No. 8 Park City at No. 1 Ridgeline
When No. 1 Ridgeline (11-0) hosts No. 8 Park City (7-4) in the 4A quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Friday, it will be a rematch of an early-season contest that heavily favored the RiverHawks.
Ridgeline dominated that August meeting 39-3, establishing themselves as 4A title favorites before proceeding to run the table through the regular season and into the playoffs.
The RiverHawks have been virtually unstoppable this season, averaging an eye-popping 51.7 points per game while allowing just 11.5. Their dominance continued in the second round with a 73-14 dismantling of East that showcased their explosive offense and suffocating defense.
Quarterback Nate Dahle has been the catalyst for Ridgeline’s offense, completing 68.6% of his passes for 2,804 yards and 45 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His favorite target, Graham Livingston, has 67 receptions for 1,111 yards and 15 touchdowns, including two scores in their previous matchup with Park City.
The RiverHawks’ ground attack features Noah Fiefia (781 yards, nine TDs) and Hudson Parry (426 yards, four TDs), giving them a balanced offensive approach that’s difficult to defend.
Defensively, Ridgeline is led by linebacker Landon Perkins (63 tackles, seven sacks) and a secondary featuring Cooper Clark (52 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions). The unit has recorded five shutouts this season.
Park City advanced to the quarterfinals with a narrow 23-20 victory over No. 9 Sky View. Kicker Tanner Pidwell, who has converted 14 field goals this season, connected on three crucial kicks as Park City held off a late rally by Sky View that scored 13 straight points in the fourth quarter.
The Miners’ offense is led by Eli Warner, who contributes both on the ground (513 yards, three TDs) and as a receiver (53 catches, 703 yards, six TDs). Quarterback Josh Hofer has thrown for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns, utilizing Brogan Price (44 catches, 491 yards, six TDs) as another key target.
Defensively, the Miners rely on linebacker Ben Souza (102 tackles, four sacks) and Wyatt Knapp (98 tackles, six sacks) to slow down Ridgeline’s high-powered attack.
Ridgeline has reached the semifinals five consecutive years, winning the state championship in 2021. Park City last advanced to the semifinals in 2023.
The winner moves on to face either No. 4 Hurricane or No. 5 Provo in the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
No. 5 Provo at No. 4 Hurricane
When No. 5 Provo (7-4) travels to face No. 4 Hurricane (7-3) for a 6 p.m. kickoff Friday in the 4A state quarterfinals, both teams will be fighting to end lengthy semifinal droughts.
Hurricane hasn’t reached the semifinal round since 2014, while Provo’s semifinal absence stretches back to 1999 — making this matchup especially significant for both programs.
The Bulldogs enter on a six-game winning streak after dismantling Salem Hills 45-6 in the second round. Provo’s offense erupted for 21 points in the second quarter alone, while quarterback Gehrig Orchard threw for three touchdowns. Defensively, Brexton Hunter returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown, highlighting a unit that held Salem Hills to just six points.
Hurricane displayed similar dominance in their 43-7 victory over Highland, winning their third consecutive game. Austyn McRoberts broke free for two long touchdown runs (50 and 42 yards) in the third quarter alone. Defensively, Tanner Matua (52 tackles, five sacks on the season) and Jaxon Winegar (54 tackles, two interceptions) spearheaded a Tiger defense that suffocated Highland.
Provo’s high-powered offense averages 37.1 points per game behind Orchard’s 2,442 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. His primary target, Ronnie Wright, has been nearly unstoppable with 71 catches for 1,341 yards and 15 touchdowns. Defensively, Teave Brown (62 tackles) and Julius Pan (47 tackles) anchor the Bulldogs’ unit.
Hurricane counters with a ground-heavy attack averaging 32.4 points per game. The Tigers feature McRoberts (1,080 yards, 12 TDs) and Brody Jacobs (870 yards, eight TDs) carrying the load. Quarterback Dylan Gabriel adds versatility with 640 rushing yards and 1,101 passing yards, connecting frequently with CJ Trump (17 catches, 412 yards, seven TDs).
The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either No. 1 Ridgeline or No. 8 Park City.
