GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Snow Canyon (5-2, 2-1) at Desert Hills (3-3, 2-1)
Previous Meeting – Desert Hills 24, Snow Canyon 21 (Oct. 7, 2011)
WARRIORS
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Jay Graft (eighth year, 37-38 overall)
Offense: Spread, pro-set
Last week: Beat Cedar 27-24
Players to watch: RB Mitch Phillips had another 100-yard game and was the difference-maker with two TDs after halftime in the Cedar win. He finished with 195 yards and scored all four touchdowns in the game for SC. The Warriors also seem to be gaining confidence in sophomore QB Jake Frei, who played most of the game behind center against the Redmen.
PPG: 30.7
PAPG: 18.1
Team stats: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/high-school-sports/mens-football/snow-canyon-stats
Trend: The Warriors won a squeaker against Cedar and they go from the frying pan to the fire with a big roadie at Desert Hills this week. The win at Cedar was a huge bounce-back victory after getting whipped by Hurricane, but the schedule gets tough now with DH, Dixie and Pine View in a row.
THUNDER
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Carl Franke (first year, 3-3 overall)
Offense: Spread
Last week: Lost to Stansbury 12-7
Players to watch: There are a lot of question marks now for this Thunder team, especially in the injury report. How bad is TE/DE Josh Anderson? Will WR/DB Brad Wulfenstein be able to go? Can the Thunder keep QB Ty Rutledge on the field. The senior star has taken a beating lately.
PPG: 27.7
PAPG: 16.2
Team Stats: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/high-school-sports/mens-football/desert-hills-stats
Trend: Sometimes a non-region game during a region bye week can be a good thing. It keeps a team fresh, breaks up the monotony of practice and gives the team new looks to work on. But this trip to Stansbury was a costly one for DH, with numerous injuries, a confidence-shaking loss and a bad experience. On the bright side, the Thunder hung with an undefeated Stallions team on the road despite the injuries and home referees.
GAME OUTLOOK
Both these teams have 2-1 region records, but SC’s wins have come against Cedar and Canyon View, while DH has beaten Pine View and Canyon View. The Thunder return home a bit banged up, but happy to be on their own field. The key match-up will be the SC running game, led by Phillips, and the DH linebackers, particularly inside guys Travis Lagrone and Sil Bundy. Both teams still have a shot at the region title, though SC has lost to league-leader Hurricane. DH plays the Tigers next week.
STGnews PREDICTION
Andy Griffin (29-5) — Desert Hills
Jeff Ames (29-5) — Desert Hills
Region 9 standings: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/high-school-sports/mens-football-standings
Region 9 leaders: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/high-school-sports/mens-football-leaders