Prep football: Sky View Bobcats preview

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

There's no denying the buzz around Cache Valley for the 2017 football season. Tremendous growth has brought two new schools, and realignment has created an almost entirely Logan-based region.

With former Bobcats coach Craig Anhder taking over at Green Canyon, Sky View decided to bring in a coach with tremendous knowledge of the culture around the ever-growing valley. That person is former Utah State player/coach Danilo Robinson, who was a second-team All-Big West defensive end for the Aggies before beginning his coaching career. He eventually ended up back at USU, recruiting the players in and around his college town.

"There's a great football environment in this valley, and we're very much looking forward to playing in this new region," he said. "This football program has a great foundation, and the kids are excited to keep it going against such good competition every week. They're excited, and they're a really hard-working group of young men."

Behind center • Jackson Siddoway returns to lead the Bobcats offense after throwing for nearly 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Senior Cole Stokes, the leading rusher in 2016, also returns to the starting backfield looking to improve on his 5.4 yards-per-carry average and nine touchdowns last season.

Ball hawks • The receiving corps will be one of the "better strengths" of the squad, according to Robinson. "We have a lot of young men who have had a really good offseason," he said. At 6 foot 5, senior Brodie Martin is expected to be the receiver with the highest potential for explosive plays downfield. Robinson said that he also expects junior Ryder Lundahl to have a breakout season, while fellow juniors Caleb Christenssen and John Hansen also will be relied upon in the passing game.

In the trenches • Seniors Carson Boehme, Dawson Durrant, Tanner Hugo, Bracken Beutler and Dawson Beutler all return with varsity experience on the offensive line. Depth on the line continues with players like Andrew Dean and Cobie Wilson. Dean and Wilson will also be the featured players on the defensive front, but the remainder of the rotation is still up for grabs.

Hit men • In addition to his role at tailback, Stokes will see action at linebacker. But the depth at linebacker should be able to provide some relief as Tony Torres, Stockton Dunkley and Ryder Lundahl all can fill in. In the backfield, seniors Duncan McRae and Damian Dubon will be the hard-hitters at safety, while junior Caleb Christenssen and a smattering of other defensive backs round out the rotation.

Key returners • Jackson Siddoway, Sr. (QB); Cole Stokes, Sr. (RB/LB); Brodie Martin, Sr. (WR); Koebe Wilson, Sr. (DL)

Key losses • Kaisho Collins, RB (392 yds, 4 TD); Nate Phillips, WR (544 yds, 6 TD); Rylie Haderlie, LB (124 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 INT); JR Martindale, LB (77 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack)

The next wave • Traeson Martindale, So. (ATH); Scott Morrison, So. (ATH)

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Sky View Bobcats

Coach • Danilo Robinson, first year

Last season • 6-4, 4-2 in Region 1

2016 playoffs •:Lost to Lehi 24-14 (Class 5A first round)

State championship appearances • 1987

2017 schedule

Aug. 18 • at Stansbury, 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 • at Tooele, 7 p.m.

Sep. 1 • at Springville, 7 p.m.

Sep. 8 • Madison (Idaho), 7 p.m.

Sep. 15 • Bear River, 7 p.m.

Sep. 22 • at Mountain Crest, 7 p.m.

Sep. 29 • at Logan, 7 p.m.

Oct.6 • Green Canyon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 • Ridgeline, 7 p.m.