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AMERICAN FORK CAVEMEN

THE HURRY-UP

American Fork finished 11-3, 6-0 in Region 4; lost to Bingham in championship

OFFENSE

The Cavemen have key returners in every area of the offense, and it starts in the backfield with quarterback Tanner Smith and running back Nate Honey. Smith completed 55 percent of his passes in guiding American Fork to the 5A championship game as a junior. Likewise, Honey's junior season in 2014 included a couple of hundred-yard games, although he was not the featured back for AF.

When it comes to receiving, senior Coleson Worley caught almost a thousand yards worth of passes in '14, and he'll lead a group of wide receivers that includes junior Scotty Hughes as well as senior tight ends Austin Griffiths and Garrett Purvis.

Along with Honey, look for junior Brandon Bowen to get some rushing opportunities behind a line that includes junior offensive tackle Michael Richardson — who is being targeted for college ball by Utah, BYU and Arizona.

DEFENSE

Richardson, at defensive end, is also a big part of a Cavemen defense that was first in region last year in points allowed per game.

He'll be joined on the end by senior Garrison Spencer while Ty Peterson and 6-foot-8 junior Davis Rasmussen will also see time on the outside. In the middle of the line, it'll be junior Jake Smith and senior Chad Lund that will anchor the 3-4 defense.

Honey led the team in tackles in 2014 and will spearhead the linebacking corps — which includes Griffith and Purvis.

The American Fork secondary has a pair of returning standouts in Worley at cornerback and Hughes at a safety spot and they'll be keep a check on opposing wideouts with seniors Josh Bailey and Dylan Christensen.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Coach Aaron Behm thinks that Bingham is still the team to beat in Class 5A, but don't discount American Fork's chances to take that one last step to the championship circle. "The more you put yourself in those situations, then you know that's where you belong," said Behm of last year's title game appearance. "They're super-excited to be back out here. They want to make their own mark in 2015."

BIG SHOES

A rare luxury it is to have a returning quarterback in the high school ranks that started every game from the season before and racked up over 3,000 yards through the air. But American Fork has it in Smith, who has "put on 15-to-20 pounds of good muscle," according to coach Aaron Behm. Smith tossed 20 touchdowns in 2014 and nine interceptions. "His arm is as strong as ever," Behm said.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH: 1

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Tanner Smith 229-414-3188 yds, 20 TDs

Rushing: Nate Honey 69-463 yds, 4 TDs

Receiving: Coleson Worley 42-945 yds, 10 TDs

Tackles: Nate Honey 114

Sacks: Nate Honey 6

Interceptions: Scott Hughes 6

2014 RANKINGS

Offense

Scoring: 34.6 ppg (2nd in Region 4) (6th in 5A)

Rushing: 156.4 ypg (3rd in Region 4) (13th in 5A)

Passing: 239.6 ypg (1st in Region 4) (5th in 5A)

Total: 396.0 ypg (2nd in Region 4) (4th in 5A)

Defense

Scoring: 18.4 ppg (1st in Region 4) (6th in 5A)

Rushing: 100.5 ypg (1st in Region 4) (5th in 5A)

Passing: 169.6 ypg (4th in Region 4) (19th in 5A)

Total: 270.1 ypg (1st in Region 4) (5th in 5A)

COACHING BIO

Name: Aaron Behm, 6th year

Record: 28-27

Career Record: 28-27

Alma mater: Grant H.S. (Fox Lake, IL), Trinity International University

PROJECTED STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB: Tanner Smith (6-3, 200, Sr.)

RB: Nate Honey (6-1, 185, Sr.)

RB: Brandon Bowen (6-1, 200, Jr.)

WR: Coleson Worley (5-11, 175, Sr.)

OT: Michael Richardson (6-5, 255, Jr.)

OG: Jake Smith (5-10, 230, Jr.)

C: Chad Lund (6-1, 220, Sr.)

OG: Landon Stuart (5-10, 230, Sr.)

OT: Ty Peterson (6-4, 205, Sr.)

TE: Austin Griffith (6-4, 195, Sr.)

TE: Garrett Purvis (6-3, 190, Sr.)

DEFENSE

DE: Michael Richardson (6-5, 255, Jr.)

DT: Jake Smith (5-10, 230, Jr.)

DT: Chad Lund (6-1, 220, Sr.)

DE: Garrison Spencer (5-9, 195, Sr.)

OLB: Austin Griffith (6-4, 195, Sr.)

ILB: Nate Honey (6-1, 185, Sr.)

OLB: Garrett Purvis (6-3, 190, Sr.)

CB: Coleson Worley (5-11, 175, Sr.)

CB: Dylan Christensen (5-9, 150, Sr.)

S: Scotty Hughes (5-10, 165, Sr.)

S: Josh Bailey (5-11, 185, Sr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK-P: Jacob Whitehead (6-4, 180, Sr.)

PR: Coleson Worley (5-11, 175, Sr.)

PR: Christian Snowden (5-9, 160, Jr.)

2015 SCHEDULE

Aug. 21 Hunter, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 at Highland (ID), 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 at Brighton, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 Westlake, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 Corner Canyon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Lehi, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Lone Peak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 Herriman, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 Riverton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Pleasant Grove, 7 p.m.