By Steve Pimper
MaxPreps.com
The football pads, helmets and cleats have been put away for another year as the 2007 state champions have been crowned in all five classifications and 122 schools in Utah now turn their attention to basketball in search of more state championship hardware.
Several strong contenders for the gold trophies have already been identified.
Starting in the 5A ranks, defending champion Lone Peak is loaded with returning starters and added depth from a talented JV squad and is still the team to beat this year.
Coach Quincy Lewis guided his team to a state best 24-1 record last year in capturing the title and returns All-State players in Branden Funk and Tyler Haws to anchor a squad that looks to be the odds on favorite to defend its title this year.
The Brighton Bengals may be the biggest challenger to that bid to repeat as coach Lyndon Johnson has assembled a dangerous squad led by University of Utah pledge Jace Tavita along with big man Ali Langford.
Other 5A squads drawing early season attention include coach Jay Welk's Davis Darts (18-4 last year), Mark Dubach's Bingham Miners (20-4) and the Pleasant Grove Vikings (16-6).
In the 4A classification, coach Mike Maxwell's Bountiful Braves (18-5) have received most of the preseason press largely due to the return of 6-foot-11 Ben Aird and sharpshooting guard Jordan Maxwell.
The Provo Bulldogs, last year's 4A champions, are always in the hunt and Timpview would love to add the basketball championship trophy to the football crown it captured just 10 days ago. Woods Cross, Roy, Pine View and Cottonwood are possible breakthrough candidates in this division.
Coach Jim Yerkovich's Judge Memorial Bulldogs again look to be bully in 3A after a 22-3 mark a year ago and looking the elite team in this classification throughout the season.
The most likely challengers look to be Juan Diego, Union or Logan.
North Summit in 2A may have the best shot at pulling off a football-basketball championship double. The Braves went 22-3 last year and return enough athletes to be dominant again. South Sevier (20-4), Manti (10-13), Richfield (12-10) and Millard (16-9) are seen as the most likely candidates to challenge the Braves.
The 1A ranks are wide open with Pangitch (21-5), Escalante (20-7), Tabiona (13-12), Duchesne (21-4) and Christian Heritage (21-6) tabbed as the best in the early season polls.
