Prep football preview: Maple Mountain Golden Eagles

EDITOR'S NOTE • This is one in a series of previews of Utah's high school football programs. They will run throughout the summer leading up to the 2014 regular season, which begins Aug. 21.

Maple Mountain Golden Eagles

There's little doubt the Maple Mountain offense will be true to its mascot this season.

These Golden Eagles will take to the air.

With so much talent returning at the skill positions — specifically quarterback and receiver — it would be foolish to consider any other plan of attack.

"The goal is to always be balanced, but clearly our strength is going to be our passing game," Maple Mountain coach Brad Burtenshaw said.

That's because junior Jaren Hall is back under center, after throwing for nearly 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago.

Hall's added almost 20 pounds since then, which will make him more difficult to drag down, but it's his confidence and experience that should hurt opponents most.

"He had offers from BYU and Utah during summer camps," Burtenshaw said. "The jump he'll make will come from being physically stronger, but also the confidence he has after being the starter all last year."

The Golden Eagles also return receivers Jake Dixon (four TDs) and Jake Mafi (five TDs) as well as top running back Cole Casper (600 yards, five TDs).

Clear the air space in Spanish Fork.

Last year • 3-7 (2-4 in Region 8)

Key returner • Quarterback Jaren Hall is just a junior, but he threw for 16 TDs and almost 1,400 yards last season.

Player to watch • Senior Jake Dixon plays on both sides of the ball — on offense, as a top receiving target for Hall, and on defense as a ballhawking defensive back.

Biggest hole • Gotta be the defensive line, where only senior Mitch Holmes returns to the starting front.

Need to know • The Golden Eagles failed to make the playoffs last season for just the second time in five years of existence.