Felt’s Facts – Week 12 (playoffs)

Last Week

The first full weekend of playoff action again emphasized the mismatches that have characterized early-round games. Of the 32 contests, 19 were decided by at least three touchdowns and only four by a TD or less.

This year, including the first-round games in 2A a couple of weeks ago, the home team has gone home happy 27 of 36 times, and, arguably, four of the nine visiting squads that won were favored.

Quarter/Semifinal Notes

Games this week pairing teams with the best-combined records: Mountain Crest (9-1) at Bingham (10-1) and Juan Diego (10-1) vs. Juab (9-2).

Just one team, Corner Canyon (4-6), survives with a losing record, while Cedar, Rich and Snow Canyon stay alive with 5-5 marks. The other 32 squads still playing have winning records.

Playoff Streaks

Bingham has now advanced to the quarterfinals for 12 straight seasons, since 2004. Timpview appears in the quarters for the 15th time in 16 years and Lone Peak is in for the 12th time in 16 seasons.

In the semifinal rounds this week, Rich competes for the 10th time in 10 years, South Summit for the seventh time in seven and Juan Diego for the sixth time in eight. Duchesne has played in the semifinals 11 of the past 14 seasons and San Juan has made the semis 21 of the last 29 years.

First-time Coaches Still Alive

Just one first-time coach, Cedar’s Josh Bennett, advanced to the next round. One other first-year coach, Andy Stokes, and his Dixie team received a first-round pass to the quarterfinals in the 3AA tournament.

Season Shutouts

Forty-three teams have posted 77 shutouts this season, but four schools account for over 28-percent of them this year. Duchesne has blanked seven opponents, tying a school record (also 2006). Bingham has also matched its school record by silencing six foes (also 1941). Kanab has shut out five opponents, its most since 1987 and one short of the school record (1975, ’76 and ’77). Diamond Ranch set a school record by whitewashing four foes so far this season.

Milestones

Highland seeks its 400th victory in 59 seasons of football. Fremont competes in its 250th game in 22 years.

Diamond Ranch (9-0) continues to set school records for best start, most season victories and longest winning streak (nine)…. Herriman (8-3) has matched its most season wins; the Mustangs also claimed eight victories in 2011, ’12 and ’14…. Sky View (11-0) has equaled its best-ever start, most season victories and longest winning streak (11) – all set in 2006…. A Springville victory over Murray rewards the 10-0 Red Devils with their best start since going 12-0, the school record, in 1985.

Corner Canyon shut out an opponent for the first time in the school’s three-year history when the Chargers blanked Olympus 27-0 last week.

All-time Career Performances

This week, Felt’s Facts recognizes several players who rank in the top-20 all-time in several career categories. Those whose teams have concluded their seasons are indicated with an asterisk.

First a look at those who set state records (alphabetically by school).

Brighton’s Simi Fehoko* (2013-15) set a state mark in reception yards (3,571) and tied the record for touchdown catches (41). He also ranks 12th in receptions (139).

Jordan’s Jeffrey Timothy* (2012-15) established a state record for PATs (219).

Wasatch’s Skyler Southam* (2012-15) concluded with the record in made field goals (36).

Other players in the top-20 in various categories follow.

American Fork’s Tanner Smith* (2013-15) ended up sixth in both passing attempts (939) and completions (515). He’s also 10th in passing yards (7,043) and 19th in total offense (7,143 yards).

Herriman’s Noah Vaea (2013-15) is currently 15th in interceptions (14).

Jordan’s Spencer Curtis* (2013-15) finished in fourth place in reception yards (3,117), fifth in receptions (181) and tied for 15th in TD receptions (27).

Maple Mountain’s Tanner Dayton* (2012-15) is tied for third in made field goals (25).

Maple Mountain’s Jaren Hall* (2012-15), whose career was cut short earlier this season because of an injury, finished 14th in passing attempts (834) and 16th in completions (442).

North Sanpete’s Spencer Applegarth (2013-15) heads into this week’s 3A semifinal ranked 10th in carries (588) and tied for 14th in 100-yard games (19). He’s 18th in total touchdowns scored (54) and 24th in net rushing yards (3,803).

Pleasant Grove’s Malik Overstreet, Jr. (2013-15) is tied for 15th in receptions (132) and for 20th in touchdown receptions (24). He needs just 22 yards to become the 23rd prep player to reach the 2,000 reception-yard mark.

