High school football: Spanish Fork Dons 2020 preview

Note: Spanish Fork finished with a 4-7 overall record in 2019 and was sixth in Region 8 with a 1-5 record. It was RPI seed No. 19 in the 5A playoffs, and was eliminated by Bonneville 14-9 in first round. 

SPANISH FORK — It’s Dustin Smith’s first year as head coach at Spanish Fork, and he is optimistic about the opportunities ahead for a team armed with a lot of returning talent and improving numbers.

Head coach: Dustin Smith

Heading into his first season as head coach at his alma mater. He’s a graduate of UVU and founded QB Elite in 2011.

Sure, Smith has had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has presented its own set of unique challenges.

“We’re still really young, with a lot of juniors who will be starting, but definitely more experienced than a year ago,” Smith said. “So that will certainly help having a lot of those same young guys return, and then we have a small, but good group of seniors. We like how the team has come together.”

Last season saw the Dons take their share of lumps, which was largely expected after a 2018 season which saw many of the top players graduate. Taking those lumps built confidence and resolve, though, which Smith believes will pay dividends in 2020, and thereafter.

“Kids are motivated and excited to put in the work and improve off what they did a season ago,” Smith said. “It was a tough year, sure, but we know we’re young and that we have a lot of upside. Kids have come out ready to work and have great attitudes, for the most part.”

Spanish Fork Dons at a glance

Coach Smith’s thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:

“They’ve been doing a lot better job than I thought they would, to be honest with you. I thought it would be more of a distraction, but everyone has bought in to follow the necessary guidelines to prevent the spread. Kids have remained optimistic that their work would be rewarded with the opportunity to play. The mental health aspect of all of it is something we’ve been very mindful of throughout. The anxiety and even depression that comes with these types of challenges is something I’ve really tried to be mindful of, along with all our other coaches, at least as much as being mindful of obeying all the safety precautions.”

2020 Schedule

Aug. 14 — at Cedar City, 7 p.m.

Aug. 21 — CEDAR VALLEY, 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 — DESERT HILLS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 — PROVO, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 — at Wasatch, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 — SALEM HILLS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 — at Maple Mountain, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 — SPRINGVILLE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 — at Payson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 — MOUNTAIN RIDGE, 7 p.m.

Spanish Fork Offensive Snapshot

Offensive coordinator: Dustin Smith

2019 offense: 20.1 ppg (19th in 5A)

2019 offensive statistics

• 7 returning starters
• Multiple offense

Returning offensive starters

• Curtis Hernandez (OL)
• Wyatt McKay (OL)
• Cade Olsen (WR)
• Tayson Reid (RB)
• Hunter Rasmussen (OL)
• Coye Burningham (OL)
• Sinclair Daine (OL)

Offensive newcomers to watch

• Morely Bennett (WR)
• Jona Turagavou (TE)

Coach Smith’s keys for offensive success in 2020:

“We’ve got to be able to run the ball better and really sustain drives. That’s the big key, I feel. We obviously can’t turn the ball over and just need to sustain drives. I feel we have a real good receiving group, and if we can run the ball okay, then the offense can become a good and productive unit for us.”

Spanish Fork Defensive Snapshot

Defensive coordinator: Harry Schwenke

2019 defense: 27.8 ppg (20th in 5A)

2019 defensive statistics

• 7 returning starters
• Multiple defense

Returning defensive starters

• Morgan Muhlestein (DL)
• Tayson Reid (LB)
• Brad Stevens (DB)
• Jeffrey Hernandez (DB)
• McCade Davis (DB)
• McKay Perry (DB)
• Isaac Peupena (DL)

Defensive newcomers to watch

• Hunter Rasmussen (LB)
• Oric Togagae (DL)

Coach Smith’s keys for defensive success in 2020:

“The strength of our defense, and really our entire team, we feel will be our defensive line. It’s a good spot to be strong at, but we feel we return a lot of really good players there. So if we can be successful controlling the line of scrimmage, like I think we can, then I feel we can be a really good defensive team.”

Deseret News outlook for 2020

Spanish Fork will be improved, but should be one year away from truly competing in what looks to be an improved Region 8. Coaches again picked the Dons to finish last in region, but it’s certainly not a given, considering the returning talent and expected improved product. It’s more of a result of the existing strength within the region, more than anything else.

Felt’s Facts for Spanish Fork

• All-time record: 383-457-20 (100 years)

• Region championships: 7 (1935 co, 1961, 1969, 1970 co, 1973 co 1977 co, 1991 co, 2012)

• Playoff appearances: 34
• All-time playoff record: 21-33
• State championships: 0

• State championship record: 0-1

• Most played rivalry: 99 meetings with Payson dating back to 1917. Spanish Fork leads 52-43-4.


Last 5 Seasons

• 2019 — 4-7 (1-5 in Region 8 – 5A First round)
• 2018 — 7-4 (4-1 in Region 10 – 4A Quarterfinals)
• 2017 — 6-4 (4-1 in Region 10 – 4A First round)
• 2016 — 3-6 (2-4 in Region 8 – Missed playoffs)
• 2015 — 5-6 (3-3 in Region 8 – 4A First round)

Spanish Fork coaching history


• 2020 — Dustin Smith (0-0)
• 2016-2019 — Preston Parrish (20-21)
• 2015 — Jordan Smith (5-6)
• 2012-2014 — Kirk Chambers (23-14)

• 2006-2011 — Matt Christensen (41-28)

• 2000-2005 — Scott Brumfield (29-34)

• 1995-1999 — Everett Kelepolo (25-26)

• 1987-1994 — Doug Snell (26-49)

• 1981-1986 — Dave Clark (21-36)

• 1965-1980 — DelRay “Andy” Anderson (79-74-3)

• 1956-1964 — Don Fuller (42-38-3)

• 1953-1955 — Thayne Stone (3-17-1)

• 1952 — Gus Black (1-6)

• 1949-1951 — Thayne Stone (6-14-1)

• 1948 — Gus Black (2-3-1)

• 1940-1947 — Unknown (16-39-1)

• 1939 — Lloyd Jacobsen (4-2)

• 1932-1938 — Unknown (20-20-4)

• 1928-1931 — Fenton Reeves (12-6-3)

• 1919-1927 — Unknown (2-15-2)

• 1918 — Mr. Simmons (0-2)

• 1916-1917 — Unknown (6-7-1)


Deseret News All-State Archives

Check out our archives of Deseret News all-state teams from 1929 to 2019 at Deseret.com.

Spanish Fork All-State at-a-glance

Deseret News First Team All-Staters the past 10 years


• 2018 — Sam Dawe, OT
• 2018 — Kaleb Lundquist, CB
• 2017 — Wei Stanton, P
• 2016 — Wei Stanton, P
• 2014 — Adrian Rodriguez, OL
• 2012 — Braxton Argyle, RB

• 2012 — Colton Olsen, WR

• 2012 — Wyatt Groves, DL

• 2012 — Gunnar Beus, LB

• 2011 — Hayden Nielsen, QB

• 2011 — Christian Taele. RB

• 2011 — Sosiua Vaitohi, OL

• 2011 — Colin Argyle, LB

• 2010 — Isaac Asiata, OL