If you like change, you will like 2011 Prep Sports in Utah with all of the new region realignments. Say goodbye to six 5A teams as they depart to 4A. Welcome back Lehi to 5A. Also say so long to the nine member Region 1 as Davis, Fremont, Layton, Northridge, Syracuse and Weber remain in the northern most region. The “SEC” of 5A might be the southern most region in 5A with American Fork, Bingham, Lehi, Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove and Riverton. Strength, power and many championships highlight this region in both boys and girls sports. Did I say Bingham is in the region? The most interesting region could very well be 3 as Alta, Brighton, Copper Hills, Cottonwood, Jordan and West Jordan. All can be good, but who will be? This one will be fun to watch. Finally, Region 2 could be the “black and blue” division in football with Granger, Hunter, Kearns, Taylorsville, Viewmont and West.

4A will welcome from 5A Roy in Region 5, Clearfield and Cypress in Region 6, Herriman, Hillcrest and Skyline in Region 7. It will be fun to watch what happens with the Skyline Eagles in 4A, especially in football and basketball. Same for girls basketball. Region 8 is appropriately numbered as there are eight teams vying for the Region Championships, all down in Utah County.

3A will welcome Payson and Spanish Fork from the 4A ranks. Spanish may make the biggest initial impact of the two. Juan Diego and Judge in Region 10 will continue their fierce rivalry. Add Park City, Uintah, Union and Wasatch and the teams will be on the road all year. Frequent bus miles for this group! Good news is the funky 3A-4A Region 9 is gone with teams splitting to their respective levels.

2A’s fun Region to watch may very well be 13 with North Summit, South Summit, Rowland Hall, Waterford and Maeser Prep. Not too sure about the others but we will cover them from time to time.

1A are some of Amy’s favorite schools to cover so I will leave this one for her!

You can check out the links page on www.theprepfan.com for all of the Region alignments and high school links. If there is a link that is wrong or missing to your school, please email it to me at rick@theprepfan.com

It is sure to be another great year of prep sports in Utah and it is an honor for us to cover it with the 9th season of The Prep Fan.

Rick