.

Coaches preseason Region 6 straw poll: Fifth

Deseret News Region 6 prediction: Fifth

Bottom line: Clearfield is on the right path to wins. However, winning doesn’t come easily and it could take a couple of seasons before results start to show. The Falcons open up with winnable games against Roy, Box Elder, Ogden and Bonneville, but once region play starts it’ll be much of the same as it's been recently for the Falcons.

2012 Schedule

Aug. 17 — at Roy, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 — at Box Elder, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 — OGDEN, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 — BONNEVILLE, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 — HIGHLAND, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 — at East, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 — at Bountiful, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 — WOODS CROSS, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 — at Cyprus, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 — HERRIMAN, 7 p.m.

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Felts Facts for Clearfield High School

All-time record: 234-276-4 (51 years)

Region championships: 8 (1975 co, 1976, 1984 co, 1992 co, 1994, 1996 co, 1998 co, 2002 co)

Playoff appearances: 25

All-time playoff record: 15-24

State championships: 1 (1992)

State championship record: 1-0

Most played rivalry: 49 meetings with Davis dating back to 1961. Davis leads 26-22-1. Last met in 2010.

Felt’s Factoid(s): No one has played more overtimes than Clearfield, 23, including five against Layton and three against Weber. ... The Falcons hold the state record (tied with Grantsville) for season interceptions with 33, set in 2002.

Clearfield coaching history

2012-Current — Will Hawes

2009-2011 — Jeff Bingham (8-22)

2006-2008 — Billy Plium (10-22)

1991-2005 — Randy Johnson (100-64)

1988-1990 — Brent Lund (12-18)

1977-1987 — Brent Hancock (49-61)

1969-1976 — Jack Hannum(37-40)

1965-1968 — Don Jenson (7-30)

1961-1964 — Boyd "Tiny" Grant (10-21)

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Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years

2003 — Terrence Stanton, LB

To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.

High school football: Clearfield Falcons 2012 preview

Email: tphibbs@desnews.com