Sky View’s Bryce Mortenson (2014-15) places third in TD receptions (38), eighth in receiving yards (2,491) and 10th in receptions (146).

All-time Season Feats

Several players, including some who appear in the “Career Performances” section above, find their names among the top-20 all-time for their 2015 accomplishments. An asterisk indicates the player’s team has concluded its season.

Jordan’s Spencer Curtis* finished his season by setting a state record in reception yards per game (141.36). Brighton’s Simi Fehoko* holds down second (138.00 in 2014) and third (135.91 this year.)

Curtis also finished the year ranked fourth in reception yards (1,555), seventh in receptions (92) and seventh in receptions per game (8.36).

Fehoko ended up seventh in reception yards this year (1,495), but he also holds second spot for his 1,656 yards in 2014. Fehoko tied (with 12 others) in 16th for touchdown receptions, but he also holds the state record in that category for his 24 in 2014.

Wasatch’s Skyler Southam* set a record for field goals (20).

Others, listed alphabetically by school, place in the top-20 in all-time rankings in several categories for their 2015 season performances.

Alta’s Joshua Davis is fourth in all-purpose yards (2,835), just 452 yards off the state record (3,287 by Alan Mourtinsen, Grantsville in 1997). Davis is seventh in touchdowns scored (32). Davis has scored 25 of the Hawks’ 33 rushing touchdowns, caught passes for six more and returned a punt return for another. He needs 17 yards to become the 21st Utah prep gridder to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Davis has rushed for 100 yards in nine games.

Jordan’s Drew Lisk* finished the year in the top-20 in eight categories:

• second in total offense per game (427.82 yards)
• third in passing yards per game (359.45)
• fifth in total passing yards (3,954)
• seventh in total offense (4,706 yards)
• ninth in completions (243)
• tied for 12th in touchdown passes (39)
• 13th in TDs responsible for (50)
• 20th in attempts (395).

In addition, Lisk is second nationally this season in all-purpose yards and fourth in passing yards.

Lehi’s Cammon Cooper* completed his season tied for 17th in completions (231) and 19th in attempts (396).

Maple Mountain’s Tanner Dayton* is tied for 16th in made field goals (12).

Park City’s Collin Zur* ranks 10th in reception yards per game (124.64) and 14th in reception yards (1,371). His brother and QB Spencer Zur* finished in 20th in passing yards per game (285.82).

Sky View’s Garrison Beach is 14th in completions (233).

Sky View’s Bryce Mortenson is currently eighth in touchdown receptions (18).

Summit Academy’s Justin Miller* completed his season ninth in passing yards per game (305.36) and 10th in completions (239), He’s 20th place in passing yards (3,359) and 21st (almost top-20) in touchdown passes (36).

Taylorsville’s Dane Leituala* ended the season in 17th in average rushing yards per game (182.8).

Also, Spencer Zur and Beach reached the 3,000-yards mark for season passing yards: Zur threw for 3,144 and Beach has tossed for 3,020.

Canyon View’s 2-point Conversions

Canyon View tallied a total of 62 touchdowns, yet attempted and made only one extra point by kicking. The rest of the time, the Falcons went for 2. They scored 24 rushing conversions and 12 more passing for 72 points. Xavier Stokes ran for 11 of the rushing conversions, likely a state record, although such records are not kept.

In the past, several smaller schools that didn’t have a player who could consistently kick PATs would then generally attempt 2-point conversions. However, Canyon View had an adequate kicker but chose the “go-for-2” approach as part of its coaching strategy.

After 11 Weeks, the Top-5…

Scoring teams: Jordan, 47.2; Diamond Ranch, 41.9; Lone Peak, 40.5; Canyon View, 40.5; Alta, 38.5.

Defensive teams: Duchesne, 5.6; Diamond Ranch, 7.4; Kanab, 7.9, South Summit, 8.5; Bingham, 10.2.

By victory margin: Diamond Ranch, 34.4; Lone Peak, 29.7; South Summit, 28.8, Duchesne, 28.0; Bingham, 24.9.

Playoff Matchup Notes

5A Quarterfinals (home school listed first)

Bingham (10-1) vs. Mountain Crest (9-1)

Series record: first meeting.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Bingham’s John Lambourne and Mountain Crest’s Mark Wootton.

