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Deseret News
High school football: West Jordan projected to finish atop Region 4
By Tommy Bailey,
2024-08-09
The West Jordan Jaguars storm the field before they play the Bingham Miners in West Jordan on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The Miners won 48-0. | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
After finishing third in Region 4 last year and getting knocked out in the second round of the 5A playoffs, West Jordan will be looking to take a big step forward this year.
With a number of returning starting players on both sides of the ball — eight on offense and eight on defense — West Jordan is expected to improve and finish at the top of the region this season.
Jaguars head coach Ron Halbert knows that with so many programs on the rise they could face a challenging schedule but feels it is a challenge his team is up for.
“We are looking forward to growing as a program and building something special this year. We will improve this season, we will improve a little bit every week. We have a ton of support and can’t wait to go out and give the community something to be excited about and something to be proud of,” said Halbert.
After going undefeated and finishing at the top of the region last year, the Granger football program will be in somewhat of a transition phase.
First year head coach Pete Smolin is taking over a program that finished with an overall record of 7-4 last year and is confident that his team will have a target on it as the team to beat.
“Many see us in a rebuilding year. Well yes every team rebuilds from the previous, so are we but our standards and expectations have risen not fallen. We have many returning starters who are now bigger, faster and stronger and young guys coming up who have put in the work and look really good. We also have some key transfers that we have a positive outlook on. In my 30 plus years of coaching, I have never had a team so respectful and hardworking. They get after it in the weight room,” said Smolin.
Hunter comes in at No. 3 in the preseason rankings and after finishing fourth in region with an overall record of 5-5 last year, is looking to take a big step forward and are looking to build on the positives from last season.
After losing a heartbreaker in the first round of last year’s playoffs to Bonneville, Hunter head coach Harold Moleni feels that with the number of coaching changes and player turnover in the offseason, he knows the opportunity is there for his team.
“We have a positive outlook on last season. We progressed in many aspects of our program and we were able to develop our players to reach new heights as individuals and as a team,” said Moleni.
Kearns takes the fourth spot in preseason projections. After finishing runner-up to Granger and going 4-1 in region last season, first year head coach John Rowbatham is taking over a Kearns team that will be looking to not only replicate, but also improve upon their solid play from last year.
“With a new coaching staff there is always change. The change happening within the Kearns High School program is one of accountability, teamwork and pure enjoyment of football. A young hungry group of Cougars is led by a talented and extremely determined senior class,” said Robatham.
Checking in at No. 5 is Taylorsville. After falling short of their goals and expectations last year, Taylorsville is looking to rebound and improve upon their results from last season.
“The Warriors are building their new foundation from the ground up and look forward to the 2024 season,” said Taylorsville head coach Chris Rosales.
Taylorsville has 17 total starters returning from last year, so Rosales is hoping the players have learned from past experiences and take a step forward this year.
After seeing themselves get just one win last year, the Cyprus Pirates will see plenty of change in hopes of getting out of the cellar of the region.
With this being the last season that Cyprus will play at Pirates Field, Cyprus head coach Jake Hardcastle is hoping his team can create some lasting memories in the last season playing on that field.
“Cyprus High School football will look different this year. Some new starters and a new culture will boost Cyprus football and lead us to being a competitive football team. This is the last year of Cyprus football in the historical stadium and we look to honor the past by being competitive now and look forward to our future with new facilities moving forward,” said Hardcastle.
Heading into his fourth season as head coach after posting an 20-13 record the first three seasons. He’s a long-time assistant coach at several schools in Utah, including six years at West Jordan from 1989 to 1995. He’s a graduate of Roy High School and Southern Utah.
Coach Ron Halbert’s general outlook
We are excited about our group of players. They have been working hard this summer. We will have a lot of experience returning. We have a lot of real good athletes that have good speed and quickness. Our line has some very good players returning but our depth in not very deep.
With 30 years of coaching experience at the high school and college level, Pete Smolin is taking over as Granger head coach. He’s a graduate of West Chester High in Pennsylvania and then Point Loma Nazarene University in California.
Coach Pete Smolin’s general outlook
Taking over a program with an outstanding year the previous season, many see us in a rebuilding year. Well yes, every team rebuilds from the previous, so are we but our standards and expectations have risen not fallen. With many returning starters who are now bigger fast and stronger, young guys coming up who have put in the work and look really good along with some key transfers we have a positive outlook. Our strength is in our lineman. In my 30 plus years of coaching I have never had a team so respectful and hardworking. They get after it in the weight room.
Entering his first season as Kearns after spending the previous two at Skyline, where his teams posted a 10-12 record. He’s a graduate of Skyline High and Pacific Lutheran University in Washington.
Coach John Rowbotham’s general outlook
With a new coaching staff there is always change. The change happening within the Kearns High School program is one of accountability, teamwork and pure enjoyment of football. A young hungry group of Cougars is led by a talented and extremely determined senior class. The K-Town Cougars are ready to hunt in 2024.
He’s entering his fourth season as head coach at Taylorsville, where his teams own a 3-27 record over that span. He’s a graduate of Hillcrest High School and Eagle Gate College.
Coach Chris Rosales’s general outlook
Taylorsville is looking to regroup from falling short from last seasons goals and expectations. The Warriors are building their new foundation from the ground up and look forward to the 2024 season.
Taking over as head coach at Cyprus after spending the past two seasons as the head coach at Providence Hall with a 12-11 record. He’s a graduate of Wasatch High and Dixie State.
Coach Jake Hardcastle’s general outlook
Cyprus high school football will look different this year. Some new starters and a new culture will boost Cyprus football and lead us to being a competitive football team. This is the last year of Cyprus football in the historical stadium and we look to honor the past by being competitive now and look forward to our future with new facilities moving forward.
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