Can you smell it in the air? As exciting as the Olympics may be, you can smell that football season is quickly approaching. You can hear the grunts, the pads crashing, the helmets meeting, the whistles blowing. It is here!

Papers throughout the state are starting to make their predictions known and give us a little insight into each team. Below you can click to some of the teams that have already been posted in papers in the Beehive state.

Davis - The D-News predicts the Darts to take fourth in Region 1. A safe pick, considering this might be the best Region in the state with five teams able to qualify and advance to the playoffs. The Davis linemen are getting preseason praise as well as the Dart defensive secondary.  For the Deseret News article, click here

Bonneville - After a few seasons below the acceptable standards, the Lakers have reason to believe they have a good shot at sneaking up on a few teams and finding their way into the playoffs in 2008. They have a solid core of players back and after winning a playoff game against Highland, hopes are high for Coach Matt Williams crew. Click here for more information.

Hurricane - Everyone has hopes and high expectations to begin the year. No team comes in with any losses and everyone looks good in practice. But it is not unfair to say that this Tiger team has a legitimate shot to go deep into the playoffs in 3A. They will have a tough game with Cedar, but should win the Region 9 title and have a good shot at playoffs. They return starters at nearly every position and they are battle tested. For more information, click here

Layton - With two potential D1 running backs, a state runner-up reminder from 2007, the Lancers are the team to beat in Region 1 and could finally taste out of the victors cup in November. Thomas Bryson will be one of the top tight ends in the state. The 6′5″  230 lbs senior is another D1 recruit. Click here for more

Snow Canyon - Remember in Little League Baseball when your best player was always the pitcher and he was also the best hitter. He made the all-star team when you didn’t?  Well Snow Canyon is putting their best player at quarterback, despite him being the best running back, possibly in the state. Adam Timo will be under center, or more likely in a shot gun/spread formation so he can get the ball 100% of the time for the Warriors.  Perhaps SC just doesn’t have as many tools as they would like, so it this years TEAMO is spelled T-I-M-O. For more, click Snow Canyon

So when people start prognosticating the upcoming season, it is hard to know for sure how accurate it will be. So most coaches and sports writers look at the past and make their predictions. Such is the case with the Deseret News preseason High School rankings. Basically they have gone from last years totals to predict this years forecast.

So we will post the rankings, 5A, 4A and 3A and see what you think about these preseason postings:

Certainly nothing earth shattering here. Alta is the defending champ, knocking off surprise Layton last season. However it is totalUTAHpreps.com prediction that Alta will not be on top in November. They lost some major players to Division 1 programs and the cupboard may not be quite as full. Bingham also graduated some key players that are going to play big time football this fall, but likely has the tools to get to the big game. Layton and Northridge will also play a role in the final standings, with the Knights making the biggest noise. Don’t be surprised to see a tough Davis team compete for respect if they can get past their two Region 1 foes.

It is nearly impossible to go against Timpview, and TUP will not be brave enough to do so as the T-Birds continue to dominate 4A and would likely do the same in 5A if given the chance. This season, both Cottonwood and Pine View will be in the thick of contention. The Colts have major talent coming back, with players getting looks from the biggest schools in the country. TUP believes they will be in the championship game against Timpview and could wear the crown later this year.

Pine View will breeze through Region 9 play this year and will not face a tough test until the semi-finals. They have WR Robert Evans coming back. The lightning quick Evans will be a big time threat anytime he gets his hands on the ball.

It is always a safe call to put the Logan Grizzlies at the top of 3A barrell. With this being their last year in 3A, the Grizzlies should continue to dominate in Region 11.  Judge and Juan Diego always field a tough team and the Miners of Park City should be in the Region 10 hunt. Don’t be surprised though if the state champion doesn’t come from down south this season. Both Cedar and Hurricane have a talented team coming back. Hurricane returns nearly every starter from last year and running back Gordie Dotson produced close to 2,000 all purpose yards.

The sudden and unexpected death of his mother on July 5th of this year help secure his decision to become a Cougar. She was a big fan of BYU during the Steve Young and Ty Detmer era.

For more on this important story, read the article written by Total Blue Sports