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Few things are more thrilling for a team than to rise from the ashes of a mediocre season to transform into a playoff team or even a region and state title contender only a year later. For several Utah high school football teams, such a scenario has become a reality in 2016.
Layton Christian looks like a bona-fide threat to win the Class 1A title. The Eagles (7-2) have already equaled their school record for wins this season after winning just two games a season ago.
Major improvement on both sides of the ball sparked a change in fortune. Layton Christian ranked last in scoring defense (40.7 ppg) and second-to-last in scoring offense (9.3 ppg) among Class 1A teams a year ago. This season, the Eagles are averaging 26.2 points per game and allowing 18.9 per contest.
Bear River and Delta have also experienced dramatic improvement at the Class 3AA and Class 3A level respectively. The Rabbits (6-3) are just a game out of first place in the 3A South region this year after opening last season with seven straight losses and finishing 4-8 overall. The Bears (6-3) have clinched their first winning season in three years after winning just three games a year ago.
Defensive improvement has sparked both teams. Delta is allowing just 15.6 points per game in 2016 compared to 32.5 points per game last year. Bear River leads Class 3AA in scoring defense, yielding 12.9 points per game after allowing 27.1 points per game in 2015.
Lehi, Fremont and Woods Cross have made the biggest jumps among Class 5A and Class 4A teams. Fremont (8-1) is in sole possession of first place in Region 1 going into the final week of the regular season after finishing 6-5 a year ago. Woods Cross (5-3) has turned things around after suffering just its second losing season since 2009.
Lehi's rise in the Class 5A ranks is the most dramatic of all three. The Pioneers (6-3) are just two years removed from a winless season and have clinched their first winning record in 12 years. A win in its regular season finale can help Lehi also reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004 when the Pioneers were still a Class 3A team.
Cammon Cooper, the state's leading passer, has been the biggest difference maker for Lehi. Cooper has thrown for 3,027 yards and 30 touchdowns in nine games this season.
Most Improved Utah High School Football Teams in 2016
1. Layton Christian Academy (Layton)2015 record: 2-9
2016 record: 7-2
Games improved: +6
2. Bear River (Garland)2015 record: 3-8
2016 record: 6-3
Games improved: +4
3. Lehi2015 record: 3-7.
2016: record: 6-3
Games improved: +3.5
4. Delta 2015 record: 4-8
2016 record: 6-3
Games improved: +3.5
5. Woods Cross2015 record: 3-8
2016 record: 5-3
Games improved: +3.5
Woods Cross is one of the top 10 most improved teams from 2015 to 2016.
Photo by Jeff Porcaro
1-9
2016 record: 4-5
Games improved: +3.5
7. Fremont (Plain City) 2015 record: 6-5
2016 record: 8-1
Games improved: +3
8. Enterprise2015 record: 5-6
2016 record: 7-2
Games improved: +3
9. West Jordan 2015 record: 5-5
2016 record: 7-2
Games improved: +2.5
10. Salem Hills (Salem) 2015 record: 5-7
2016 record: 6-3
Games improved: +2.5
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
