4A semifinal previews
Payson at Ridgeline
No. 14 seed Payson will look to keep its unlikely playoff march going in the quarterfinals when it travels to No. 6 seed Ridgeline in the 4A quarterfinals. Payson hadn’t won a playoff game since 1986 prior to beating Mountain View in the 4A first round two weeks ago. It didn’t have to wait long for another playoff win as it upset No. 3 seed Provo 27-21 in the second round last week.
Ridgeline dominated No. 11 Stansbury 52-21 to set up this unlikely clash and first-ever meeting between these programs.
The Payson Lions enter the game on a four-game winning streak. The Lions’ top rusher, David Keel, racked up 615 yards and two touchdowns on 128 carries throughout the season. Payson has primarily used two quarterbacks this year, Kade Edwards and Trevyn Wall, and between the two of them they’ve passed for 3,198 yards and 30 touchdowns, though they have been turnover prone with 19 interceptions.
On defense, linebacker Tanner Ivers leads the way with 90 tackles, while Colby Olsen has added 73 tackles.
On the other side of the field, Ridgeline running back JT White has had a strong season with 673 yards and six touchdowns on 124 carries. Quarterback Nate Dahle has been efficient, completing 59% of his passes for 2,514 yards and 23 TDs. Graham Livingston has been Dahle’s favorite target with 70 receptions for 1,100 yards and 11 TDs. Defensively, Cooper Clark leads the charge for Ridgeline with 57 tackles and a state-leading 20 sacks.
The winner of this game will advance to the semifinal to face off against the winner of Crimson Cliffs vs. Desert Hills.
Green Canyon at Sky View
In a highly-anticipated 4A quarterfinal matchup, rivals No. 8 seed Green Canyon will face off against undefeated No. 1 seed Sky View with a spot in the semifinals up for grabs. The Bobcats are coming into the game averaging 41.1 ppg, while allowing only 20.6 ppg. On the other hand, the Wolves have been one of the stingiest defenses in 4A, allowing only 11.9 ppg, while averaging 23.5 ppg offensively.
That defensive toughness was on full display in the 4A second round last week as Green Canyon prevailed 12-3. That defense has been anchored this season by Carter Stembridge, who leads the team with 92 tackles, while Collin Gibson has chipped in with 84 tackles, and Will Wheatley with 78 tackles and eight sacks.
Green Canyon’s offense is led by quarterback Payton Wilson, who has completed 59.1% of his passes for 1,350 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dewey Egan has been a reliable target for Wilson, catching 35 passes for 535 yards and eight touchdowns.
Sky View’s offense has been dominant all season, with quarterback Carson Thatcher leading the way. Thatcher has thrown for 2,115 yards and 17 TDs, completing 66.1% of his passes. Running back Brevin Egbert has been a force on the ground, racking up 1,911 yards on 241 carries and is leading the entire state with 29 touchdowns. Wide receiver Bryton Williams has been Thatcher’s top target, hauling in 59 receptions for 733 yards and eight TDs.
Sky View rolled past Bear River 56-21 in the 4A second round last week. The defense has been led this year by Easton Ballard, who has recorded a team-high 95 tackles.
These teams previously met during the regular season, with Sky View coming out on top with a 21-7 victory. The winner advances to the semifinal to face off against the winner of Park City vs. Timpanogos.
Timpanogos at Park City
When No. 5 seed Timpanogos travels to No. 4 seed Park City, it will be a very intriguing 4A quarterfinal rematch as both squads rolled to second round wins. The teams previously met during the regular season, with Park City eking out a narrow 35-33 victory.
Timpanogos boasts a strong offensive attack, averaging 38.4 points per game. Leading the rushing attack is Easton Bretzing with 968 yards and 16 touchdowns on 183 carries. Chase Riggs has been efficient in the passing game, completing 71.6% of his passes for 2136 yards and 21 touchdowns.
On the receiving end, Gabriel Graf has been a standout with 658 yards and seven TDs on 42 receptions. Defensively, Jaden Robinson has been a force with 85 tackles and two sacks.
Park City has been equally impressive, averaging 36.7 points per game. Its rushing attack is led by Elijah Warner, who has accumulated 795 yards and eight TDs on 102 carries. Lincoln Jackson has taken over at quarterback the past five games; he’s been efficient for the Miners, throwing for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns. Tyler Montzingo has been the top target for Park City QBs this year with 513 yards and seven TDs.
Corbin Towery, Blake Tabaracci and Benjamin Beatty lead a fast, aggressive defense that has been Park City’s strength all season.
The winner will face the winner of Bear River vs. Sky View in the semifinals on Nov. 9.
Desert Hills at Crimson Cliffs
No. 10 seed Desert Hills will visit the No. 2 seed Crimson Cliffs Mustangs in a rematch of last year’s state championship game. Desert Hills won that matchup last year, but it’s Crimson Cliffs that’s the big favorite to advance to the semifinals. These teams met back in Week 5, with Crimson Cliffs dominating 49-7.
Desert Hills will hope that the offensive momentum it created in a 49-33 second-round win over No. 7 seed Snow Canyon last week can carry over into the quarterfinals. The Thunder (7-4) average 30.6 ppg this year, while Crimson Cliffs (10-1) averages an eye-popping 47.8 ppg.
The Mustangs haven’t lost since the second week of the season, showcasing their dominant offense led by quarterback Steele Barben, who has thrown for 2,587 yards and 38 TDs. Barben’s top target, Tyler West, leads the team with 47 receptions for 1,022 yards and 14 scores. On the ground, McCord Christiansen leads the team with 798 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, while the defense is anchored by linebacker McKay Wright with 96 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.
Crimson Cliffs beat Cedar City 56-0 in the second round. The Mustangs have only allowed an average of 10.8 ppg this season.
Desert Hills is led offensively by Tytan Mason, who leads the state with 1,867 yards to go along with his 26 touchdowns. Javiyen Cummings leads the team with 41 receptions for 658 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The defense is anchored by linebacker Ocean Taufa with 58 tackles, 11 sacks, and two interceptions.
The winner will advance to the semifinal against the winner of Payson vs. Ridgeline.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.