GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Cedar (0-4, 0-1) at Pine View (2-3, 0-2)
Previous Meeting – Cedar 35, Pine View 28 (Sept. 23, 2011)
REDMEN
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Todd Peacock (26th year, 153-118-1 overall)
Offense: Wishbone, Wingback
Last week: Bye (lost to Hurricane 31-13 two weeks ago)
Players to watch: TE Ryan Armstrong is the MVP of this Cedar squad so far this year. He leads the team in receptions on offense and in tackles and sacks (seven in four games) from his DE position on defense. QB Easton Weaver is the team leader in rushing with 247 yards (about 62 a game). FB Kolton Harris is averaging 5.3 yards a carry.
PPG: 9.3
PAPG: 26.0
Trend: This is the time of year when Cedar starts to get that triple-option down pat. Plus, it’s cliché to say, but Cedar is better than it 0-4 record. The Redmen played 5A American Fork tough, they were right in the game with Skyline and even against undefeated Hurricane, it was 24-13 until late in the game. Plus, the Redmen have had two weeks to get ready for this one. Oh yeah, and they hate Pine View.
PANTHERS
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Ray Hosner (12th year, 96-36 overall)
Offense: I-back and spread
Last week: Lost to Desert Hills 28-7
Players to watch: Heartbreak on defense as LB Tyker Olds tore ligaments in his knee. He’s done for the season. So down goes Olds, but back is QB Kody Wilstead and the spread offense. The Panthers hope Wilstead’s return will spark their offense, which gained just 288 yards last week vs. DH. That means guys like WRs Colton Miller, Cason Prisbrey and Jack Bangerter better be ready to go.
PPG: 21.8
PAPG: 25.0
Trend: Optimist: Pine View has played four of five on the road and still has two wins, with a bunch of home games coming up. Pessimist: The Panthers have lost their identity on offense and the defense isn’t stopping anybody. Realist: Pine View does have a favorable schedule to close the year, but getting Wilstead back may not help that much. He won’t be 100 percent, meaning he won’t be any kind of run threat. Plus, can he step into his throws on a bum ankle?
GAME OUTLOOK
Cedar has really struggled on offense this season, averaging less than 10 points a game. Pine View’s defense has been beaten up pretty bad lately (456 yards allowed last week, 448 the week before). So something’s got to give, right? Although the records of these two teams doesn’t look good right now, we expect them both to win a few games down the stretch. Plus, this game has intrigue, with the return of Wilstead and the always wacky coaching style of Cedar’s Todd Peacock. The turnover battle will determine this game.
STGnews PREDICTION
Andy Griffin (22-4) — Pine View
Jeff Ames (21-5) — Pine View