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SALT LAKE CITY — Teams are clinching playoff spots and region races are starting to take shape as we enter the final three weeks of the regular season.
That produced a sense of urgency among several teams and helped produce some fantastic finishes in Week 7 of the high school football season.
American Fork and Herriman was a matchup of top-ranked teams in 5A that lived up to the hype. The Cavemen needed a 30-yard field goal by Jackson Nadauld in overtime to defeat the Mustangs and take control of the Region 4 race.
Lone Peak was desperate to stay in the race for one of Region 4’s four playoff spots. They were underdogs on the road against their rival Pleasant Grove but found a way to rally from a 14-0 deficit to get the win. Brooks Goeckeritz intercepted a pass in double overtime that clinched the victory and rejuvenated their playoff hopes.
The Dixie Flyers were in danger of dropping to 0-3 and on the outside looking in when it comes to the 3AA South race. They somehow found a way to defeat the defending 3AA Champion Desert Hills Thunder at their own game.
The Flyers defense stepped up and made enough plays to upset the Thunder. RJ Wilger intercepted a pass that clinched a 17-16 victory.
This week is sure to deliver more drama with several key match ups that could come down to the final seconds.
The top five games to watch this week:
Game Night Live Game of the Week: No. 3 Jordan vs. No. 1 Bingham
Can anyone challenge Bingham and their stingy defense? Jordan quarterback Austin Kafentzis may be the most qualified player in the state. He and his teammates will get their shot at the No. 1 Miners on Friday night.
Weber at Fremont Thursday at 7 p.m.
These two schools missed the playoffs last season. One year later, they are both undefeated in region play. Both teams hope to continue their impressive turnaround and take control of the Region 1 race with a victory.
Stansbury at Juan Diego Thursday at 7 p.m.
Stansbury and Juan Diego are both 4-0 in the 3AA North and with just one region game remaining after Thursday night, the team who wins this battle will clinch at least a share of the region title.
Manti at Juab Friday at 7 p.m.
Last year these two schools combined for 74 points and more than 1,000 yards of total offense in a game Manti won 41-33. Juab is hoping home-field advantage will help them exact revenge and take control of the 3A South race.
South Summit vs. North Summit, KJZZ, Friday at 7 p.m.
The only blemish on South Summit’s state championship season in 2013 was a loss to their rival. They want to avenge that loss while North Summit can force a tie atop the 2A North standings and keep hope of earning a No. 1 seed in the 2A playoffs.
Top five performers of the week:
Riley Ogden, RB corner, Canyon
Odgen eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark after rushing for 261 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers 42-28 win over Skyline.
Austin Kafentzis, QB Jordan
Kafentzis continues to break records. He passed Alex Kuresa to become the state’s all-time passing leader. He now has passed for 10,795 yards in his career. He had 273 yards passing and three touchdowns plus 215 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 17 carries in a win over West Jordan
Nic Smith, RB, Union
Smith carried the ball 22 times for 242 yards and four touchdowns in the Cougars 42-27 win over Morgan.
Joseph Tiatia, RB, Hunter
The Wolverine had 20 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-16 win over West.
Drew Cash, QB, and Mitch Rasmussen, WR, Murray
Cash was 18-24 for 363 yards and five touchdowns with four of them going to Rasmussen. He had seven catches for 194 yards and four touchdowns in the Spartans 42-0 win over Mountain View.
