High school football: Hurricane is unanimous favorite to take Region 9

It was unanimous amongst Region 9 coaches; Hurricane is the favorite to take the region title this season.

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It’s easy to see why, as three of Region 9’s six teams return only two or fewer total starters from the 2025 season. Hurricane returns 13 total starters from a team that finished tied for second in the region a year ago.

The Tigers have also been on an upward trajectory since hiring head coach Jerry Cowan ahead of the 2024 season.

“I think when I started it was kind of down in the dumps,” Cowan said. “Our first year we did a lot of good things, won five games, and then last year our senior class got us back on the map as a program and made it so teams were at least respecting us and knowing that they can’t just look past us like they maybe did in the last several years.”

The biggest thing going for Hurricane is its defense. Last year, it ranked top-3 in 4A and held opponents to an average of 17.73 points. The Tigers return eight starters from that stout defense.

Starring on the defense is defensive end Tanner Matua. Matua was a 4A all-state first-team member last year after tallying 64 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, five sacks and 15 QB hurries. He’ll have his hands full as he’ll also start on the offensive line.

Hurricane’s offense will be a bit greener compared to the defense, but it’ll still return three offensive linemen and two receivers.

However, Cowan has a decision to make at quarterback between junior Kannon Cowan and senior Gunner Higgins.

“Kannon’s been our freshman and JV quarterback the last 2 years. He’s been very successful and hasn’t lost a game at those levels. Gunner’s a move-in that has a lot of good qualities about him. He’s more of a gunslinger, and Cannon’s more of an athlete.

“It’s kind of like having two different skill sets and trying to decide how we’re going to go about that. Bottom line is both of them give us a chance to win games. We feel real good about having that type of depth.”

Despite winning four straight region titles and back-to-back 4A titles in 2023 and 2024, Crimson Cliffs finished second in this year’s coaches poll.

The Mustangs are in a transitional era. They lost 21 starters from last year, meaning they’ll only return just one starter.

“As we look ahead to the 2026 season, there are plenty of questions that need to be answered,” said head coach Wayne Alofipo. “We must replace 21 starters from last year’s team, along with many key backups, making this one of the biggest transitions our program has faced in recent years.”

However, if you return only one starter, you’d probably like it to be your quarterback. That’s exactly who Crimson Cliffs will have in Tanoai Andresen.

As a junior, Andresen threw for 2,042 yards on a 65% completion percentage. He also had a 29:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

While all the personnel around him will be new, Andresen will at least bring a year of varsity experience with him.

Hurricane and Crimson Cliffs were the clear top-two in the voting, but after that it’s much closer as Desert Hills, Pine View and Snow Canyon all finished tied for third.

One thing is clear for Desert Hills: it has a lot of work to do this season.

The Thunder are coming off a 2-8 season and will be under the direction of a brand-new head coach in Tanner Baldaree.

Desert Hills does have a few things going for it. It’ll return six starters on defense, and while the offense will mostly be new, the Thunder’s top rusher from last year will be back.

Isaac Andresen ran for 978 yards on 206 carries for six touchdowns last year. He also pitched in 226 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air.

After a four-year hiatus, Ray Hosner is back as head coach for Pine View. Hosner previously coached 21 years for the Panthers.

Similarly to Crimson Cliffs, Pine View will be starting from square one. The Panthers will return zero offensive starters and two defensive starters.

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“We will be young and starting five freshmen this year,” Hosner said. “We look forward to getting better every week.”

Snow Canyon also finished tied for third, but it returns the most experience of anyone in the region with 15 starters coming back.

The Warriors had a modest season last year. They finished with a 6-4 record and were tied for second in the region.

They’ll also have a new head coach this year with Zack Tauteoli taking over. Snow Canyon’s expectations are high with the amount of returners it’ll have.

“Expectations are high, and I have full confidence in this group,” Tauteoli said. “They’ve done a tremendous job building on the foundation left by last year’s seniors. Our community has done an incredible job of giving them the resources they need to grow, get better and have joy in the process.

