4A playoffs
Bear River at Sky View
Two region foes teams will meet in the second round of the playoffs on Friday night. No. seed 17 Bear River (4-7) will face No. 1 seed Sky View (9-0). Bear River enters the game on the heels of a first-round victory over Spanish Fork, while Sky View had a bye in the first round.
The Bears, coming off a 47-33 win over Spanish Fork, have a scoring average of 34 points per game, while allowing an average of 23 points. Led by their top rusher, Owen Olsen, who has accumulated 534 yards and six touchdowns on 98 carries, Bear River aims to exploit the Bobcats’ defense. Quarterback Owen Olsenhas completed 56.8% of his passes for 2,525 yards and 27 TDs.
The Bobcats’ closest game of the season was a 35-34 win over Bear River after the Bears missed a two-point conversion try late in the game. With a scoring average of 38 ppg and a stingy defense that allows only 20 points per game, Sky View presents a tough challenge for its opponents. Quarterback Carson Thatcher has completed 67.3% of his passes for 1,904 yards and 16 TDs, while Brevin Egbert leads the state in rushing with 1,639 yards and 24 TDs on 215 carries.
Last year, both teams advanced to the playoffs, with Bear River falling short in the first round and Sky View making it to the quarterfinals. The winner of this game will advance to face the winner of Salem Hills vs. Green Canyon.
Dixie at Park City
When No. 4 seed Park City hosts No. 13 seed Dixie in the 4A second round on Friday, it will be hoping to replicate its previous victory over the Flyers this season. The Miners (9-1) defeated the Flyers in their regular season faceoff by a narrow margin of 24-21 back in Week 3.
The Flyers (5-6) have shown resilience in recent games, winning two of their last three matches, including a 55-13 win over Logan in the first round. The Flyers’ performance has been driven by quarterback Wyatt Truman, who has tallied 1,577 passing yards and 16 TDs, and running back Sylas Russell, who has rushed for 558 yards and three TDs on 116 carries. Jacob Dombroski has been essential for the defense, with 85 tackles and one sack.
Meanwhile, Park City comes to the match following a stellar regular season. It averages 36.8 points per game, while only conceding 16.5 ppg. Key players include standout running back William McCurdy, who racked up 723 yards and eight TDs on 87 carries, and quarterback Sebastian Bodily, who completed 56.7% of his passes for 758 yards and 10 scores. Pierce Garner has been a rock on defense with his 55 tackles and four interceptions.
Park City made it to the second of the 5A playoffs last season, but lost to eventual 5A champion Lehi. Dixie was upset in the 4A quarterfinals last season. The winner of this game will face the winner of Mountain Crest vs. Timpanogos.
Mountain Crest at Timpanogos
In the second round of the 4A football playoffs, No. 12 seed Mountain Crest will face off against No. 5 seed Timpanogos. This is the first meeting between these programs since a 2012 4A playoff game won by Mountain Crest 36-6.
Leading the charge for Mountain Crest on offense is running back Dax Benson, who has rushed for 935 yards and nine touchdowns on 141 carries. Quarterback Casey Crofts has completed 58.6% of his passes for 2,273 yards and 19 scores. Wide receiver Will DeKorver has been a key target, hauling in 59 receptions for 839 yards and seven TDs. On defense, linebacker Thatcher Phelps leads the team with 91 tackles and three interceptions, while defensive lineman Kaden Hess has recorded five sacks.
On the other side, Timpanogos boasts an 8-2 record and an average of 38.8 ppg and 22.9 points allowed per game. The Timberwolves’ leading rusher is Easton Bretzing, who has rushed for 861 yards and 14 touchdowns on 164 carries. Quarterback Chase Riggs has been efficient, completing 73.1% of his passes for 1,951 yards and 19 TDs. Wide receiver Gabriel Graf has been a reliable target, accumulating 603 yards and six touchdowns on 39 receptions. Defensively, linebacker Tyson Miller leads the team with 77 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
Mountain Crest comes into the game following a 63-14 drubbing of Tooele in the first round. Timpanogos had a first-round bye, but enters the game with a four-game win streak dating back to the regular season. Mountain Crest is hoping to continue its postseason success, following a semifinal appearance last season. Timpanogos was eliminated in the first round of the 5A playoffs in 2022. The winner of this game will face the winner of Park City vs. Dixie.
Cedar City at Crimson Cliffs
In a Class 4A second-round matchup, No. 15 seed Cedar City faces a major uphill battle as it travels to No. 2 seed Crimson Cliffs Mustangs on Friday night. The Reds enter the game with a 4-6 overall record, while the Mustangs boast an impressive 9-1 record.
Crimson Cliffs’ offense has averaged 47 ppg while allowing just 11.9 ppg this season. Its top offensive performers include running back McCord Christiansen, who has rushed for 705 yards and 11 TDs on 80 carries, and QB Steele Barben, who has completed 152 of 232 passes for 2,291 yards and 34 TDs. On the defensive side, the Mustangs are led by linebacker Parker Andrus, who has recorded 50 tackles and three sacks this season. Defensive back Jace Sweeten has also been a key contributor with 46 tackles and five interceptions.
Cedar City’s offense has averaged 22.4 points per game while allowing 25.3 points per game this season. Its top offensive weapons include quarterback Everett Kelling, who has thrown for 1,744 yards and 14 TDs, and running back Tredyn Elliott, who has rushed for 311 yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries.
This game is a rematch of a regular-season matchup earlier this year, in which Crimson Cliffs emerged victorious with a 51-7 victory over Cedar City. Additionally, these two teams faced off in the 4A quarterfinals last season, with Crimson Cliffs prevailing with a 33-14 win on its way to a state final appearance. The winner of this game will advance to face the winner of Desert Hills vs. Snow Canyon in the quarterfinals.
