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The expectations are as high as anywhere at Duchesne.

"We had a few years drought there," Duchesne coach Jerry Cowan said.

The Eagles captured four consecutive state titles from 2010 to 2013 before regaining the crown last year.

Ending that "drought" wasn't as big of motivation as something else for Cowan's squad.

"Kanab beat us early in the year," Cowan said. "When we played them again, we had the pressure of having lost to them before."

The Eagles return their quarterback and top rusher, but most of the units are up for grabs.

"It's a football town. We've done a lot of good things over the last 10 years," Cowan said. "I think most of the people really enjoy it."

Behind center • Quarterback Jarett Spencer (5 foot 10, 160 pounds) is back for his senior season after throwing for 863 yards in 2016, and Cowan expects his signal caller will pass more this time around. When he doesn't drop back, Spencer has weapons nearby. Senior Weston Poulson (6-0, 210) led the team with 909 yards rushing at one wing in Duchesne's wing-T formation. On the other wing, Cowan expects Jaren Mortensen (6-1, 185) to get plenty more carries during his junior season.

Ball hawks • A band of sophomores will make up the receiving corps on offense. That makes senior Dallas Stewart an early first-option for Spencer's throws, at least until the younger players get some playing time and confidence. But Stewart (5-10, 170) is short on experience on offense, having done most of his ball chasing as a defensive back one year ago. On that side of the ball, senior Sergio Anaya got limited action in 2016, and he'll be one of four in competion for a cornerback slot.

In the trenches • Cowan calls the personnel along the offensive and defensive lines "our biggest question mark." He has two starters returning on the offensive front in senior Jack Roberts (5-11, 230) and senior Kade Lamborn (6-3, 205). Roberts will snap the ball at center, and Lamborn will be next to him at one guard spot, while the other three positions are up for grabs. Roberts returns defensively to man the nose guard spot, and he'll be joined on the line by Stewart, who moves up from defensive back to be an end in the 3-4 scheme.

Hit men • When not trying to move the ball on offense, Poulson and Lamborn will be busy trying to stuff the opposition from linebacker spots. Poulson is the leading returning tackler for the Eagles, who lost their top three leaders in that category to graduation. Twins Skyler and Brock Ford got their feet wet as freshmen a year ago, and they'll play much bigger roles at linebacker this season.

Key returners • Jarett Spencer, Sr. (QB); Weston Poulson, Sr. (RB); Jack Roberts, Sr. (C/NG); Kade Lamborn, Sr. (OG/OLB)

Key losses • Steven Skewes, RB/LB; Kenyen Kielbasa, OL/LB; Tyler Betz, OL/DL; Chad Lewis, TE/DB

The next wave • Jaren Mortensen, Jr. (RB/FS); Dallas Stewart, Sr. (WR/DE); Skyler Ford, So. (LB); Brock Ford, So. (LB)

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Duchesne Eagles

Coach • Jerry Cowan, 11th year

Last season • 11-1, 4-0 in 1A North; Class 1A state champions

State championships • 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016

More championship game appearances • 1995, 1996, 2009

2017 schedule

Aug. 18 • at American Leadership, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 • at North Summit, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 • Carbon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 • at Richfield, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 • at Kanab, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 • Milford, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 • Rich, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 • at Altamont, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 (Wed) • Layton Christian, 7 p.m.