“Perseverance always pays off.” Fourth-year head coach Casey Sutera has evidence of success that comes from never giving up. Last season he won critical late-season games and playoff games without his top two quarterbacks who were sidelined with injuries. 

Jayce Evans reels one in. (Photo David Mayfield @fortodayphotography)

“We had to win with defense and strategy,” Sutera said. 

The Bengals beat No. 1 ranked West by allowing not a single offensive point. They upset Olympus in the playoffs with stout defense. While the preseason polls had Brighton slotted to finish third in Region 6 last year, Sutera’s strategy took the Bengals to third place in state. They only lost to the eventual state champions at Rice Eccles Stadium. 

Last year’s successes are rewarded with being picked first in Region 6. According to the Deseret News poll of coaches, the Brighton High Bengals are the team to beat. Sutera’s creative comeback team, which made it to the 5A semifinals last year, earned every first-place vote from the other coaches who cast ballots. The team has nine returning offensive starters and five defensive starters. “There’s a confidence in this team that we believe we can achieve something very special,” says Sutera. “What made that team so special and so fun to coach was they just took everything in stride. We found success, we just had to find a different way to do it, relying on our running game and the defense.” Brighton allowed only 10.2 points per game - leading all 5A teams. 

Junior Ryce Palepoi is back under center to direct the offense. (Photo David Mayfield @fortodayphotography)

Brighton was awarded the season’s kickoff game on Aug. 14 against 6A powerhouse Davis. This home game is significant because it is at home in Freestone Field, it is televised and it opens the season for all of high school football in Utah. The school preseason heats up from there as Sutera challenges the best teams in the state: 6A state champions Corner Canyon in Draper and 4A state champions Crimson Cliffs in St. George. 

Among the key home games this year is the homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 26. This matchup pits region rival Olympus against Brighton and could very well determine the region championship as well as valuable seeding in the state tournament. The Brighton Alumni Committee has declared the evening a grand reunion/homecoming for all Brighton classes since 1970. Information can be found at brightonbengalsalumni.com. 

Players to watch this season include the senior captains OL Marshall Huber, DL Jaxon Nettleton, LB/SS Will Little, LB Cole Heemeyer, WR Slade Taylor. Back as key by contributors are Junior QB Ryce Palepoi and DB Dax Matheson. Underclassmen DL Sam Tauvao and RB Judah Valle bring depth and speed to the team. 

Full season schedule can be found at www.brightonbengals.org.