{"id":4225,"date":"2026-07-25T15:36:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T15:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=4225"},"modified":"2026-07-25T15:36:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T15:36:36","slug":"high-school-football-kanab-leads-the-pack-but-challengers-are-ready-in-1a-south-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=4225","title":{"rendered":"High school football: Kanab leads the pack, but challengers are ready in 1A South region."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Coming off its first state championship since 2007, Kanab enters the 2026 season looking to defend its 1A title despite significant graduation losses. Kanab knew it had a solid team last season and were finally able to reach the pinnacle after so long. <\/p>\n

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The Cowboys hope to do just that again this upcoming season, even after so much turnover. And the other coaches have taken note, voting them as the preseason favorite to win the 1A South region.<\/p>\n

They know that they will need help from Walker Baird and Bryce Szymanski were both Second Team all-state players last year for the Kanab offensive line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost a lot of production and experience, so we have a lot of work to do,\u201d said Kanab coach JR Quarnberg. \u201cBryce Szymanski and Walker Baird will have to lead us up front, but we do return several key two-way players.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of those returning players is senior Lattimer Glover, who is expected to play a larger role at tight end and linebacker.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe (Lattimer) has been a vital part of our program for several years. He will look to take on an even bigger role, and we are excited to see what he can do,\u201d said Quarnberg.<\/p>\n

Defensively, Kanab returns senior Degan Swapp, who recorded 59 tackles last season, along with junior Grady Anderson, who finished with 63 tackles and seven interceptions while both earning second-team all-atate honors for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

Quarnberg stated, \u201cWe are a bit more experienced on the defensive side of the ball, and we are working well together and looking to become a strong defensive team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming into the season Beaver was projected to finish No. 2 in the region. The Beavers look to return to the top of not just the region but the whole 1A classification. Not winning the state title for the first time since dropping down to 1A. The Beavers return on five starters from last year, two on offense and three on defense. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe will have a young team with a lot of new faces. We are excited to start putting the pieces together and see what we can accomplish,\u201d said Beaver coach Jonathan Marshall, \u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to working hard to compete with the best teams in our classification.\u201d <\/p>\n

The Beavers have also endured a turbulent offseason. The Cottonwood Fire burned just five miles east of Beaver, leaving a burn scar on the mountainside that many residents held dear. Heavy rains on the scarred landscape recently contributed to devastating flooding throughout the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a huge challenge for our community,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cWe have players whose families have been severely impacted by the flood. Football has become secondary over the last week because of the flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the devastation, Marshall said the experience brought the team together in a unique way.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s given our team the opportunity to give back and provide service to a lot of people,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cThe lessons learned from serving will benefit our young men more than anything we do on the football field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marshall also praised the response from those inside and outside the Beaver community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have had so many people reach out and offer to help,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a very humbling experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming in third is the Enterprise Wolves. The Wolves have been having an uphill climb the last two seasons, finishing 3-8 and 4-7 respectively. But that is something that Enterprise head coach Andy Messersmith hopes to change. <\/p>\n

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Enterprise returns 15 starters from last season, nine on offense and six on defense, giving the Wolves reason for optimism as they look to return to championship form.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the experience we have returning, we\u2019re hoping to have a great year.\u201d Messersmith said. <\/p>\n

The Wolves were one of the youngest teams in 1A last season, starting six sophomores on offense. One of those sophomores was all-state running back Jake Christensen who ran for 1,038 yards and accounted for 23 total touchdowns. After averaging 21 points per game last season, Enterprise hopes that added experience will translate into more wins and another postseason run. But that is easier said than done as the Wolves are in a region with both Beaver and Kanab, winners of the last four 1A titles. <\/p>\n

Defensively, Enterprise returns six starters, including four juniors. Combined with an experienced offense, the Wolves have reason to believe they can improve on last season\u2019s finish.<\/p>\n

Picked fourth in the 1A South preseason coaches poll, Parowan enters the season looking to continue the progress it made a year ago. After improving from two wins in 2024 to four victories last season, the Rams return 15 starters and believe they have the experience to take another step forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a strong group of returning guys this year, but are hoping they step up to fill some pretty big gaps left by guys that graduated,\u201d head coach Ryan Heath said. \u201cWe are excited for what we are bringing back and challenging guys to step into new roles and embrace what they are asked to do. Our guys are ready to get the season started. Our expectations are high for a successful season.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rams return nine starters on offense, including five along the offensive line. Senior running back Tyrel Vest returns after rushing for 377 yards and six touchdowns, while senior receivers Cooper Heath and Mason Biasi combined for 331 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Junior Tyson Bettridge is expected to take over at quarterback after serving in a reserve role last season.<\/p>\n

Defensively, Parowan returns six starters led by Vest, who recorded 59 tackles, two sacks and an interception. Heath added 48 tackles, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown, while Rustyn Mackelprang finished with 56 tackles and a sack. If the Rams can successfully replace their graduated seniors, they believe they have the experience to contend in another competitive 1A South race.<\/p>\n

1A South projections<\/h3>\n

(Preseason rankings are based on coaches\u2019 votes)<\/p>\n

1. Kanab Cowboys<\/h3>\n

2026 Schedule<\/h4>\n

Head coach:<\/b> JR Quarnberg<\/p>\n

Is entering his seventh season as head coach at his high school alma mater after leading the program to a 54-19 record the past six years, including a state title in 2025. He\u2019s a graduate of Southern Utah University.<\/p>\n

Coach JR Quarnberg\u2019s general outlook<\/b><\/p>\n

The Boys are excited and working hard. We have kids competing for positions and looking to find roles. We return about half of our starters, so we should have a fairly experienced group. We do feel like we have more depth than we have had in the past, hopefully that can be strength for us. We have a senior group that will provide good leadership. You will see a Cowboy group that\u2019s exited to compete. <\/p>\n

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Kanab overview<\/h4>\n
2025 team stats<\/p>\n

2025 Record:<\/strong> 11-1 (first in 1A South with a 3-0 record)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

2025 RPI Ranking:<\/strong> No. 1 in 1A<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
2025 postseason:<\/strong> Beat Beaver, 24-13, in the 1A championship<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
All-time record:<\/strong> 482-277-7 (76 years)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
State titles:<\/strong> 10 (1974, 1976, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1994, 2005, 2007, 2025)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Region titles:<\/strong> 24 (1963, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 co, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 co, 1994 co, 2002 co, 2004 co, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013 co, 2016, 2021, 2025)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Offensive coordinator:<\/b> JR Quarnberg<\/p>\n

2025 offense:<\/b> 41.75 ppg (No. 1 in 1A)<\/p>\n