In 2022, the Bountiful High School football team had little trouble with Region 5 opponents.

It was the other teams on the schedule that gave the Redhawks problems. 

Bountiful won Region 5 a year ago with a perfect 5-0 record. In those games, the Redhawks never allowed more than 16 points in a single game, twice surrendering just seven points. The stellar defensive play was a hallmark of the team all year, as Bountiful gave up only 15 points per game. 

However, the Redhawks were 2-3 in games against non-region foes. That included a 35-25 state quarterfinals loss to Orem in the Class 5A playoffs. Though Orem had been a recent state power, it had been having a down year and had to face Bountiful on the Redhawks’ home field. But Orem pulled off the upset and ended Bountiful’s season prematurely. 

With the 2023 season coming up, Bountiful welcomes the chance to defend its region title. Region 5, however, will look a little different than it has the past few seasons. Realignments across the state now have Clearfield and Roy, previously in Class 6A, coming to the region. 

Though the Redhawks had a strong defense last season, the offense struggled at times. Bountiful averaged 18 points a game and never scored more than 28 points in a game, which it achieved in the first game of the season. Quarterback Owen Geilman has graduated, as have the top two running backs from last season, Corbin Cottle and Kenobi Doctolero. The good news is, backup quarterback Faletau Satuala is back for his senior season. He was also the leading receiver last season and played some defensive back too. Senior wide receiver Jacob Brooks should get more work this season. He had 11 catches for 111 yards last season. Senior Brigham Morrison, who played a reserve role in 2022, will likely be a go-to player in the backfield. 

The defense could be even better this season. 

Mertz had 55 tackles and three sacks a year ago, while Morrison was the team’s leading tackler with 85. Brooks had 53 tackles and a team-high three interceptions last season. Junior Britton Tidwell had 28 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions (including one for a TD) last season. Satuala made 58 tackles and had a sack and three interceptions, with one INT returned for a touchdown. 

Bountiful has a challenging game to open the season when it plays at Herriman Aug. 11. The first home game is a week later against Farmington. Region 5 play starts for the Redhawks Sept. 1 at home against Viewmont. Bountiful will play seven league games this season, culminating in an Oct. 13 contest at Woods Cross.