No. 7 Stansbury at No. 2 Crimson Cliffs
Two-time defending 4A state champion Crimson Cliffs (9-1) continues its quest for a third consecutive title when it hosts No. 7 Stansbury (9-2) in the quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Friday.
The second-seeded Mustangs have been a dominant force again this season, riding a nine-game winning streak and showcasing the same championship pedigree that has made them 4A’s premier program. Their only setback came against 6A power Lone Peak in the season opener.
Crimson Cliffs dispatched Timpanogos 48-27 in last week’s second-round matchup, with running back Van Dailey delivering a monster performance that included 18 carries for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Tanoai Andresen added to the offensive fireworks with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Briton Phillips.
Stansbury advanced with a thrilling 49-42 victory over Mountain Crest in the second round. Quarterback Brighton Reutzel powered the Stallions’ offense with four touchdown passes and a 26-yard touchdown run that proved crucial in the final quarter.
The Stallions’ offense has been explosive all season, averaging 41.2 points per game behind Reutzel’s 2,818 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. His primary targets have been Lael Rhodes (62 catches, 938 yards, 13 TDs) and Boston Rowley (33 catches, 732 yards, seven TDs).
Defensively, Stansbury relies on Ben Joyce (69 tackles), Cole Tincher (62 tackles, four sacks) and Colton Daynes (62 tackles, five interceptions) to lead a unit allowing 23.8 points per game.
Crimson Cliffs counters with an offense averaging 34.9 points per game. Dailey has amassed 900 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while Andresen has thrown for 1,531 yards and 26 touchdowns. Jaxson Holt (57 catches, 768 yards, 12 TDs) and Phillips (24 catches, 421 yards, nine TDs) provide reliable targets.
The Mustangs’ defense, surrendering just 20.1 points per game, is anchored by Diedrick Moore (70 tackles, two sacks), Nathan Ence (64 tackles) and Major Stokes (52 tackles, nine sacks).
These teams met last season with Crimson Cliffs edging Stansbury 24-21 in a regular-season contest.
The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either No. 11 Skyline or No. 14 Green Canyon.
No. 14 Green Canyon at No. 11 Skyline
When No. 14 Green Canyon (7-5) visits No. 11 Skyline (9-3) for a 6 p.m. kickoff Friday in the 4A quarterfinals, it will be a matchup few expected to see this deep in the playoffs.
Both teams pulled off impressive upsets in the second round over higher-seed Region 9 teams, with Green Canyon stunning No. 3 Snow Canyon 23-20 and Skyline downing No. 6 Pine View 21-14.
The Eagles have been one of the state’s most explosive offenses, averaging 37.5 points per game behind dual-threat quarterback Xavier Cocci. The senior signal-caller has accumulated 3,505 passing yards with 26 touchdowns while adding 694 rushing yards and 19 scores on the ground.
In Skyline’s second-round victory, Cocci connected with Alex Brown for a decisive seven-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Brown, who has 40 receptions for 817 yards and six touchdowns this season, has been Cocci’s favorite target along with deep-threat Sione Tupua (27 catches, 876 yards, eight TDs).
The Eagles’ ground attack features 1,000-yard rusher Jonah Mailei (1,109 yards, nine TDs), who delivered a 70-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter against Pine View.
Defensively, Skyline has been led by Peyton Carter (72 tackles, three sacks) and David Campbell (57 tackles, three sacks, one interception), who anchored a unit that held Pine View’s high-powered offense to just 14 points in the second round.
Green Canyon counters with a defense that has recorded three shutouts this season and allows 19.3 points per game. The Wolves’ defensive standouts include Eli Wheatley (102 tackles, 13 sacks), Sawyer Rainey (93 tackles, five sacks) and Bryson Pabst (85 tackles, six interceptions).
The Wolves’ upset over Snow Canyon was sparked by Hayden Schramm’s crucial 38-yard touchdown reception from Ethan Munk in the second quarter. Munk has thrown for 1,282 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, with Schramm (51 catches, 719 yards, four TDs) and Cody Edelmayer (32 catches, 502 yards, six TDs) as his primary targets.
Skyline is seeking its first semifinal appearance since 2008, while Green Canyon last reached the semifinals in 2023.
The winner advances to face either No. 2 Crimson Cliffs or No. 7 Stansbury at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.