Whoever said "come playoff time, you can throw records out the window," probably coached Utah high school football. Despite entering postseason play with 9-0 records, five coaches believe it.
"I think the reason cliches stand is because they are usually true," said Rich coach Jerre Holmes, whose Rebels can tie a state record for most consecutive victories with a 1A semifinal win over Milford Saturday.Entering this weekend's playoffs, Rich, East, Snow Canyon, Morgan and North Sevier are the only unbeaten squads among the state's 87 football-playing schools - marking the first time in 17 years, however, that five teams went through the regular season without a loss.
"I like our chances. We have as good a chance as anybody (to take state)," said East coach Keeko Georgelas. "Should we walk through it (because we are undefeated)? No way. We've got to do a lot of good things."
Morgan coach Michael Grajek agrees.
"We've got to come to play," he said. "Anybody can beat anybody on any given night. (Monday) in practice we discussed that our season is over. Now we play for fun."
Snow Canyon coach Bill Jacobsen said the regular season amounts to a seeding process.
"I think all records go out," he said. "It's a short season now."
Even so, North Sevier's Craig Gladwell admits a 9-0 mark does hold special meaning.
"It's been a confidence-builder," he said of the Wolves' first-ever unblemished campaign and outright region championship. "It's been an exceptional year for us. We've been involved in a lot of firsts this year, but we've got the kind of kids that aren't satisfied."
And don't assume the 2A's only unbeatens will meet in the state finals. "That would be all right. It would be nice to be there," said Gladwell. "But I don't think Morgan and us have anything locked by any means."
Surprising outcomes have long been part of postseason play.
"I've seen teams in the playoffs get on a roll," said Holmes. "So I completely buy into the 0-0 (record theory). It's a new season."
And "there's a lot of good football teams," said Jacobsen. "A lot of parity."
Georgelas added: "This is what it's all about - playoff time. Everyone is 0-0. This is the fun part."
A look at postseason:
Class 5A
"I wish the paper could just award the trophy," Brighton coach Lynn Freestone said of his team's No. 1 state ranking. "I really do."
Unfortunately for the Bengals (8-1), there are still four games left to be played. Brighton and rankings mates Highland (8-1), Skyline (8-1), Orem (7-2) and American Fork (7-2) are among the projected contenders. Others to watch include top region seeds Bonneville (7-2) and Hunter (7-2).
"In state tournaments you have to have talent and a little bit of luck," said Freestone. "In all honesty there are about five teams that could win it."
Class 4A
For the first time since 1966, East went undefeated in regular season play. The top-ranked Leopards (9-0) have gone from doormat to favorite in a two-year span - reaching the state finals last year after 21 years of futility.
"It's been a challenge, but quite frankly it's a lot of fun," said Georgelas. "I'm proud of these kids. They've worked hard and kept it in perspective."
Defending state titlist Box Elder (7-2) and Region 8 champion Timpview (8-1) headline a pool of challengers that includes Bear River (7-2), West (8-1) and Spanish Fork (8-1).
Class 3A
"We'll be back," has been Snow Canyon's rallying cry this season. The top-ranked Warriors (9-0) reached the state finals as a second-year school in 1995 and look to improve one spot this time around.
"We've been fortunate. Our kids have played hard," said Jacobsen. "But, I think there's enough talent that seven of the eight teams can win it."
North Sanpete (7-1), Lehi (6-2) and the Warriors' quarterfinal opponent Emery (6-3) are considered serious title contenders.
Class 2A
"It's a brand new season," Morgan coach Michael Grajek said of the "next level, next step." The top-ranked Trojans are regarded the team to beat, though if history means anything - anything can happen. Region 13 champion North Sevier is also 9-0, but needed to rally three times in the final minute to remain unblemished. Grantsville (7-2), who fell to Millard in last year's final, is ranked second and could pose the greatest threat to a perfect season in the 2A ranks.
Class 1A
The Rich, as in Rich Rebels, will likely get richer.
"I'm not sure the kids understand what they can actually accomplish," said Holmes. "It's a super, super thing."
Not only can Rich secure a third straight state championship with wins the next two weeks, the Rebels will also enter the record books with 25 consecutive victories.
"It really provides a little extra adrenaline," added Holmes. "We can't have one without the other."
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Prep football playoffs
Class 5A
Upper bracket
Granger (5-5) at Highland (8-1) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
American Fork (7-2) at Clearfield (7-2) - Friday, 5 p.m.
Weber (7-2) at Orem (7-2) - Friday, 4 p.m.
Cottonwood (2-6) at Hunter (7-2) - Friday, 4 -30 p.m.
Lower bracket
Layton (3-6) at Brighton (8-1) - Friday, 5 p.m.
Bountiful (5-3) at Bingham (6-3) - Friday, 4 p.m.
Taylorsville (7-2) at Skyline (8-1) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Mtn. View (7-3) at Bonneville (7-2) - Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Class 4A
Upper bracket
Tooele (2-7) at Timpview (8-1) - Friday, 3 p.m.
Mountain Crest (5-3) at Olympus (5-4) - Friday, 3 p.m.
Murray (4-5) at Bear River (7-2) - Friday, 4 p.m.
Springville (3-5) at West (8-1) - Friday, 2 p.m.
Lower bracket
Logan at East (9-0) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Sky View (4-5) vs Spanish Fork (8-1) - Friday, 2 p.m.
Provo (4-5) at Judge (5-4) - Friday, 3 p.m.
Cyprus (5-4) at Box Elder (7-2) - Friday, 3 p.m.
Class 3A - in bracketed order
Delta (4-5) at North Sanpete (7-1) - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Wasatch (6-3) at Dixie (4-4) - Friday, 6 p.m.
Emery (6-2) at Snow Canyon (9-0) - Friday, 3 p.m.
Cedar City (5-3) at Lehi (7-2) - Friday, 4 p.m.
CLASS 2A - in bracketed order
San Juan (4-5) at Morgan (9-0) - Saturday,, 11 a.m.
Millard (5-4) at Monticello (6-3) - Friday, 5 p.m.
Juab (6-3) at North Sevier (9-0) - Friday, 3 p.m.
Beaver (5-4) at Grantsville (7-2) - Saturday, 2 p.m.
CLASS 1A - Saturday at Pleasant Grove H.S.
Milford (2-7) vs. Rich (9-0), noon
Altamont (1-7) at Duchesne (7-2), 3 p.m.