It’s a toss-up to determine which Region 9 school has started in the more impressive fashion this season.
You have the Tigers of Hurricane with three very impressive wins over 3A Tooele, 4A Skyline, and 5A West Jordan, and you have the Flyers of Dixie High, who have scored 149 points in three games, while only surrendering 45. They’ve only given up 10 points in the last two games combined.
This week we will start with the good news:
Hurricane Tigers (3-0):
Hurricane 52, Tooele 7
The Good News:
The Tigers dominated the Buffaloes of Tooele on both sides of the ball Friday night, for the inaugural game at the new Tiger Stadium in Hurricane. It seemed as though running back Brian Scott was invisible to the Tooele defense, rushing 11 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Tiger quarterback Zac Prince threw for 63 yards on 5-for-8 passing, including one touchdown pass to Westen Yardley.
Despite it being an offensive outburst, scoring 49 points through the first three quarters of play, the Tiger defense is what really herded up the Buffalo. Kevin Mortensen led the defense with seven tackles.
The Tigers are off to the start they expected, and should have no problem keeping that momentum rolling this Friday as they host 0-3 Cedar.
Dixie Flyers (3-0):
Dixie 49, Uintah 3
The Good News:
The good news for the Dixie Flyers can be broken down in two words: Blake Barney. Barney is off to an incredible start this season, already throwing for nine touchdowns, and no interceptions. Last season Barney finished with 10 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He is averaging 257.7 yards though the air, and a pass completion percentage of .667.
But Barney is not alone in this high powered Flyer offense. He has a vast array of weapons at his disposal, from running backs Justin Cummings, who rushed for 95 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns, to Tanner Webster who carried 10 times for 61 yards and one score. Kyle Hansen caught two passes for 43 yards and one touchdown Friday night.
The Flyer defense is making a name for itself, being equally as impressive as the offense, only allowing ten points in the last two games combined. Justin Cummings finished Friday night with five tackles and one sack, while Deven Brady has 5 tackles and an interception.
The Flyers will face their toughest opponent since week one’s overtime win against Springville this Friday when they head to Pine View to face the 2-1 Panthers.
Canyon View Falcons (2-0):
Week 3 Bye
The Good News:
After taking the week off, the Falcons will resume play this weekend at Desert Hills. The Falcons should be well rested, and have had enough time to make any alterations after their first two games. They will have to come in to this week’s game with a high level of confidence, because despite winning their last two games, the Thunder are still upset about their week one loss to Syracuse.
Pine View Panthers (2-1):
Pine View 34, Salem Hills 11
The Good News:
The Panthers seem to be gaining momentum every week, and after week three’s win at Salem Hills, their focus is aimed at the high-flying Dixie offense. The Panther offense was led by freshman Kody Wilstead Friday night. He completed 8-of-14 passes for two touchdowns and one interception. Jake Arslanian was all over the field for the Panthers on Friday. He caught seven passes for 200 yards including two touchdowns. He also returned a 70-yard punt to the house.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ty Matavao had a stellar game with 11 tackles and one sack. Austin Gibbs had two interceptions to go along with his four tackles.
The Panther defense will certainly have their hands full this weekend as they welcome the undefeated Dixie Flyers to Panther Stadium. This contest has ‘game of the season’ potential written all over it.
Desert Hills Thunder (2-1):
Desert Hills 46, North Sanpete 14
The Good News:
The Thunder are rolling now after their disappointing loss to the Syracuse Titans in week one. Defense was the key in Friday night’s convincing win against North Sanpete. Peter Brown registered 12 tackles for Desert Hills. The Thunder only gave up 142 yards of total offense in the game. They took a 40-7 lead into the locker room at the half and never looked back.
The offense was equally impressive. Mike Needham was a nightmare for the North Sanpete defense, rushing for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Needham also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Porter Harris completed seven of his 11 passes for 97 yards.
Friday’s home game against the 2-0 Falcons of Canyon View will be a good opportunity for both of these teams to prove how good they really are.
Cedar Redmen (0-3):
Cedar 20, Skyline 21
The Bad News:
Talk about a tragedy. The Redmen matched Skyline point for point, until the very end of the game, when Cedar missed their final extra point attempt. The offenses were neck and neck the entire game. Skyline had 263 yards of offense while Cedar had 272. But in the end, Cedar High came up short again.
The Redmen look to finally get a W on the board this Friday when they head to the newly revamped Tiger Stadium in Hurricane.
Snow Canyon Warriors (0-2):
Week 3 Bye
The Good News:
The Warriors of Snow Canyon got a much needed week off to help them reevaluate things heading into this week’s matchup with North Sanpete. The good news for the Warriors is that Desert Hills ran over North Sanpete last week. The bad news, you know that North Sanpete will come to battle, they don’t want to lose two home games in a row to Region 9 opponents.
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Region 9 is still looking very strong, with only one of its teams losing in week 3. Three teams are in the the Deseret News‘ 3A Power Rankings:
1.) Juan Diego 3-0
2.) Hurricane 3-0
3.) Dixie 3-0
4.) Pine View 2-1
5.) Judge Memorial 3-0