“Rice-Eccles is always the goal, but we are fully focused on week one. Right now, it’s about preaching physicality and relentless hard work, so we hit our stride at the exact right moment.”

Finishing last in this year’s Region 9 coaches poll was Dixie.

The Flyers finished last in the region and did so without getting a single region win. They’ll also return only one total starter from last year’s group.

Will Liebert enters his second year as head coach for Dixie, and despite the record and low returners, he remains optimistic.

“Super young team with loads of talent,” Liebert said. “We will have sophomore stars on both sides of the ball.”

Region 9 projections

(Preseason rankings are based on coaches’ votes)

1. Hurricane Tigers

2026 Schedule

Head coach: Jerry Cowan

Now entering his third season as head coach at Hurricane after leading the program to a 12-11 record this previous two years. Prior to that, Cowan spent 17 seasons as head coach at Duchesne over two different stints with a combined 155-44 record, including State titles in 2006, 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020. He’s a graduate of Grand High School and Southern Utah University.

Coach Jerry Cowan’s general outlook

The 2025 Hurricane Football team did a great job putting our program back into the winning ways. This years team has many of those major contributors back but also a new core of kids that we’re very excited about. We feel we are two deep at every position which will allow us to keep guys playing faster and stronger throughout the game. Our team has made tremendous progress in the weight room which we are optimistic will lead to more wins throughout the very talented Region 9.

Offensive coordinator: Brett Harrison

2025 offense: 30.64 ppg (No. 9 in 4A)

• Five returning starters
• Gun T/Pistol T/Spread offense

Returning offensive starters

• Tanner Matua, OT, Sr.
• Gunnar Gardner, OG, Sr.
• McKabe Gardner, OG, Sr.
• Carter Wardle, TE/WR, Sr.
• Brad Rose, WR, Sr.

Key offensive newcomers

• Titan Borchardt, SLOT, Jr.
• Drake Gines, FB, Jr.
• Rj Allred, FB, Sr.
• Kannon Cowan, QB, Jr.
• Gunner Higgins, QB, Sr.
• Max Hutchings, WING, Sr.
• Behr Kimber, T, Jr.
• Eli Barlow, C, Jr.
• Kole Ireland, TE, Sr.
• Tyson Peterson, T, Sr.

Defensive coordinator: Vince Johnson

2025 defense: 17.73 ppg (No. 3 in 4A)

• Eight returning starters
• 4-2-5 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Tanner Matua, DE, Sr.
• Mckabe Gardner, DE, Sr.
• Drake Gines, LB, Jr.
• Titan Borchardt, DB, Jr.
• Kannon Cowan, FS, Jr.
• Bentley Fischer, LB, Sr.
• Carter Wardle, S, Sr.
• Brad Rose, DB, Sr.

Key defensive newcomers

• Russel Ellison, LB, Sr.
• Gunnar Gardner, DT, Sr.
• Toa Numera, DE, Jr.
• Max Hutchings, FS, Sr.
• Colten Higgins, DB, Sr.
• David Gutierrez, DE, Sr.

2. Crimson Cliffs Mustangs

2026 Schedule

Head coach: Wayne Alofipo

Entering his fifth season as head coach in what has been a dominant stretch for the Mustangs with Alofipo at the helm. In his first four seasons, he’s guided the program to a 45-8 record with four semifinal appearances and two State titles (2023 and 2024). He’s a graduate of West High School and Dixie State University.

Coach Wayne Alofipo’s general outlook

As we look ahead to the 2026 season, there are plenty of questions that need to be answered. We must replace 21 starters from last year’s team, along with many key backups, making this one of the biggest transitions our program has faced in recent years. As always, it starts in the trenches, where we will work to establish our identity before sorting out the skill positions around them. We feel very good about our upcoming senior class and the leadership they will provide. However, for the first time in five years, we will be relying on sophomores and younger players to help supplement that senior group. While there will be challenges along the way, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to watching this team grow. It should be a fun ride, and we’re excited to be on it.

