GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Dixie (4-0) at Hurricane (4-0)
Previous Meeting – Hurricane 51, Dixie 21 (Sept. 16, 2011 at Dixie)
FLYERS
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Blaine Monkres (23rd year, 160-86 overall)
Offense: Spread
Last week: Beat Pine View 34-24
Players to watch: QB Blake Barney was amazing against Pine View, with 385 yards of total offense. But missing in action was RB Joseph Takau, who did not have a carry against the Panthers. We’re not sure why he didn’t play, but he may be the X factor against Hurricane. Look for WR Drew Batchelor to bounce back after a sub-par game against PV.
PPG: 41.5
PAPG: 13.5
Trend: Dixie had a very Hurricane-like second half against Pine View, going on four long drives that all ended in touchdowns. The Flyers also had a good second half against the run and also forced a couple of turnovers against Pine View. The Flyers are playing their best football ever under Monkres, but is it good enough against the defending champs.
TIGERS
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Chris Homer (11th year, 80-42 overall)
Offense: Wing-T
Last week: Beat Cedar 31-13
Players to watch: RB Keanu Stevenson is a nice change of pace to Adam Thompson and gets carries as well. But Thompson continues to make game-breaking plays, like his 72-yard run in the fourth quarter against Cedar. Of course, this is Hurricane and it’s all about the O-line and fullback Jared Edwards, who continues to score touchdowns at an alarming pace. He has 12 in four games.
PPG: 30.5
PAPG: 17.0
Trend: That’s 17 in a row now. Hurricane’s formula seems unstoppable at times: ball-control offense, stout defense, great special teams. All of that worked in the road win last week against a better-than-their-record Cedar team. If Thompson is healthy, he is quick as a hiccup and break-the-speed-limit fast.
GAME OUTLOOK
Last season these teams met in eerily similar fashion, but Hurricane made it an embarrassing night for Dixie on the Flyers own field. Now we change venues. Has Dixie matured enough and worked hard enough to change their fortune? Or will it be the same old story with Hurricane dominating? Our money is on a good game this time around. Dixie is definitely better this year. Even if Hurricane wins this one, Dixie should go far in the playoffs. We may see this match-up again in November.
STGnews PREDICTION
Andy Griffin (20-3) — Hurricane
Jeff Ames (19-4) — Dixie