A year after a second-place finish in Region 1, Davis football coach Scott Peery is optimistic about the 2023 campaign. 

The Darts were 5-1 in league play a year ago and 8-4 overall. The season ended with a loss to Skyridge in the second round of the Class 6A tournament. Now, in year three at the helm of the Darts’ program, Peery is expecting the team to improve. 

“Our expectations and goals are to compete – plain and simple,” he said. “From a game standpoint, we will always set our first goal with a region championship and then turn the playoffs into the second half of the season and review our goals going forward from there.” 

Peery said the defensive line will be a team strength. This position group has some talented returners whom Peery said “will cause havoc and make for a long night for opposing QBs.” Some returning starters that Peery is counting on include Jordan Taula, a captain and three-year mainstay at his defensive line position. Ami Moala will join Taula on the line, filling the gap-filling position of tackle. Two other key linemen on the defensive side of the ball are junior Jackson Kuma and sophomore Juni Moala. 

“[Kuma and Juni Moala] are living up to the hype, and we can’t wait to watch them play,” Peery said. 

At linebacker, a pair of two-year starters make that position solid. Seniors Jacob Faerber and Crew Cunningham, also captains, are leaders and skilled playmakers. Senior Damon Brown and fellow senior McCoy Frasure are two-year starters in the secondary who will once again fill the defensive back positions. 

Peery had good things to say about the offense too.

Davis had some ups and downs on the offensive side last season, but the Darts did score at least 30 points in four of their last six games. This season, seniors Brighton Pierce and Josh Barker will carry the load at running back. Junior Owen Talbot is another play in the mix at running back. Peery said he has “an uncanny ability to make plays.” Perry loves what the wide receivers bring to the field.

“Kash Gates (a senior) will have a monster year, as he has all the tools to run every route and make big plays,” he said. “Bode Sparrow (a freshman) continues to wow us at practice with acrobatic catches and is dangerous in the red zone. Tyson Baggett (a sophomore) – this kid is the human joystick and is slippery for any defenders.”

Peery pointed out that additional receivers Easton Frasure, a junior, and Logan Sundloff, a senior, complement the others and add depth to the position. Lineman Jackson Rust, a senior, is the team’s top player along the offensive line. Wyatt Rash, Dylan Child and Drew Walters are returning starters from the offensive line. 

As for the all-important quarterback position, Tradon Bessinger will start when the Darts face Lehi in the season opener on Aug. 11. Peery said Bessinger, just a sophomore, is “game ready.”

To build on and surpass last season’s win total and second-place finish in region, Peery said the team needs to not only play well but have success away from games. 

“A lot of emphasis this off-season went to ‘stack the dubs,’ meaning we win on the field and off the field with daily wins,” he said. “These guys are hungry to get the season started and I am excited to see what they can do.” 

Some big changes are coming to the program this season – changes that the players love and that Peery hopes the school and community will enjoy too. Davis football is unveiling three new uniforms this fall, including a change of color in the helmet to gold. 

The excitement kicks off in the Aug. 11 opener. The opponent, Lehi, is the defending 6A champion and handled the Darts last season 48-0. Unlike last year, the two teams meet on Davis’ home field this time around.