SALT LAKE CITY - Every year there seems to be a team under the radar in 5A that gets hot at the right time and makes a surprise run in the playoffs. Last year it was Jordan and in 2009 it was Hunter. Layton reached a state championship game in 2007 and Skyline won the 2005 state title after a 5-5 regular season.

Syracuse may be that "Cinderella" team this season. No one but the Titans themselves expected them to stun 2nd ranked Alta in the first round of the 5A playoffs. That is what makes high school football in Utah so much fun.

No. 1 Lone Peak is the clear favorite in 5A but as we learned on Friday anything can happen this time of year. What we do know is this is a competitive group of quarterfinal matchups that should produce some fantastic games.

Here is an in-depth look at each matchup as well as our prediction.

No. 3 Bingham (9-2) at No. 4 Fremont (8-2) 3:30 Friday

Bingham and Fremont are very familiar with each other. The two teams met in last year's 5A state championship, a game Bingham dominated 30-7. While the schools may be the same the players are much different, especially for Bingham.

Very few players remain from last year's team that is considered by many to be the best team in state history but the Miners do have enough talent this season to contend for a title. Running Back Daniel Palepoi rushed for 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury. The Miners can also throw the ball with Brady Lail at quarterback and Hayden Weichers and Kalen Cantwell at receiver. Defensively they are led by linebacker Jared Afalava one of the few returning starters from last year's dominant defense.

Unlike Bingham, Fremont returns a number of starters from last year including running back Nick Vigil who has rushed for 3,146 yards and 39 touchdowns in his high school career. Defensively the Silverwolves are deep and very physical. They held opponents to just 10 points per game which was best in 5A.

This won't be a blowout like it was last year. I expect this game to go down to the final seconds. Fremont will have home field advantage and return more experience but will it be enough to knock off the defending state champs?

KSL Prediction: Bingham 24, Fremont 21

Syracuse (7-3) at West (6-5) 3:30 Friday

How many of you picked Syracuse or West to reach the 5A semifinals this season? Outside of the coaches, players and their fans the list is very short. Yet on Friday one of these teams will earn the right to play at Rice Eccles stadium on November 11th.

Syracuse stunned 2nd ranked Alta thanks to a fast, physical and punishing defense. It was the defense that scored the go-ahead score in what has to be considered the biggest upset of the season. University of Utah commit Hunter Dimick leads a talented group with 11 sacks. Linebacker Tyson Greenwood leads the team with 79 tackles. When the offense performs well this team is very tough to beat.

West is no slouch either. They scored 21 unanswered points in the 2nd half against Riverton to get their first playoff win in 14 years. The Panthers also love to play a physical style of football. Running back Eric Takenaka leads the Panther offense with 9 touchdowns but they can also throw the ball. Quarterback Alex Espinoza and receiver Taurus Dickerson have connected for 11 touchdowns. The defense is led by Semisi Afeaki who has 98 tackles this season. West is a senior laden team with plenty of experience on both sides of the ball.

With these teams being so similar it could come down to turnovers in what should be a very competitive game.

KSL Prediction: Syracuse 12 West 7

Northridge (8-3) at No. 1 Lone Peak (11-0) 4:00 Friday

The Lone Peak Knights have dominated their competition since losing to Fremont in last year's semifinals. Lone Peak is 11-0 since that crushing loss with an average margin of victory of 26 points per game. All of their victories this season were by double-digits. Their 45-24 romp at Bingham on September 29th showed just how dominant they can be.

Star quarterback Chase Hansen has been the catalyst. The University of Utah commit has put up video game type numbers this season. He has completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,200 yards, 33 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. He's been just as good on the ground rushing for 900 yards and 10 scores. With so many talented skill players around him on offense and a fast, physical defense they are clearly the team to beat in 5A.

Can anyone beat Lone Peak? The Northridge Knights will get their chance on Friday. They are coming off an impressive win over Cottonwood and have an explosive offense led by talented players. Running back David Adams has rushed for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns and also leads the team in receiving with 52 receptions for 719 yards and 7 touchdowns. Quarterback Karson Casteel has emerged as one of the top signal callers in the state passing for 2,681 yards, 22 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions.

Lone Peak averages 40 points per game while Northridge averages 30 per game. If you like high powered offenses then Lone Peak high school is the place to be on Friday afternoon.

KSL Prediction: Lone Peak 52 Northridge 35

No. 5 Jordan (9-2) at Viewmont (8-3) 4:00 Friday

Most 5A football programs would struggle if they were forced to start a freshman quarterback. The opposite has occurred this season for Jordan. Austin Kafentzis has had a season most senior quarterbacks in the state could only dream of. Since leading the Beetdiggers to come-from- behind win over Fremont in the season opener Kafentzis has turned in one impressive performance after another. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns but even more impressive was his ground game. He rushed for 1,190 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has been helped by veteran skill players and linemen which has given Jordan one of the most explosive offenses in the state.

They have also been just as good on defense which hasn't always been the case at Jordan. They held their opponents to just 14 points per game this season. Linebacker Hayden Babka leads the way on defense with 106 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 5 interceptions.

When you bring up the best defenses in the state you have to mention Viewmont. The Vikings gave up just 14 points per game as well on their way to winning the Region 2 title. Paul Tesina and Levi Hinze have combined for 170 tackles. On offense the Vikings will need the quarterback/tight end combo of Josh Staples and Haden Heath to make big plays like they did in their first round playoff win over American Fork in order to keep pace with the Beetdiggers.

KSL Prediction: Jordan 28 Viewmont 14

Email: jjensen@ksl.com

Twitter: @JJSportsBeat

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