Prep football two-a-days: Provo | The Salt Lake Tribune

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There are two building projects taking place at Provo High School.

One is the new football stadium that the Bulldogs will play in this season. The other is the football program itself.

Provo has had just three winning seasons over the last decade, but last year was particularly bad under first-year coach Cody Mallory. The team finished 0-10.

"I'm trying to rebuild the program that has not had consistent success," Mallory said. "We had a rough year on the field, but I think we did a good job of instilling our core beliefs."

Mallory said that this offseason has seen players buying into what he and his assistants are preaching, and the team has performed well in the weight room and at passing camps.

Mallory said he spent the offseason visiting successful colleges and high schools to learn from coaches. The Bulldogs will run the spread-option this season, with Westlake sophomore transfer Vili Iongi at quarterback. Iongi beat out last year's starter Brandon Holden for the quarterback position, but Holden will be relied on as a playmaker running and catching the ball.

As for the team's new stadium, Mallory said it would attract more fans and be a great representation of the direction the football program is heading. There might be another benefit in regards to open enrollment.

"It will help us hold on to athletes that have left in the past for other schools," Mallory said. "Help us improve out retention." —

Provo Bulldogs

ASSIGNMENT • Region 8

LAST YEAR • 0-10 overall, 0-7 Region 8

KEY RETURNER • Isaiah Jones, sr., DB. Coach Mallory called Jones the leader on defense, a unit the coach hopes will be much improved this season.

PLAYER TO WATCH • Grayson Magleby, sr., WR. The 6-foot-4 receiver hasn't played high school football yet, opting instead to focus on basketball. His size will create mismatches against much smaller defensive backs.

BIGGEST HOLE • "Our weakness is our mentality," Mallory said. "In good programs you know you're going to win. Our guys are not used to that."

NEED TO KNOW • The Bulldogs don't have many players on the team and need to avoid serious injuries at all costs.