High school football: Orem Tigers 2012 preview

“I think with having the kids that we do and with a year running our offense under our belt that we’ll be even more dynamic,” said Anderson. “We have a lot of good skill guys here, so it melds good with what we do offensively.”

The offensive line will be led by Ben Thomas, who was a big key for the overall offensive production a year ago.

Defense

(6 returning starters)

With a good amount of returning experience, Orem hopes to be more dominant defensively. After feeling out what his defense could do best last season, Anderson hopes to change things up a bit his second year.

“We’re going to present some different looks than we did last year,” said Anderson. “I really like the guys we have coming back in the defensive backfield and we have some good guys on the line. If we find some good linebackers, then we could be improved a lot on defense.”

Coaches preseason Region 4 straw poll: Second

Deseret News Region 4 prediction: Fifth

Bottom line

There is certainly a lot to be excited about this season at Orem. A new coach and a new attitude provided a lot of good football last year. What it didn’t provide for, however, was a strong finish strong finish. Orem lost its final three games and four of its final five.

Orem won’t be able to take teams by surprise with its wide-open offense this year, but should be better on the defensive end. It could contend for the region title, but could just as easily be shut out of the state playoffs if it can’t improve on finishing strong in what looks to be an improved region.

2012 Schedule

Fri. Aug. 17 -- Herriman 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 24 -- Pine View 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 31 -- at Lehi 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 7 -- at Provo 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 14 -- Salem Hills 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 21 -- at Springville 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 28 -- at Timpview 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 5 -- Mountain View 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Oct. 10 -- Maple Mountain 7:00 p.m.

Wed. Oct. 17 -- at Timpanogos 7:00 p.m.

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Felt’s Facts for Orem High School

All-time record: 469-269-21 (83 years)

Region championships: 24 (1935 co, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970 co, 1974, 1985 co, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996 co, 2000 co, 2004 co)

Playoff appearances: 48

All-time playoff record: 47-43

State championships: 5 (1962, 1968, 1994, ?, ?)

State championship record: 5-7

Most played rivalry: 57 meetings with Provo dating back to 1930. Orem leads 31-25-1. Meet on Sept. 7.

Felt’s Factoid(s): Tiger Jared Harper is the only Utah prep player with a 99-yard run in a state playoff game (1996 quarterfinal).

Orem coaching history

2011-current — Tyler Anderson (5-6)

2002-2010 — Bob Steele (48-52)

2000-2001 — Alex Jacobson (15-8)

1989-1999 — Paul Clark (74-39)

1985-1988 — Thomas Rabb (31-11)

1980-1984 — Steve Downey (27-22)

1977-1979 — (unknown) (21-11)

1971-1976 — Tom Molen (33-23-2)

1969-1970 — Charlie Dine (17-5-2)

1954-1968 — Udell Westover (105-31-5)

1949-1953 — Glenn Zimmerman (27-13-1)

1929-1948 — Don “Sanky” Dixon (56-48-11)

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Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years

2011 — Cole Payne, WR

2008 — Jordan Egbert, TE

2007 — Tucker Lamb, LB

2006 — Tom Steele, LB

2006 — Nate Killpack, K

2005 — Ryan Freeman, OL

2005 — Zeke Wily, DL

2004 — Ryan Freeman, OL

2003 — Mark Freeman, OL

2002 — Mark Freeman, OL

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