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Class 4A
There weren't too many surprises in the first round of the 4A playoffs. The biggest surprise was the way East dominated No. 5 Westlake on the Thunder's home field. But knowing how good East has been this season the fact that they won wasn't that much of a surprise. Mountain View almost pulled off a shocking upset but Spanish Fork found a way to survive the upset. The fact that so many top seeds have advanced to the quarterfinals should make for some great matchups this weekend.
I went 7-1 with my first round picks in 4A and even had the final score in the Highland/Box Elder game. Here is a look at each 4A matchup along with a prediction for each game.
Timpview Thunderbirds (10-0) at Springville Red Devils (9-1), Friday 3:30 p.m.
The way the Springville Red Devils have responded to the death of their teammate Brandon Curtis has been one of the best stories of the year in high school football. This team is playing with a purpose and they have been inspired every game by his memory. They start every game with a cheer that says "For Brandon". This team might have more to play for emotionally than any other team in 4A. They will need that emotion on Friday as they host the 4-time defending state champion in a quarterfinal matchup.
Timpview is an overwhelming favorite to win their 5th consecutive state title. Only the Skyline teams from 1995 to 1999 have pulled off such a feat in Utah history. They haven't been as dominant and talented as the Timpview teams of the past yet they are undefeated and favored to win again. Quarterback Christian Covey has had an outstanding season leading the offense. He has three talented receivers to throw the ball to in Ricky Shumway, Josh Warner, and Zach Van Leeuwen. The backfield is solid with Bryson Mackenzie and Josey Trammel. Defensively they are led by BYU commit Colby Jorgensen an they give up just 16 points per game. They have size along the line of scrimmage as well as speed, which is why they have dominated their opponents this season.
Springville also has talent. Quarterback Steve Bate is just a junior but he plays like a senior. He has 28 touchdown passes this season and 13 of them have been caught by Jaylon Miyasaki. Marcus Case has rushed for 1,237 yards and 19 touchdowns. They are undersized on the line of scrimmage but they hit hard and make plays.
These teams finished at No.1 and No. 2 in the final KSL Coaches' Poll yet they meet in the Quarterfinals. It's a shame this game is being played so early but it should make for a great game. I believe this game will be more competitive than one might think. Remember, the Red Devils are playing for something more than just a state title while this Timpview team is not as good as the last four.
Prediction: Timpview 42 Springville 35
Spanish Fork Dons (7-3) at Bountiful Braves (8-3), Friday 4 p.m.
The Bountiful Braves exorcised some demons last week. They took care of business in a first round playoff game after being first round upset victims the previous two seasons. Now they face their next challenge. They haven't reached the semifinals since they won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. The Braves have been dominant the last three weeks giving up just 7 points a game while scoring 46 per game. Their defense is the catalyst and recently has been their best offense. They forced six turnovers against Orem and scored two defensive touchdowns against Olympus the week before.
Spanish Fork is very fortunate to be playing this week. I witnessed every down of their 56-48 triple overtime win over Mountain View in the first round. You can look at it from two different angles. The glass half full angle would tell you that the Dons showed a tremendous amount of poise under pressure and responded every time they faced adversity in that game. Their explosive offense came up clutch and the defense got the stops when they needed them to win the game. The glass half empty angle would ask why they would allow themselves to get in that position in the first place. They had defeated the Bruins 30-13 earlier in the season on the Bruins home field. Why did they struggle with them on their own field with so much on the line? And what does it say about their chances against Bountiful?
This is a week two rematch of a game played in Spanish Fork and won by Bountiful 10-7. The Braves won that game with their defense stopping the Dons three times in the red zone, which allowed them to hold on for the win. You can expect a similar type of game and a similar result this time in Bountiful.
Prediction: Bountiful 17 Spanish Fork 14
East Leopards (8-2) at Mountain Crest Mustangs (8-2), Friday 4 p.m.
It seems like Alex Kuresa has been the quarterback at Mountain Crest for a decade. While it hasn't been that long it's rare to see a kid in any program, let alone one as successful as Mountain Crest, start at quarterback for four years. That is exactly what Kuresa has done and he has broken a number of state records in the process. The one thing that eludes him is a state title. Now a senior he and his teammates are just three wins away from winning a state championship. The Mustangs advanced easily in the first round defeating Payson 52-6 but from here the road gets very difficult.
The East Leopards started the season 6-0 and have made a dramatic turnaround under 1st year head coach Brandon Matich. They won just once in 2009. After that hot start the leopards lost two of their last three games to close out the regular season and critics started to say that opposing teams had finally figured out how to defend their triple option attack. Then East pounded 5th ranked Westlake in Saratoga Springs last Friday 48-24, a game in which they actually led 41-7, and now it looks like Leopards have the best chance to challenge Timpview for the 4A state title. They have two 1,000-yard rushers in quarterback Tanner Curtis and running back Liti Molisi. They are big and physical up front and will enjoy a size advantage over the Mustangs on Friday.
It wouldn't be a surprise if East won this game. They have the talent to get it done. It's just tough to bet against one of the greatest prep quarterbacks this state has ever seen. Kuresa has never failed to reach the semifinals in his four years as a starter and it's hard to imagine him falling short as a senior. Reaching the semifinals for another clash with Timpview seems to be his destiny.
Prediction: Mountain Crest 42 East 35
Highland Rams (7-4) at Pine View Panthers (7-3), Saturday 1 p.m.
While sports fans across the country will be watching the 5th ranked Utah Utes host 3rd ranked TCU in the biggest college football game of the year, the Highland Rams and Pine View Panthers will be playing for a spot in the semifinals that will take place in that very stadium.
The Rams have been difficult to figure out this season. They have some very impressive wins. They beat Lone Peak in week 3, a team with a legitimate shot at reaching the 5A Championship game. They also knocked off Region 6 champ Bountiful by two touchdowns and East by four touchdowns. Mixed in with those big wins are some poor performances. Mountain Crest and Hunter blew them out. They lost region games to Olympus and Woods Cross, a team that didn't even qualify for the postseason. If the team that knocked off Lone Peak shows up Saturday in St. George then the Rams will reach the semifinals for the 5th time since 2000. If the other team shows up you know what that will mean. They seem to have found their groove the last two weeks thanks to the play of junior quarterback Shaky Smithson. He passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns in their first round playoff win over Box Elder. If he can continue to connect with wide receiver and Utah commit Nate Fakahafua it could be a long day for the Panthers.
Pine View is very young and inexperienced but that isn't the case at the quarterback position. Senior Alec Mecham is a duel threat at the quarterback position for the Panthers. He has thrown for 18 touchdowns and ran for 13 more. He needs to have a big day if the Panthers have any hope of continuing what could be their last season in 4A. He does have weapons to work with. Prentiss Miller is a 1,000-yard rusher while receiver Connor Murdock has 66 catches for 940 yards and 7 touchdowns.
There is a little history between these two schools. Some Rams still remember when the Panthers ended their season in the 2008 quarterfinals by a 10-7 score. They look to have the talent it takes to overcome the long bus ride and exact revenge on Saturday.
Prediction Highland 31 Pine View 21
