Two-a-days: Pleasant Grove Vikings
School: Pleasant Grove
Date: July 6
IN THE TRENCHES:
Practices haven't officially started for the upcoming season but Pleasant Grove certainly knows what to expect. The Vikings have a very experienced core of players coming back. On top of experience, the players bring loads of talent.
It's been a summer unlike any other for coach Dale Sampson, who fielded and entertained calls from college coaches throughout the offseason. Seven players on this year's team have garnered some attention from the next level. Of course there's Dallas Lloyd, who was one of the most recruited players in the state. The quarterback received eleven offers from all across the country before settling on Stanford.
With the experience and the talent, the Vikings certainly have a chance to compete for a fourth straight region title.
ON OFFENSE:
The Vikings had a talented senior class last season but Pleasant Grove will certainly miss the services of LeSean Wilcox, who averaged 7.45 yard a carry and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns. But Pleasant Grove will bring back Joey Owens, who was just effective in the running game. Owens, who has verbally committed to BYU, will play
tailback this season. Last year, Owens had eight rushing touchdowns, second only to Wilcox.
But the Vikings will have a balanced attack. Pleasant Grove will take advantage of having Lloyd and strong field of receivers. The Vikings will basically have three tight ends in Sefa Tanoai, Bryan Sampson and Jason Fanaika.
"I would say that people are going to have a hard time defending the size of our receivers," Sampson said. "They could all be out there at the same time."
But Sampson isn't going to focus on just one aspect on offense.
"We're going to adapt to our strengths. We want to play ball control," Sampson said. "We just want to be consistent."
ON DEFENSE:
Like the offense, Sampson wants the defense to be flexible enough to adjust to different situations.
"We'll be able to run multiple fronts," Sampson said. "We want to play attack-type defense and put pressure on the offense."
A main cog will be Jordan Hymas, who led the team in tackles last year and is back at middle linebacker. Hymas will anchor the defense.
THE VETERAN:
There's no question the veteran of this group of quarterback Dallas Lloyd. He won the starting job last season and proved that he was indeed the man for the job with his performance all year. He threw for 1,689 yard and 15 touchdowns and was a double threat. He is dangerous on his feet — he had five rushing touchdowns last year.
He proved to be a clutch player and perhaps one of the most memorable games from last season was a come-from-behind win over Lone Peak.
Lloyd orchestrated an 11-play, 69-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that put the Vikings over the top. During that drive, Lloyd was poised and displayed leadership.
"Just the confidence he showed in that drive, he showed he was a go-to guy," Sampson said. "He just had the ability to make first downs."
THE NEW GUY:
The new kid on the block is Austin Heder. He made quite a name for himself at the BYU camp the offseason. Heater, at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, will play linebacker and fullback as a junior this year.
His work ethic is unmatched and to go along with his physical attributes, he has the brains to exceed on the field. Off the field, he has a 4.0 GPA.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The Vikings are shooting for the top of the region. For the last three seasons, Pleasant Grove has won at least a share of the region title. But the Vikings know it will be an especially tough task this season.
There's a slight hint of uncertainty as the Vikings will be in a new Region 4 which includes Lone Peak, American Fork and newcomers Alta, Brighton, Hillcrest and Jordan.
Pleasant Grove knows it will be a very competitive region, especially with traditional power Alta. But expect the Vikings to compete for another region title.
-- Maggie Thach
Date: July 6
IN THE TRENCHES:
Practices haven't officially started for the upcoming season but Pleasant Grove certainly knows what to expect. The Vikings have a very experienced core of players coming back. On top of experience, the players bring loads of talent.
It's been a summer unlike any other for coach Dale Sampson, who fielded and entertained calls from college coaches throughout the offseason. Seven players on this year's team have garnered some attention from the next level. Of course there's Dallas Lloyd, who was one of the most recruited players in the state. The quarterback received eleven offers from all across the country before settling on Stanford.
With the experience and the talent, the Vikings certainly have a chance to compete for a fourth straight region title.
ON OFFENSE:
The Vikings had a talented senior class last season but Pleasant Grove will certainly miss the services of LeSean Wilcox, who averaged 7.45 yard a carry and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns. But Pleasant Grove will bring back Joey Owens, who was just effective in the running game. Owens, who has verbally committed to BYU, will play
tailback this season. Last year, Owens had eight rushing touchdowns, second only to Wilcox.
But the Vikings will have a balanced attack. Pleasant Grove will take advantage of having Lloyd and strong field of receivers. The Vikings will basically have three tight ends in Sefa Tanoai, Bryan Sampson and Jason Fanaika.
"I would say that people are going to have a hard time defending the size of our receivers," Sampson said. "They could all be out there at the same time."
But Sampson isn't going to focus on just one aspect on offense.
"We're going to adapt to our strengths. We want to play ball control," Sampson said. "We just want to be consistent."
ON DEFENSE:
Like the offense, Sampson wants the defense to be flexible enough to adjust to different situations.
"We'll be able to run multiple fronts," Sampson said. "We want to play attack-type defense and put pressure on the offense."
A main cog will be Jordan Hymas, who led the team in tackles last year and is back at middle linebacker. Hymas will anchor the defense.
THE VETERAN:
There's no question the veteran of this group of quarterback Dallas Lloyd. He won the starting job last season and proved that he was indeed the man for the job with his performance all year. He threw for 1,689 yard and 15 touchdowns and was a double threat. He is dangerous on his feet — he had five rushing touchdowns last year.
He proved to be a clutch player and perhaps one of the most memorable games from last season was a come-from-behind win over Lone Peak.
Lloyd orchestrated an 11-play, 69-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that put the Vikings over the top. During that drive, Lloyd was poised and displayed leadership.
"Just the confidence he showed in that drive, he showed he was a go-to guy," Sampson said. "He just had the ability to make first downs."
THE NEW GUY:
The new kid on the block is Austin Heder. He made quite a name for himself at the BYU camp the offseason. Heater, at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, will play linebacker and fullback as a junior this year.
His work ethic is unmatched and to go along with his physical attributes, he has the brains to exceed on the field. Off the field, he has a 4.0 GPA.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The Vikings are shooting for the top of the region. For the last three seasons, Pleasant Grove has won at least a share of the region title. But the Vikings know it will be an especially tough task this season.
There's a slight hint of uncertainty as the Vikings will be in a new Region 4 which includes Lone Peak, American Fork and newcomers Alta, Brighton, Hillcrest and Jordan.
Pleasant Grove knows it will be a very competitive region, especially with traditional power Alta. But expect the Vikings to compete for another region title.
-- Maggie Thach
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