Offensive coordinator: Kelan Weiss

2025 offense: 33.75 ppg (No. 7 in 4A)

• One returning starters
• Spread offense

Returning offensive starters

• Tanoai Andresen

Key offensive newcomers

• Sekope Nonu, OL, Sr.
• Peyton Burt, OL, Sr.
• Isaac “Hu” Alisa, RB/Slot, Fr.
• James Wintch, TE/Slot, Jr.
• Ryder Wilkinson, WR, Sr.
• Koy Duckett, WR, Sr.
• Jett Bastion, SLOT, Jr.

Defensive coordinator: Wayne Alofipo

2025 defense: 19.92 ppg (No. 7 in 4A)

• Zero returning starters
• 3-4 defense

Returning defensive starters

• None

Key defensive newcomers

• Kammon Uluave, FS, Sr.
• Parker Buksa, MLB, Sr.
• Ryder Christiansen, MLB, Jr.
• Houston Peterson, OLB, Sr.
• Solo Panama, DL, Sr.
• Slade Stevenson, SS, So.
• Knox Mcfarland, DB, Jr.
• Pele Kaonohi, DB, So.

T3. Desert Hills Thunder

2026 Schedule

Head coach: Tanner Baldaree

After serving as a Desert Hills assistant coach the past six seasons, he is taking over as head coach for the 2026 season. He’s a graduate of Sherwood High School in Oregon and BYU.

Offensive coordinator: Carl Franke

2025 offense: 11.8 ppg (No. 25 in 4A)

• Three returning starters
• Multiple Offense

Returning offensive starters

• Isaac Andresen, WR, Sr.
• Olin Clawson, OL, Sr.
• Syrus Tofu, OL, Jr.

Key offensive newcomers

• Deacon Virgin, QB, Sr.
• Brady Christensen, TE, Sr.
• Seth Brown, RB, Jr.

Defensive coordinator: Tanner Balderred

2025 defense: 27.7 ppg (No. 14 in 4A)

• Six returning starters
• 4-2-5 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Lucas Guadarrama, LB, Sr.
• Colton Hopper, DE, Sr.
• Ethan Smith, DT, Jr.
• Cj Tafua, DT, Jr.
• Asher Snow, DL, Sr.
• Lincoln Hillyard, CB, Sr.

Key defensive newcomers

• Ej Sipili, LB, Jr.
• Jj Malufau, LB, Sr.
• Steven Philips, LB, Jr.
• Troy Malufau, S, Jr.
• Chaustin Brazzle, CB, Jr.

T3. Pine View Panthers

2026 Schedule

Head coach: Ray Hosner

Following a four-year hiatus, Ray Hosner is back at the helm of a Pine View program he guided for 20 years from 2001 to 2021. During that stretch he held Pine View to 177-70 record and eight Region titles. He’s a graduate of Jamison Madison High School in New York and SUU.

Coach Ray Hosner’s general outlook

We will be young and starting 5 freshman this year. We look forward to getting better every week.

Offensive coordinator: I started my career with Adam Legg as my QB and now he will lead me out as my OC

2025 offense: 30.5 ppg (No. 10 in 4A)

• Zero returning starters
• Spread offense

Returning offensive starters

• None

Key offensive newcomers

• Coy Doman, QB, So.
• Jax Carlsen, TE, So.
• Jonah Myers, WR, So.
• Max Yocham, WR, Sr.
• Carter Buchanan, WR, Sr.
• Daxton Gifford, RB, Jr.
• Monti Alisa, OL, Fr.
• Jayden Poulsen, OL, So.
• Nixin Clow, OL, Sr.
• Beckham Tuha, OL, Fr.
• Easton Scott, OL, Jr.
• Benjamin Reed, WR, Jr.

Defensive coordinator: Dre Smith

2025 defense: 29.8 ppg (No. 16 in 4A)

• Two returning starters
• 3-4 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Colby Himelright, SS, Jr.
• Christian Carlsen, OLB, Sr.

