It’s always going to be a good game when it’s two Region 9 teams. – Dixie coach Andy Stokes
ST. GEORGE — Just as defending champ Dixie will tell you, it’s never easy to beat an opponent twice in one year in any region, especially in the ultra-competitive 3AA South.
But, after edging Pine View 31-28 just over one week ago, the top-seeded Flyers will have to do just that in their 3AA quarterfinal matchup against the No. 5 Panthers Friday night in order to advance to the semifinals again this year.
“It’s always going to be a good game when it’s two Region 9 teams down here, especially in the playoffs, and there’s always a standing rivalry between Dixie and Pine View,” Dixie head coach Andy Stokes said. “The kids will be ready — they’re just trying to get a little bit better each day and they are doing a good job of keeping everything in perspective.”
Dixie finished atop its region with Desert Hills after winning the 3AA state title last year and will present Pine View, which has dropped four of its last six games, with a daunting challenge.
The Flyers flourish with their high-flying offensive attack, led by stalwart running back Tre Miller and QB Zac Harrah, and are extremely lethal.
Miller has rushed for just under 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns while Harrah has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 24 TDs and also added five more scores with his legs to anchor the Flyers.
“Oh, they’ll both be huge. Obviously, Zac, being our quarterback, he’s the first person to get the ball in play and is huge for us. He is our distributor — he’s our coach on the field. And Tre Miller is just a workhorse. If he can average four yards a carry, we’ll be all right at the end of the day. We rely on them and they handle it well,” said Stokes.
Harrah has developed quite the chemistry with his tremendous receiving corps, consisting of Bret Barben, Jaden Harrison and Hobbs Nyberg, as they have combined to haul in all 24 of Harrah's TD passes and provide Dixie with significant threats downfield, which helps set up the run game, which should make things just that much more difficult for the Panthers.
“Those guys are all best friends. They hang out together off the field, they play other sports together in the offseason and it’s really big to have — it’s larger than football. We seem to be able to connect a little better than kids that just have a connection on the field. Their friendship and love for each other has played a huge part in our success this year,” Stokes said of their electric chemistry.
Meanwhile, Pine View's offense is led by running back Kobe Topalian, quarterback Riley Livingston and receiver Steve Bangerter, who combined for five TDs in the two teams' last matchup, and can hang with the state's best offenses on any given day, which should once again make things difficult for Dixie's defense.
“Defensively, it’s just all about maintaining your assignment. For our defense, as long as every man does his job, then we’re going to be OK defensively. We have a great defensive coordinator and he always has great schemes, so as long as our kids stay within those schemes, we will be all right,” said Stokes.
Overall, both teams have potentially potent offensive attacks and will need to get after the quarterback on defense and win the turnover battle to come out on top.
The game is set to get underway Friday evening at 5 p.m. at Dixie High School.
Pine View statistical breakdown
Scoring offense: 22.6 ppg (12th in 3AA)
Scoring defense: 19.0 ppg (1st in 3AA)
Passing leader: Riley Livingston (126-255, 49.4%, 1,539 yards, 14 TDs, 9 INTs)
Rushing leaders: Kobe Topalian (181 carries, 879 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving leaders: Steve Bangerter (51 rec., 716 yards, 9 TDs)
Tackles leaders: Dillan Robertson (57 tackles), Kyle Tauijil (56 tackles)
Sack leaders: Tyler Heaton (4 sacks), Dillan Robertson (4 sacks), Kyle Taujil (4 sacks)
Interception leaders: Mason Wiley (2 INTs)
Dixie statistical breakdown
Scoring offense: 38.4 ppg (1st in 3AA)
Scoring defense: 21.7 ppg (4th in 3AA)
Passing leader: Zach Harrah (117-219, 53.4%, 2,061 yards, 23 TDs, 10 INTs)
Rushing leaders: Tre Miller (168 carries, 1,274 yards, 12 TDs)
Receiving leaders: Jaden Harrison (35 rec., 567 yards, 7 TDs), Bret Barben (28 rec., 574 yards, 9 TDs)
Tackles leaders: Jeff Martinez (68 tackles), Malachi Fakahua (63 tackles)
Sack leaders: Tyson Fisher (8 sacks), Keanu Faaumianu (5 sacks)
Interception leaders: Malachi Fakahua (3 INTs)
Felt’s Facts for Pine View High School
All-time record: 203-133 (33 years)
Region championships: 10 (1985-co, 1986, 1993, 1994 co, 2001, 2003 co, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2014 co)
Playoff appearances: 24
Current playoff appearance streak: 4 (2012-2015)
All-time playoff record: 21-23
State championships: 0
State championship record: 0-5
Most played rivalry: 40 meetings with Dixie dating back to 1983. Pine View leads 25-15.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Panther Riley Stephenson kicked a state-record 194 extra points during his career from 2002-05. … Ethan Baer tied a state record by connecting on five field goals on Oct. 9, 2014.
Felts Facts for Dixie High School
All-time record: 413-241-6 (71 years)
Region championships: 23 (1949, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 co, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1991 co, 1994 co, 2009 co, 2013, 2015 co)
Playoff appearances: 42
Current playoff appearance streak: 5 (2011-2015)
All-time playoff record: 57-33
State championships: 8 (1957, 1967, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1998, 2012, 2014)
State championship record: 8-2
Most played rivalry: 86 meetings with Cedar dating back to 1949. Dixie leads 53-33.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Flyer Lukas Hildebrandt set the record for reception yards in a state championship game with 203 in 2012. ... Dixie’s Luke Carter is one of just eight Utah prep players to return a fumble 99 yards (2004). ... The 1998 Flyers were one of just two teams to win a Tuesday region playoff game just to get into the tournament and go on to win a state championship. ... The Flyers hold the record for most two-point conversions in a game with eight (seven rush, one passing) set in a 1972 quarterfinal bout.
Ryan Love is a full-time student and has been a part-time sportswriter for Deseret News since Oct. 2012.
Follow him on Twitter @RLove7724
EMAIL: rlove@deseretnews.com