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TOOELE BUFFALOES

The Hurry-up — Tooele finished 9-4 overall, 5-1 in 3AA North, and lost to Dixie in state semifinals.

When it comes to football success, Tooele has had it "in patches," according to head coach Kyle Brady.

Brady was a prominent figure on the Buffaloes' last state champion during his senior season in 2002. Over the last few years, with the former grid hero now as coach, Tooele has been making a gradual upward arc, and last season advanced to the state semifinals.

In one sense though, the Brady years have ended. The last of Kyle's six brothers graduated in the spring, but the coach isn't fretting over the lack of kin on the Buffaloes' bench.

One thing that makes it easier is that Tooele brings back plenty from 2015, including seven starters on each side of the ball.

"We had over a hundred kids at camp, and they want to build on what they did last year," Brady said. "Now we kind of have a target on our back, whereas we were kind of flying under the radar before."

Quarterbacks — Don't bother looking for varsity stats for Austin Meono from last year, as he was on Tooele's freshman team. But it'll be the 5-foot-9, 150-pound sophomore that'll guide the Buffs' ground-oriented attack. "He's learning as he goes," Brady said. "But he's real athletic and smart and can make things happen when things break down."

Running backs — Tooele has an abundance of possibilities in the backfield, and it starts with seniors Lincoln Powers (6-0, 180) and Demetrius Smith (5-8, 155). Both had almost 900 yards rushing, but in different styles, with Powers, like his name, getting the tough yardage in the middle, while Smith was more prone to break off a long one. Past that, the Buffaloes also welcome back Mikey Dunn (5-9, 160), whose family moved back after two years in Texas, and has junior Jeno Bins (5-9, 180) as another option.

Receivers — In Tooele's three-running back set, only one wideout is generally on the field, and will likely be from among seniors Ethan Gowans, Carter Filion, Wyatt Steed and Matt Vigil. At tight end, two more seniors — Blake Paystrup and Cody Whitehouse — will alternate.

Offensive linemen — Two starters return to the line, and it'll be the left side that should be strong as a result. Jaren Wilson (6-3, 205) is critical to the Tooele run game from his left guard slot, while Slate Grosgreutz (6-3, 240) will line up next to him. At center, up-and-coming junior Ryan Ascarte (6-2, 235) will snap the ball, while the right side will be manned by senior Max Ross, junior Collin Lawrence and senior Zach Dean.

Defensive linemen — The Buffs are senior-heavy on defense, as every projected starter is a senior. Wilson will operate from one end position while Asi Fakahau (6-2, 220) will attack from the other. At the tackle spots, Dean (6-2, 220) is a returning starter and he'll be joined by Grosgreutz. Junior Hayden Marshall (5-10, 240) could break in as a starting tackle and fellow junior Dawson Vorwaller (6-0, 170) will see ample action at end.

Linebackers — Both Paystrup (5-10, 180) and Whitehouse saw some starting action at linebacker in 2015 and will back to man the middle of the Tooele defense, along with Zach Tso (5-10, 165) in a 4-3 alignment. Look for Bins and senior Jaxon Kinsman (6-2, 200) to be part of the unit rotation as well.

Defensive backs — Cornerback is where the Buffaloes are strongest on defense, and senior Josh Leakehe (5-10, 160) will lead the contingent. He'll be joined by Dunn, Smith, Steed and Gowans in the pool of candidates to cover opposing receivers. Powers, Vigil and sophomore Braxton Borders will line up at the safety spots.

Key Players

Jaren Wilson, OG/DE — As key as any of the Tooele runners, Wilson is "a big strong kid and moves around. We pull him a lot," Brady said.

Lincoln Powers, RB/S — Although Powers didn't play in the first two games and split time the rest of the year, he finished with 885 yards rushing in '15.

Josh Leakehe, CB — Leakehe's man-to-man ability, according to his coach, "allows us to do different things because he's so good at coverage."

Key Losses

Ryan Brady, RB/CB — Brady finished his Tooele days with over 1,000 total yards, with over 800 coming on the ground.

Ty Allred, LB — With 37 solo stops and 47 assists, Allred was in on the most tackles for the Buffaloes in 2015.

Tysen Toone, OG/DT — Toone will be missed in the trenches, where he totaled 32 solo tackles from his defensive line position.

Name To Know: Demetrius Smith is explosive with the ball and gained 892 yards rushing a year ago. "Every once in awhile, he'll make a run 20, 30, 40 yards you just don't think he can make," Brady said.

2016 Schedule

Aug. 19 — North Sanpete, 7 p.m.

Aug. 26 — Grantsville, 7 p.m. (Won, 50-6, in 2015)

Sept. 2 — at Murray, 7 p.m. (Lost 23-20)

Sept. 9 — Stansbury, 7 p.m. (Won 27-16)

Sept. 16 — at Ridgeline, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 — at Logan, 7 p.m. (Lost 21-7)

Sept. 30 — Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. (Won 70-49)

Oct. 7 — at Bear River, 7 p.m. (Won 22-7)

Oct. 13 — at Park City, 7 p.m. (Won 35-14)

Oct. 19 — Judge Memorial, 7 p.m. (Won 26-21)

Verdict: The Buffaloes' ground game will be a bear for opponents to stop, and experience on both sides of the ball will put Tooele right in contention for a region title — and maybe more.

Projected finish in region: Second