Key defensive newcomers

• Anthony Madsen, LB, Jr.
• Chase Lefevre, DB, Sr.
• Trey Amico, FS, Fr.
• Nohea Myers, DB, Fr.
• Trey Leaupepe, OLB, Jr.
• Tristan Dellos, DL, Jr.
• Titan Dellos, DL, Jr.
• Helaman Falaniko, LB, Jr.
• Sunia Fifita, DL, Fr.
• Titan Funk, DL, Fr.

T3. Snow Canyon Warriors

2026 Schedule

Head coach: Zack Tauteoli

An assistant coach at Snow Canyon the past two seasons, he’s taking over as head coach heading into the 2026 season. He’s a graduate of Brighton High School and Snow College.

Coach Zack Tauteoli’s general outlook

Expectations are high, and I have full confidence in this group. They’ve done a tremendous job building on the foundation left by last year’s seniors. Our community has done an incredible job of giving them the resources they need to grow, get better and have joy in the process. Rice-Eccles is always the goal, but we are fully focused on week one. Right now, it’s about preaching physicality and relentless hard work so we hit our stride at the exact right moment.

Offensive coordinator: Cody Johnson

2025 offense: 24.8 ppg (No. 14 in 4A)

• Seven returning starters
• Spread offense

Returning offensive starters

• Jaylend Filipe, OL, Sr.
• Will Fisher, OL, Sr.
• Liam Morales, OL, Sr.
• Parker Olson, QB, Sr.
• Brody Lounsbury, RB, Sr.
• Issaiah Thompson, WR, Sr.
• Brett Bethers, WR, Sr.
• Cory Hiatt, TE, Sr.

Key offensive newcomers

• Miles Randolph, WR, Sr.
• Jake Campbell, WR, Sr.
• Aaron Longoria, RB, Sr.
• Kolby Lamoreaux, RB, Jr.
• Bron Johnson, TE, Jr.
• Derek Gough, OL, Jr.
• Marshall Turner, OL, Sr.
• Jonah Larsen, OL, Jr.
• Jay Hafoka, OL, Jr.

Defensive coordinator: Vea Fakahua

2025 defense: 22.1 ppg (No. 10 in 4A)

• Eight returning starters
• 4-3 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Brody Lounsbury, ATH, Sr.
• Jaylend Filipe, DT, Sr.
• Will Fisher, DT, Sr.
• Liam Morales, DT, Sr.
• Caleb Greenwood, LB, Sr.
• Miles Randolph, DB, Sr.
• Krew Lefevre, DB, Sr.

Key defensive newcomers

• Winston Halapua, DE, Sr.
• Jay Hafoka, DT, Jr.
• Jonah Larsen, DE, Jr.
• Krew Jensen, LB, Sr.
• Kolby Lamoreaux, LB, Jr.
• Bron Johnson, LB, Jr.
• Duncan Spendlove, LB, Jr.
• Jake Campbell, DB, Sr.
• Linc Hafen, DB, Jr.
• Reggie Ence, DB, Jr.

6. Dixie Flyers

2026 Schedule

Head coach: Will Liebert

The former Dixie High and Dixie State assistant coach is heading into his second season as head coach for the Flyers after last year’s 2-8 debut season. He’s a graduate of Bonneville High School in Idaho and Dixie State.

Coach Will Liebert’s general outlook

Super young team with loads of talent. We will have sophomore stars on both sides of the ball.

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Offensive coordinator: Cam Morby

2025 offense: 14.8 ppg (No. 23 in 4A)

• Zero returning starters
• Spread offense

Returning offensive starters

• None

Key offensive newcomers

• Riker Mulstien
• Brygunn Solderquist

Defensive coordinator: Misi Tupe

2025 defense: 29 ppg (No. 15 in 4A)

• One returning starter
• 4-3 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Kirby Martin, DL, Sr.

Key defensive newcomers

• Hudson Seegmiller, DL, Sr.