Payson at Provo
The No. 14 seed Payson Lions (6-5) will face the No. 3 seed Provo Bulldogs (8-2) in the second round of the 4A playoffs. Payson enters the game on a three-game winning streak, including a 35-17 victory over Mountain View in the first round, its first playoff win since 1986. Provo, meanwhile, has won its last five games and had a first-round bye last weekend.
The Lions average 29.4 ppg this season, while allowing an average of 21.4 points. David Keel leads the Payson offense with 595 rushing yards and two TDs on 122 carries. Quarterback Kade Edwards has thrown for 2,005 yards and 19 touchdowns. Cooper Swasey has been his top target with 58 receptions for 1,001 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, Zayden Cook leads the Lions with 59 tackles and seven sacks.
Provo boasts a record of 8-2, averaging 31.9 ppg while allowing only 16.2 points. Quarterback Soakai Aston has thrown for 2,038 yards and 16 touchdowns. Tagai Lesa has been its primary rusher, amassing 1,001 yards and 13 TDs on 169 carries. Drew Deucher has been an offensive force with 48 receptions for 695 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, Hutch Fale leads the Bulldogs with 83 tackles, three sacks and one interception.
The winner of this game will advance to the quarterfinals to face the winner of Stansbury vs. Ridgeline.
Stansbury at Ridgeline
In a highly-anticipated rematch, the No. 11 seed Stansbury Stallions will face off against the No. 6 seed Ridgeline RiverHawks on Friday. Both teams enter the game with impressive records, as the Stallions hold a 7-4 overall record, while the Riverhawks boast an impressive 8-2 record.
Stansbury comes into the game on a four-game winning streak, and has scored 389 total points while allowing only 209 points. Leading the charge for the Stallions is their top rusher, Tyson Ferry, who has accumulated 815 yards and 11 TDs on 152 carries. Coleman Dearden has been a reliable quarterback, completing 156 of 300 passes for 2,152 yards and 21 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Luke Daynes has been a standout performer with 85 tackles and five sacks.
The RiverHawks, on the other hand, have had an exceptional season as they average 32.4 ppg. Led by their top rusher, JT White, who has amassed 673 yards and six touchdowns on 124 carries. Quarterback Nate Dahle has also been integral to the team’s success, completing 159 of 264 passes for 2,307 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ridgeline has three players with 50-plus tackles, Charlie Booth, Cooper Clark and Bode Hansen, and Clark leads all players in 4A with 20 sacks.
Both teams lost last year in the semifinal of their respective playoffs, Stansbury falling short against eventual champion Lehi in the 5A playoffs and Ridgeline losing to Crimson Cliffs. Ridgeline claimed a thrilling 28-27 victory against Stansbury earlier this season and the Stallions are surely seeking revenge. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals against the winner of Provo vs. Payson.
Salem Hills at Green Canyon
No. 9 seed Salem Hills (8-3) and No. 8 seed Green Canyon (7-3) are set to face off for the first time ever in the second round of the playoffs on Friday. Both teams come into the game with winning streaks, having secured victories in the first round.
The Skyhawks, coming off a 44-7 win over Uintah, boast a scoring average of 26 ppg, while allowing an average of 19 points. Key contributors for Salem Hills include running back Roper Kay, who leads the team with 1,049 rushing yards and 9 TDs on 159 carries. Quarterback Jedi Nelson has completed 54.2% of his passes for 1,356 yards and 12 TDs.
On the other side, the Wolves have a solid scoring average of 20 ppg, while allowing just 12 points on average. Led by running back Payton Wilson, who has accumulated 301 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 73 carries, Green Canyon aims to exploit Salem Hills’ defense. Quarterback Parker Lowe has completed 59.1% of his passes for 1,350 yards and 11 scores.
Salem Hills turned things around this year, following a 2-8 campaign in the 2022-23 season and failing to make the playoffs. Green Canyon made the playoffs last season, but was a first round exit after losing to Snow Canyon. The winner of this one will face the winner of Sky View vs. Bear River in the quarterfinals.
Desert Hills at Snow Canyon
Defending 4A champion Desert Hills comes into this year’s playoffs as the No. 10 seed and will face off against the No. 7 seed Snow Canyon Warriors in the second round of the 4A high school football playoffs on Friday.
Desert Hills enters this game on a four-game winning streak, including a 31-21 win over Snow Canyon, and capped off with a first round victory over Hurricane last week. Snow Canyon enters on a two-game winning streak, following its loss to the Thunder on Sept. 29.
Desert Hills has shown strength on offense, averaging 32.5 points per game, led by quarterback Beau Wall who has completed 65 of 115 passes for 831 yards and five TDs. Tytan Mason has been a dominant force in the rushing game, accumulating 1,645 yards and 22 touchdowns on 200 carries. Receiver Javiyen Cummings has contributed 38 receptions for 629 yards and two scores.
On the defensive side, Desert Hills is led by linebacker Jagger Shotwell with 62 tackles and defensive end Ocean Taufa with 54 tackles and 10 sacks.
Snow Canyon’s offense has been hit or miss this season averaging 26.0 ppg. Quarterback Talan Kelly has completed 148 of 293 passes for 2,316 yards and 23 TDs. Receiver Cael Johnson has been his top target, with 20 receptions for 388 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Max Reynolds leads the running game with 390 yards and five touchdowns on 68 carries. Defensively, Snow Canyon is led by linebacker Ryder Holt with 92 tackles.
Both teams are looking to advance in the playoffs after last year’s results. Desert Hills is the defending 4A state champion, while Snow Canyon looks to make a deep postseason run this year. The winner of this game will move on to face the winner of Crimson Cliffs vs. Cedar City in the quarterfinals.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.