GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Canyon View (0-3, 0-0) at Dixie (1-2, 0-0)
Previous Meeting: Dixie 54, Canyon View 13
Broadcast: None
FALCONS
Classification: 3A, South Region
Coach: Robby Robinson (1st year, 0-3 overall)
Offense: Wing/dive
Last game: Lost to Tooele 34-9
Players to watch: QB Koy Huxford is back again, though his dad is no longer the head coach. The Falcons have been outscored 142-24 in three games, but have actually moved the ball at times. RB Braxton Higgins has 329 yards (110 per game) and is averaging more than seven yards per carry. WR Tanner Wray is Huxford’s favorite target, though the passing game is more of an afterthought for CV. Austin Evans and Ty Hollerman have combined for 63 tackles in three games.
PPG: 8.0
PAPG: 47.3
Trend: Ugh, well the Falcons are trying another new coach in Robinson, who has had tremendous success coaching in Wyoming and Oregon (including state titles at three different schools). But so far, the Falcons are just out-manned. The up-tempo “Dive” offense has had some success, but still has a long way to go. The defense may be worse than the offense. Even traditionally bad Tooele scored 34 on CV.
FLYERS
Classification: 3AA, South Region
Coach: Blaine Monkres (24th year, 169-90 overall)
Offense: Spread
Last game: Lost to Riverton 57-24
Players to watch: RB Joseph Takau is out, so the Flyers will have to settle on a running back. Actually, it will probably be RB by committee, with Tanner Webster, Jaden Harrison and Trenton Miller taking turns. LB Taylor Strehlow had 14 more tackles last week and is in the top 10 in the state in that category. The Dixie defense will be shorthanded once again without LB Takau and DE Braxton Ipson.
PPG: 31.7
PAPG: 35.3
Trend: Riverton was big and fast. Example: After scoring to make it 23-16 with six minutes left in the first half last week, the Silverwolves scored three quick TDs to lead 44-16 at the half. It’s been a strange preseason for the Flyers, with a close loss, a dominating win and a blowout loss. With the region bye the first region week, DHS scheduled Canyon View, which will help little in determining how good or bad this team is.
GAME OUTLOOK
This game should help get the Flyers healthy for next week’s region opener at Pine View. The starters should be done by halftime (Cedar led CV 49-0 at the break). And the Falcons unique style should help Dixie get some experience on the field for a lot of the younger players. For the record, CV hasn’t won a game against a southern Utah team since 2005.
STGnews (record) PREDICTION
Andy Griffin (18-2) — Dixie
Darren Cole (15-5) — Dixie
Parry’s spread: Dixie by 62
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