The 3A classification for boys soccer is loaded this year after a realignment that saw some very good teams move down from 4A and more good teams move up from 2A.

Here’s an alphabetical look at the four Region 13 boys soccer teams in Northern Utah.

BEN LOMOND

Last year was the first year for head coach Torrey Sasaki, so the team seems positioned to improve now that it’s in the second year of a new system. The Scots went 6-8 in 2021 against exclusively 4A, 5A and 6A schools.

In theory, the drop to 3A should help Ben Lomond. Sasaki isn’t calling his team a region favorite just yet, but said BL could be in the mix if things fall correctly for the team.

Returning starters and contributors are senior defenders Javier Aguilar and Eric Gallegos, junior midfielder Bryan Solis and sophomore forward Kevin Augilar.

LAYTON CHRISTIAN

Layton Christian is another new team in Region 13 and, unless things have drastically changed, the Eagles should be very good at boys soccer.

They typically field a team of mostly international players (if not entirely international) with a strong Brazilian contingent.

Layton Christian is just one of several teams in 3A that make for a deep classification, along with Ogden, Morgan (2021 3A runner-up), Judge Memorial (2021 3A champion), Juan Diego (2021 4A No. 1 seed) and Real Salt Lake Academy (2021 2A champion).

LCA had a “down” year in 2021, finishing 8-8 with a playoff loss at St. Joseph. Information about this year’s Layton Christian team wasn’t provided.

MORGAN

Morgan High lost a lot of seniors from last year’s 3A state runner-up and Region 13-winning team, but also brought many players back.

The Trojans are particularly experienced on defense with returning defenders Luke Fackrell and Wyatt Grow, along with goalkeeper Tanner Stanley.

Junior attacking midfielder Cameron Burt scored 11 goals with six assists last year and is the team’s leading returning scorer.

Rory Williams (five goals, six assists) and Ty Warner (four goals, six assists) are two junior starting forwards who return, but head coach Seth Wallace said a big need for the team will be for somebody to step up and replace some goal production.

Though the region has three new additions that are anywhere from competitive to really good in boys soccer, the Trojans could easily be one of the top teams when it’s all said and done.

“The quality has gotten even stronger than years past when it was already arguably the toughest region in 3A,” Wallace said. “Ogden was a top 4A team last year and LCA has the luxury of bringing in very talented players from all over the world.  Both will be very challenging teams to compete against, but I think we can definitely compete with anyone in the state.”

OGDEN

Ogden finished third in 4A Region 10 last year and brings back key returners from a defense that allowed 12 goals in 12 games. Jose “Chito” Castellano and Lincoln Barnes are returning starting centerbacks.

“We are a very young team with high school inexperience being a weakness, but we will definitely make some noise in our new 3A region,” coach Todd Scott said.

Scott feels the defense will be solid given the number of returners. Ogden will be in need of offensive playmakers as it graduated last year’s top scorer and assist leader.

More players to watch include four-year starting forward Jace Oliverson, senior midfielder Zach Browning, freshman midfielder Luis Velasco Perez and freshman goalkeeper Boston Smith.

Scott thinks the Tigers will compete just fine in a tough region with LCA, Morgan and Ben Lomond, the latter of which, for obvious reasons, is generally a competitive game.

Newsletter