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SALT LAKE CITY - It has become clear what Region is best in 3A. Region 9 has placed three teams in the semifinals and they crushed their quarterfinal opponents in the process. Hurricane, Cedar and Desert Hills won their quarterfinal playoff games by a combined average of 27 points. Cedar and Desert Hills beat ranked teams on the road.

While it may seem a given that a Region 9 team brings a state championship back to Southern Utah Spanish Fork will have a say in that. The Dons ended Juan Diego's 13 game playoff win streak and run of three consecutive state titles with a 21-14 victory over the Soaring Eagle in the quarterfinals they won't be an easy out for Hurricane who hopes to put three straight last second losses in state title game behind them. They are clearly the favorite to win it all.

Here are the matchups in the 3A semifinals.

Hurricane's Adam Thompson carries the ball in the second half during the Tigers' 35-8 win over Desert Hills Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. The win guarantees the Tigers as the No. 1 seed from Region 9 for the 3A state playoffs. (Samantha Clemens, The Spectrum)

Hurricane (11-0) vs. Spanish Fork (9-3), Thurs., 6:30 p.m.

First meeting between Hurricane and Spanish Fork
Players to watch: - Brian Scott RB Hurricane

Adam Thompson RB Hurricane
Hayden Nielsen QB Spanish Fork
Christian Taele RB Spanish Fork

Three time defending state champion Juan Diego no longer stands in the way of Hurricane winning their first state title.

After three consecutive losses in the championship game Hurricane is the clear favorite to win it all. The Tigers run game has helped them dominate their opponents. They score 41 points per game while their strong physical defense has held opponents to just 13 points per game.

The player to watch for Hurricane is Running Back Brian Scott. The champion wrestler has rushed for 1,310 yards and a state best 25 touchdowns. He is the catalyst for the Tigers power run game.

While the Tigers won't have to face Juan Diego, they will have to face the team that just beat the soaring Eagle on the road in the Semifinals. Spanish Fork scored 21 unanswered points to upset the reigning champs. The offense, led by 3 year starting quarterback Hayden Nielsen, has averaged 33 points per game. The Dons have played a tough schedule and won't be intimidated by Hurricane.

The player to watch for Spanish Fork is Christian Taele. The running back has rushed for 1403 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He is also a skilled receiver out of the backfield.

It would be easy to pencil in Hurricane into the state championship game but the Tigers won't overlook Spanish Fork who just did something they couldn't do in three tries. Beat Juan Diego.

KSL Prediction: Hurricane 35 Spanish Fork 28

Spanish Fork quarterback Hayden Nielson makes a pass against American Fork High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)

Cedar (6-5) vs. Desert Hills (8-3), Fri., 5 p.m. at Dixie State College

Cedar leads series with Desert Hills 4-0
Players to watch: - Mike Needham RB Desert Hills

John Ursua QB Cedar

The other 3A semifinal is an all-Region 9 contest. Desert Hills and Cedar will face off in a rematch from week 9 that Cedar won 48-20.

Desert Hills was ranked as high as No. 2 this season before the injury bug hit the team in the final two weeks of the regular season. Even with the injuries the thunder are dangerous and may be the most athletic team in 3A.

The player to watch for Desert Hills is running back Mike Needham. He has rushed for 1,092 yards and 14 touchdowns this season including 6 games with 100 or more yards. Cedar started the season 0-4 but the lessons learned from playing American Fork, Highland, Skyline and Hurricane made them a better team. They have won 6 of their last 7 games including an impressive road win in the quarterfinals against 3rd ranked Delta.

The player to watch for the Redmen is quarterback John Ursua. The transfer from Westlake has become more comfortable in the offense and has started to make the same miraculous plays that made him a star player as a junior. He has rushed for 928 yards and 12 touchdowns. This southern Utah battle moved from Rice-Eccles Stadium to Dixie State College at 5pm on Friday.

KSL Prediction: Cedar 21 Desert Hills 14

Email: jjensen@ksl.com

Twitter: @JJSportsBeat