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Deseret News
High school football: West aims to repeat as champs in highly-competitive Region 6
By James Edward,
2 days ago
East and West compete in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
When the expectations ramped up in the playoffs last season, West’s football team didn’t exactly rise to the occasion. After beating Alta by 26 points in region play, in the 5A second round playoff rematch West lost in quadruple overtime.
It was a brutal end to the season after a perfect 6-0 region season, especially watching two other Region 6 teams advance to the semis.
Expectations are just as high for West High heading into the 2024 season as it was projected to finish first by the rest of the Region 6 coaches.
“I think they all know the expectation right now. We’re going into the fifth year of this growth process and there are some expectations to do well and I think they understand that,” said West coach Olosaa Solovi. “You can take it as pressure or you can embrace it, and we’re hoping they’re embracing that pressure and embracing the process and really getting them focused on us and us being disciplined and taking each rep in practice to try and get better.”
In reflecting on that playoff loss, Solovi said his team didn’t execute the critical details when it needed.
Alta, meanwhile, won its ensuing quarterfinal game to advance to the 5A semifinals despite finishing region play with a 3-3 record. Their postseason success in many ways epitomized the competitiveness within Region 6 last season, something many believe will unfold again.
West went 6-0 a year ago in Region 6 but narrowly beat Brighton and Olympus, who finished tied for second with 4-2 records. Alta and East tied for fourth with 3-3 records and were competitive in nearly every game with teams at the top of the region.
“Our region is very talented and will produce some great matchups. The natural rivalries promote familiarity and excitement each week. We hope to be near the top when the playoffs arrive,” said Olympus coach Brandon Burt, whose team also advanced to the 5A semifinals a year ago.
West and Olympus are the teams with the most returning experience, so it’s no surprise the coaches in the region pegged them as No. 1 and No. 2 in region.
West returns seven offensive starters and six defensively. Solovi said he feels great about his offense heading into the season, and defensively believes if the newcomers in the box rise to the occasion, his team can be really good.
West will get tested early. It travels to Colquitt County, Georgia, for its season opener on Aug. 16. The Packers went 12-1 last season and will again be one of the top teams in Georgia. In Week 2, West faces Clovis East, California, and then American Fork in Week 3.
Solovi believes that difficult schedule will prepare his team for the Region 6 grind at the top.
Region 6 high school football projections
Olympus returns six offensive starters and seven defensive starters from a team that went 8-4 last year, and narrowly lost to eventual state champ Timpview in the semifinals 22-20.
“Overall, we are excited about this group. We have team speed, toughness, some decent size and the willingness to prepare. We play in a great region full of talented rivals and are looking forward to the season,” said Burt.
West and Olympus will both have new starting QBs in 2024, as will projected No. 3 team Brighton. Whichever team finds the most stability at that key position by the time region play rolls around could be the team that ultimately claims the region title.
East will be looking for a bounce-back season after a a disappointing 5-6 record a year ago.
Alta was projected to finish fifth as new coach Blake Burdette inherits a young team after the departure of Alema Te’o as head coach.
“We are excited to start a new era of Alta Football. We won’t have the numbers that the team has had in the past, but are excited about the boys that we have. The team has been working hard to accomplish all the goals that have been set out,” said Burdette.
Highland and Skyline are projected to finish at the bottom of Region 6.
Kautai Olevao is heading into his fourth season as head coach, and he’s hoping that with half his starters back from a year ago his team can find a way to be more competitive in 2024.
Skyline is coming off a 0-10 season, but new coach Marcus Mailei is hoping he can point the program in the right direction, but he knows it won’t be easy.
“We’re in the toughest region in state. Olympus has great coaches, Brighton has both great athletes and coaches. West has a great leader and is building an awesome culture. Highland has been competitive for the last two seasons, and East High always brings that smash mouth football,” said Mailei.
The long-time assistant coach took over as head coach only one month before the start of last season and led the program to an 8-4 record. He’s a graduate of Highland High and Weber State.
Coach Brandon Burt’s general outlook
“The 2024-25 Olympus Titans are ready for another exciting season. The desire to win is high and the desire to prepare to win is equally high. This team likes to practice.
“We return some very good players that have gained varsity experience and have played in big games.
“Offensively, we return three linemen and two receivers. We have talent across the board that can earn positions. We have good team speed and will be versatile. Mark Smith will be the QB coach and the OC and does a great job! Line coaches Adam Hornung and Ryan Reynolds will put people in positions to excel. They have knowledge, work ethic and love the players. Receiver coach Spencer Young has talent to work with and is talented himself. He puts the team first. Running back coaches Russ Smith and Brian Jacketta provide valuable experience and leadership to the group. These men are terrific coaches and even better mentors to the players. Kicking coach Gil Cordova has All Stater-Asher Gubler returning for his senior year.
“Defensively, we return seven starters. These Titans love to play defense and will be a physical group. Linebacker coaches Leroy Vea and Ryan Birdsley have been terrific. Secondary coaches John Smith and Casey Evans have great talent to work with and are tireless coaches. DL coaches Jason Anderson and Haloti Ngata are fine role models and will promote team play and good defense.
“Special teams will be a group effort led by Gil Cordova. Each coach will have a role in the Special teams at Olympus.
“Overall, we are excited about this group! We have team speed, toughness, some decent size and the willingness to prepare. We play in a great region full of talented rivals and are looking forward to the season.”
In two seasons as head coach at Brighton, his teams have posted a 17-6 record. He previously was the defensive coordinator at Corner Canyon. He’s a graduate of Murray High School and the University of Utah.
Coach Casey Sutera’s general outlook
“I am really excited for the 2024 season. I feel like the work ethic of our team is really strong and we have a lot of players that could contribute on the field. Our returning leaders have done a great job pushing our team culture and by being good examples to the rest of our team.”
Entering his 15th season as head coach at East, where he’s tallied a 122-54 record and two state titles (2015, 2016). Previously, he coached at Park City for five seasons from 2005 to 2009, with a 39-18 record and semifinal appearances in 2008 and 2009. His career record is 161-72. He’s a graduate of Brighton High School and the University of Utah.
Entering his first year as head coach at Alta. He’s a graduate of Olympus High School and the University of Utah.
Coach Blake Burdette’s general outlook
“We are excited to start a new era of Alta Football. We won’t have the numbers that the team has had in the past, but are excited about the boys that we have. The team has been working hard to accomplish all the goals that have been set out. We are young, but have great leadership amongst the team. The team is picking up the the new schemes quickly and are ready to compete at a high level.”
Olevao is entering his fourth season as head coach at Highland, with 7-23 in those previous three years. He’d previously served as an assistant for six years. He’s a graduate of Kahuku High School in Hawaii and the University of Utah.
Coach Kautai Olevao’s general outlook
“We have a team mixed of young inexperienced players along with returning players from last year’s team. We have skill players that are eager to make plays and linemen determined to make their presence known.”
An assistant at Skyline for the past three seasons, he’s taking over as head coach this season. He’s a graduate of Highland and Weber State. He played two years in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in 2010.
Coach Marcus Mailei’s general outlook
“Skyline Football’s 2023 season was undoubtedly a challenging one for the Eagles, marked by several difficult matches and multiple blowout losses, including many scoreless games. Despite these setbacks, the team demonstrated resilience and determination, learning valuable lessons from each game. These experiences have only strengthened their resolve to come back stronger in the upcoming season, with renewed focus and commitment to improving their performance on the field.”
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