The Deseret News takes the time to encourage every high school football coach to predict who are the teams to beat. As often is the case, a very high majority of the coaches safely select those schools who finished strong in the 2008 campaign. In looking at their preseason list for 2009, this year is no exception, and for good reason. The powerful, established teams keep getting better while the bottom-feeders in the state struggle to stay afloat.

In the 5A ranks, Alta holds the top spot, while Bingham is ranked #2. It could easily be reversed and not many people would have a problem with that. Both programs regularly either win or are in the finals for the state title, with Alta winning the title the past two seasons and Bingham winning in 2006. What is interesting though is Pleasant Grove with a #3 ranking. The Vikings are coming off an impressive season last year with QB Dallas Lloyd at the helm. Lloyd threw for over 1,600 yards as PG reeled off 10 straight wins in ‘08. Lloyd has verbally committed to play for Stanford.

Davis holds the #4 spot in the poll. The Darts could contend for an even higher standing at years end with a powerful 1-2 punch with Kellen Fowler at quarterback and all-state RB Tanner Hinds back in the mix. Look for the Darts to win Region 1and pending on their position in the seedings, have a good shot to knock off one of the top three teams.

No surprise in the 4A ranks with TImpview at the top perch. Winners of three straight titles, four of the last five years and 36-0 allows you to enjoy this ranking, where they will likely cruise again for multiple reasons. First and foremost, they are loaded. They enjoy more D-1 talent than any team in the state, with multiple players with verbal comittments. Second and not to be overlooked, this year begins the new classifications amongst schools. Some 4A schools became 5A, some 3A became 4A. This watered down 4A group will make things even easier, if that was necessary for the T-Birds to hoist the trophy again in November.

3A teams enjoyed a great run in 2008. Juan Diego and Hurricane played in the championship game with the Soaring Eagle nipping the Tigers. Those two teams once again are ranked #1 and #2. Both teams lost key players from last years teams with totalled just one loss combined. TUP believes the 3A division is much more wide open than in previous years. Morgan, Bear River, Cedar, Judge and Desert Hills could be a factor in the playoff picture.

Stay tuned for multiple team breakdown next week, only on TUP