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Syracuse senior Burke Rountree, center, races past defenders during a June 2024 7-on-7 scrimmage in Layton.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Syracuse sophomore Ledger Wight drops back for a pass during a June 7-on-7 scrimmage in Layton.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Syracuse senior Hoyt Pula high fives junior Tanner Merrill during a 7-on-7 scrimmage June 2024 in Layton.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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SYRACUSE — Mitch Tulane climbed the ladder. The former Weber State safety now runs the ship at his high school alma mater, Syracuse, after serving as defensive coordinator for six years under Michael Knight.

All eyes will be on Tulane’s answer to 90% roster turnover from a 2023 campaign that finished 7-4 (3-2 Region 1) with a 29-21 loss to Bingham in the second round of the 6A postseason race.

But Tulane is hardly the only first-year coach, and former player, hitting the scene this fall. Cody Caputo (Clearfield) and Mo Cannon (Weber) — friends of Tulane — are also seeking a strong first impression at their respective schools come Week 1.

Accepting the Syracuse job in December, Tulane said the wave of responsibility he’s endured the past few months is molding him into a better coach.

“It’s more year-round than people think,” Tulane said. “You’ve got to get helmets reconditioned, you’ve got to start ordering player packs, you’ve got to have an organized plan … There’s a lot of administrative stuff that goes beyond football and I really felt it during camp.”

Through the whirlwind, Tulane returns one of Region 1’s more promising defenses after allowing just 14.3 points per game last season. The Titans welcome back six seniors: defensive tackles Sullivyn Vedaa and Antonio Mayer, defensive end Hoyt Pula, and linebackers Mariner Richards, Zeke Stringfellow and Easton Cook.

“Our DBs, that’s our biggest question mark,” Tulane said. “During camp, we threw a lot of different combinations of guys out there, a lot of young guys in and kind of threw them into the fire. That’s where we have to do the most work.”

Syracuse’s leading tackler last season, Preston Haney (92 tackles), joined senior quarterback Tre Nye in transferring to Northridge last semester. The vacancy makes room for incoming junior Xander Garcia, who transferred in from Grantsville (25 tackles).

At this point in the summer, Syracuse holds many of the hints to field a competitive defense. The other side of the coin is replicating an offense that averaged 361.1 yards per game last season under returning offensive coordinator Braden Hamblin.

The Titans receive two key breaks up front, with senior tackle Ty Hunter and Hoyt’s younger brother, freshman newcomer Mulivai, bringing ideal size and strength to the line. The pair will play a key role in opening doors for rushers A.J. Dehorney and Ryker Van Komen, Tulane said.

“It’s the heart of the team man,” Hunter said of the offensive line. “We’re lucky that we have such a good line this year. … We’re going to have a lot more tightness and we’re going to be able to run the ball a lot better.”

Tulane has tabbed sophomore Ledger Wight as his best candidate to replace Jake Hopkins (2,876 passing yards) at quarterback. The Syracuse coach praised Wight’s growth in Year 1 and considers the 16-year-old QB a capable signal caller ready for the varsity level.

Senior Burke Rountree and Tanner Merrill will be Wight’s go-to targets this season as the Titans’ offense takes shape around a deep backfield and sturdy O-line.

“(Wight) got in the football class in January and pretty much took control right away,” Tulane said. “He’s going to be a kid that obviously we’re going to have some growing pains with being a sophomore.”

Captains have not yet been named at Syracuse, but Tulane anticipates his leaders — which votes on a small circle of team captains before or during fall camp — to emerge shortly. Fall camp begins Monday, Aug. 5.

SYRACUSE NOTES

Last season: 7-4 (3-2 Region 1)

Head coach: Mitch Tulane (First season as head coach. Spent previous six seasons as defensive coordinator under Michael Knight).

Players to watch:

• A.J. Dehorney, RB, Senior; 22 carries, 97 yards, TD

• Burke Rountree, WR, Senior; six receptions, 74 yards, TD

• Ty Hunter, OLT, Senior; 6-foot-4, 290 pounds

• Ledger Wight, QB, Sophomore; 6-foot, 170 pounds

• Mariner Richards, MLB, Senior; 57 tackles, 26 solo tackles

• Hoyt Pula, DE/TE, Senior; 24 tackles, 16 solo tackles

• Xander Garcia, LB/DE, Junior; 25 tackles, 13 solo tackles (Grantsville)

2024 SCHEDULE

Aug. 16 – @ Riverton

Aug. 23 – Brighton

Aug. 30 – @ Herriman

Sept. 6 – @ Copper Hills

Sept. 13 – Bingham

Sept. 20 – Farmington*

Sept. 27 – @ Weber High*

Oct. 4 – @ Fremont*

Oct. 10 – Layton*

Oct. 16 – Davis*

Note: *Indicates Region 1 game.

Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.