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SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time since 2007 Hurricane did not reach the 3A semifinals.
The defending state champions saw their 20-game winning streak come to an end against Desert Hills and saw their season come to end in the quarterfinals against their old nemesis Juan Diego.
The Soaring Eagle are back in the semifinals after a 1-year hiatus and look to be an overwhelming favorite to win the 3A title.
There are three other teams that say otherwise and they will get their chance to prove it starting on Thursday night.
Here is a breakdown of both match ups in the 3A semifinals:
No. 4 Spanish Fork (11-1) vs. No. 5 Desert Hills (8-3) Thursday 6:30 p.m.
Money caught 4 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns including a 65 yard score in the Dons 33-23 win over Morgan. Colton Olsen WR/DB Spanish Fork
Olsen had a big night on offense and defense for the Dons. He caught 10 passes for 99 yards and a score at wide receiver and also hauled in an interception on defense in the quarterfinal win.Nick Markosian and Chase Williams Juan Diego
This dynamic, quarterback/running back duo combined for 293 yards and three touchdowns leading the Soaring Eagle back to the semifinals.Walter Kauhaahaa LB
He led the Juan Diego defense with 12 tackles, a sack and an interception in a 38-0 shutout of defending state champion Hurricane.Chris Whetton KR Dixie
Whetton took the opening kickoff and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. It turned out to be the difference in the game as Dixie went on the road and upset the 3rd ranked Stallions.
Spanish Fork and Desert Hills both reached the turf of Rice-Eccles Stadium last season. Both hope this years trip ends with a win.
Spanish Fork had a lead last season at halftime before falling to eventual champion Hurricane in the semifinals. Now they are back with a new coach. Kirk Chambers played 7 years in the NFL after playing four years at Stanford. The Provo high grad wanted to pursue his passion for coaching and teaching and Spanish Fork needed a new head coach. It's been a match made in heaven. The Dons have enjoyed one of the best years in school history and hope to bring home the first football championship in school history. In fact, Spanish Fork has never even reached a state championship game in football. They have the talent to change that.
Running back Braxton Argyle has rushed for 1,226 yards and 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Jason Money has passed for 2,140 yards and 23 touchdowns. Receivers Cameron Money and Colton Olsen have combined for 18 touchdowns and both have a realistic chance of reaching 1,000 receiving yards.
Desert Hills returns to Rice-Eccles Stadium with unfinished business. They reached the state championship game in just the fourth year of the school's existence. After losing several talented seniors from last years team many didn't expect the Thunder to make it this far into the postseason. A triple overtime victory over Hurricane changed their season and gave them the No. 1 seed out of the very competitive Region 9. They were the best defensive team in Region 9 which helped them win the title. Brian Highland is the team leader in sacks with 6.5. Quarterback Ty Rutledge has had a monster year leading the Thunder offense. He has rushed for 1,119 yards and 14 touchdowns and also passed for 1,896 yards and 21 touchdowns. Like Spanish Fork, Desert Hills can score a lot of points on offense. They have averaged 33 points per game.
Spanish Fork already had a playoff battle with a Region 9 team in the first round when they survived an upset bid from Pine View 26-21. Now they get another test against a Desert Hills team hungry to get back to the state championship game. The Dons certainly have their own motivation on Friday. They've already made history and would love to make some more.
KSL Prediction: Spanish Fork 27 Desert Hills 24
No. 1 Juan Diego (12-0) vs. Dixie (9-2) Friday 6:30 p.m.
Since moving up to 3A in 2005 Juan Diego has missed the semifinals just twice. One of those years was last season. Now the Soaring Eagle are back to where they are used to being this time of year.
Juan Diego enters the semifinals with a No. 1 ranking and a perfect 12-0 record. Led by Cincinnati commit Dakota Cox they are giving up just seven points per game. Their most impressive win of the season was in the quarterfinals where they shut out defending champion Hurricane who was averaging 32 points per game. The defense has been so good it has overshadowed what they have done on offense which is equally as impressive. The Soaring Eagle are the highest scoring team in 3A averaging 37 points per game. Quarterback Nick Markosian leads the Juan Diego option attack. Running Back Chase Williams now has 1,055 yards this season and 17 touchdowns. The option isn't flashy but the Soaring Eagle execute it almost flawlessly. They take very good care of the football and force a number of turnovers on defense. When teams make mistakes they make them pay.
Dixie is in the semifinals for the first time since 2009. The Flyers have also lit up the scoreboard this season averaging 37 points per game. Blake Barney is a three-year starter at quarterback and has put up big-time numbers running Dixie's spread offense. He is 2nd in passing yards and touchdowns in 3A behind Wasatch QB James Delacenserie. His ability to run and pass will be a challenge for the Juan Diego defense. He is also a 1,000 yard rusher and has rushed for 14 touchdowns.
This game will be an interesting contrast in styles. Dixie will throw the ball 30 times and Juan Diego may not throw the ball at all. Dixie is capable of pulling off a stunning upset. Region 9 is the deepest in 3A. They have played some very good teams. Based on the way Juan Diego demolished Hurricane, the Flyers haven't seen a team this good.
KSL Prediction: Juan Diego 42 Dixie 21
