Prep football: 10 must-watch Northern Utah players to have on the radar
Bessinger, Young, other area names topping state charts
-
- Northridge quarterback Trey Nye rears back to throw against Box Elder on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Layton.
-
- Weber’s Dyson Parker (11) scores a touchdown against Davis in a 6A second-round game Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaysville.
-
- Roy running back Robert Young (5) celebrates one of his four touchdowns against Weber with offensive lineman Beau Brown (66) on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Roy.
-
- Davis quarterback Tradon Bessinger (13) rushes between Layton defenders Kanyon Loveland (2) and Corbin Erickson (20) on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Layton.
A slug of Northern Utahns have made their names commonplace across box scores through just four weeks of the prep football schedule. In no particular order, here are 10 local stars that belong on your scouting report.
• Tradon Bessinger, QB, Davis 2026
Through Week 4: Bessinger is one of just 11 quarterbacks in the state to pass 1,000 passing yards this season. The junior arm’s 79 completions for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns (with no interceptions) currently rests at No. 5 in the Beehive State. In Davis’ 40-14 win over Mountain Ridge on Aug. 30, Bessinger completed 24 passes for a season-high 425 yards and three touchdowns ahead of the Darts’ 80-0 shutout over winless Kearns last week.
This Week: Davis (3-1) welcomes in Taylorsville (2-2) Friday, with the Warriors searching for an answer to a two-game losing skid against Viewmont and Layton. Bessinger and the Darts will look to take full advantage of a Taylorsville defense that allows 29.0 points per game.
• Dyson Parker, RB/MLB, Weber 2026
Through Week 4: Parker translated 95 carries into the state’s fourth-best 585 rushing yards and four touchdowns through four games of his junior campaign. Against Wasatch (W 35-16) and Roy (L 48-34) in Weeks 3 and 4, Parker averaged 5.3 or more yards per carry. Parker’s added 263 receiving yards and three more TDs through the air.
This Week: Granger (1-3) hosts the Warriors (3-1) this week after picking up their first win of the season. Senior linebackers Tevita Kofe and Maka Sonasi are potential roadblocks for the Warriors’ run game this week.
• Robert Young, SB/SS, Roy 2025
Through Week 4: Young might be Region 5’s toughest riddle to this point. The senior has found the end zone nine times already, tallying 346 yards on the ground and another 236 yards through the air. Young posted a season-high 176 yards against Weber (W 48-34) on Aug. 30.
This Week: After running through Clearfield, Roy (4-0) hopes to remain unbeaten against region foe Box Elder (2-2). Young will undoubtedly play a role in helping the Royals realize that goal against a Bees defense featuring junior linebacker Logan Cefalo and senior end Bodee Burnham.
• Tre Nye, QB, Northridge 2025
Through Week 4: Nye’s 991 passing yards for 11 touchdowns isn’t just the best in Region 5, it’s a central part of the Knights’ 4-0 start that’s featured 200-plus yard performances in all four of the senior’s starts. Nye flashed his running ability in Week 2 with 46 yards and a ground TD vs. Layton (W 23-14) but has since leaned on his arm to get things done.
This week: Northridge (4-0) endures a tough test hosting unbeaten Viewmont (4-0) in a region battle that includes another gunslinger in Vikings senior Titan Longson (54 completions, 941 yards).
• Lincoln Gilson, WR/FS, Morgan 2025
Through Week 4: It’s tough to imagine where Morgan would be without senior Lincoln Gilson’s presence across the offense so far this season. The senior skill player has put up 373 yards and five touchdowns at receiver and chipped in another 119 yards and an extra TD on the ground.
This Week: Gilson and the Trojans (4-0) shouldn’t have any problems with Kearns (0-4) coming off a convincing 42-7 win over Layton Christian Academy. The Cougars have struggled defensively out of the gate, giving up a whopping 80 points to Davis last week.
• Tyler Payne, MLB/TE, Weber 2025
Through Week 4: Payne’s 41 tackles (12 solo) sits atop Region 1 thus far, with the 247Sports three-star BYU commit averaging a team-high 10.3 stops per game. Payne has two tackles-for-loss and an interception.
This Week: Granger (1-3) utilizes two rushers, junior Sunia Fifita (95.0 yards per game) and senior Tevita Kofe (26.5), who’ll be on the Warriors’ radar. Lancers starter Aidan Welchman enters the game as a 38% passer with just three touchdowns and eight interceptions.
• Brant Koford, MLB/FB, Fremont 2025
Through Week 4: Koford, holding Region 1’s second-highest tackle count with 33 (13 solo tackles) according to MaxPreps on Monday, returned to form last week and racked up 11 tackles against Hunter (61-13). The senior returned from a shortened junior campaign and has two tackles-for-loss and a fumble recovery so far.
This week: Fremont (2-2) has stacked two wins together after a rough start, now searching for a third at Cyprus (0-4) this weekend. Senior Britton Jepsen (18 receptions, 356 yards and four TDs) is the Pirates’ deepest downfield threat. Cyprus has lost all four of its showings by 27 or more points.
• Logan Cella, MLB/RB, Roy 2025
Through Week 4: Cella has carved out a rewarding role inside the high-ceiling Royals team. The 210-pound utility player has produced 243 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. On the other side, Cella’s tallied 37 total tackles (17 solo) and one sack through Roy’s 4-0 start.
This week: Cella will be part of Roy’s defensive scheme tackling Box Elder’s rotation of hardnosed senior rushers Jay Macias, Tyeson Hansen and Carter Buchanan.
• Preston Haney, OLB/RB, Northridge 2025
Through Week 4: Haney has stepped up his contributions within the Knights’ linebacker corps, averaging eight tackles per game. The senior’s 32 total tackles are complimented by two sacks, five quarterback hurries and 107 all-purpose yards on offense.
This week: Northridge (4-0) may call upon Haney to relieve junior Andrew Ortiz (57 carries, 247 yards) this week in a tough test with Viewmont (4-0). Knights starter Tre Nye has also added 46 yards and a TD to the rushing pool this season.
• Brecken Haynes, MLB, Bear River 2026
Through Week 4: Brecken Haynes (29 tackles, 12 solo) has been a bright spot in Bear River’s 0-4 start, leading Region 11 with 4.5 sacks and eight tackles-for-loss in four starts. The junior linebacker recorded a season-high 14 tackles against Box Elder (L 21-10) on Aug. 30.
This week: Haynes and the Bears (0-4) hold two weeks of experience over Burley (Idaho) heading into Friday’s road test with the Bobcats (1-1) — however, Bear River allowed 34 unanswered points at Mountain Crest last week.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.