Last quarterfinals: Bingham – 2014, defeated Herriman 36-6 en route to winning its second straight Class 5A championship; Mountain Crest – 2012, shut out Bountiful 41-0 and eventually advanced to the Class 4A title game.

Bingham competes in the quarterfinal round for the 12th consecutive season and for the 18th time in 21 years. The Miners try to reach the semifinals for the ninth time in ten years, missing just in 2011.

Current winning streaks: Bingham – 8, Mountain Crest – 1.

The Miners are 32-6 in home playoff games.

Bingham has won 35 straight games against in-state opponents since falling to Syracuse in the 2012 semifinals. In addition, the Miners haven’t been shut out in 144 contests stretching back to 2004. That’s the longest current consecutive-game scoring streak and third longest in state history. Bingham has also posted a double-digit win season for the tenth time in 11 years.

A Mountain Crest victory provides the Mustangs with its first double-digit win season since 2012 and its fifth in the last eight years.

Herriman (8-3) vs. Fremont (6-4)

Series record: first meeting.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Herriman’s Dustin Pearce and Fremont’s Kory Bosgieter.

Last quarterfinals: Herriman – 2014, lost to Bingham 36-6; Fremont – 2014, fell to Riverton 17-14.

Fremont is in the quarterfinals for the 11th time in the past 15 years and the 13th time in the last 18. The Silver Wolves last advanced to the semifinals in 2011.

Herriman makes its third quarterfinal appearance in the Mustangs’ six-year history. A Herriman victory gives the Mustangs two firsts: nine season wins and a trip to the semifinals.

Current winning streaks: Herriman – 1, Fremont – 1.

The Mustangs are 3-2 in home playoff games.

Lone Peak (11-0) vs. Roy (6-3)

Series record: first meeting.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Lone Peak’s Mike Mower and Roy’s Fred Fernandes.

Last quarterfinal: Lone Peak – 2013, defeated Alta 41-22 before losing to Bingham in the semifinals; Roy – 2014, defeated Salem Hills 28-12 and advanced to the state championship game.

Current winning streaks: Lone Peak – 11; Roy – 3.

Lone Peak is 18-5 in home playoff games.

Lone Peak has reached double digit wins for the first time since 2012 and for the sixth time in the school’s 19-year history.

Roy aims to make back-to-back semifinals for the first time since 1980-81 and for the third time in school history (also 1968-69).

Sky View (11-0) vs. Pleasant Grove (7-4)

Series record: first meeting.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Sky View’s Craig Anhder and Pleasant Grove’s Les Hamilton.

Last quarterfinals: Sky View – 2014, lost to Timpview 45-8; Pleasant Grove – 2013, lost to Jordan 62-42.

Sky View hopes to advance to the semifinals for the third time and first since 2007. That year, the Bobcats fell to Pine View in the 4A semis. Sky View also got to the semis in 1987 when it won its only state football championship.

By moving to 5A, Sky View avoids playing 4A power Timpview, which has eliminated the Bobcats in the three quarterfinal games Sky View has played in since 2007.

Pleasant Grove tries for its first semifinal appearance since 2006.

Current winning streaks: Sky View – 11, Pleasant Grove – 4.

The Bobcats are 7-6 in home playoff games.

A Sky View victory gives the Bobcats 12 wins for the first time in the school’s 52-year history.

4A Quarterfinals (home school listed first)

East (8-2) vs. Alta (8-3)

Series record: Alta leads 4-2. Last meeting: Aug. 23, 2013 – East 42, Alta 24 at East.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between East’s Brandon Matich and Alta’s Alema Te’o.

Last quarterfinals: East – 2013, embarrassed Corner Canyon 59-10 before eventually losing in the championship game; Alta – 2013, fell to Lone Peak 41-22.

Current winning streaks: East – 6, Alta – 3.

The Leopards are 12-4 in home playoff games.

East works to punch its ticket to the semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons.

Alta hasn’t been to the semis since making five straight appearances from 2005-09, winning state trophies in 2007 and ’08.

Highland (7-3) vs. Corner Canyon (4-6)

Series record: first meeting.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Highland’s Brody Benson and Corner Canyon’s Don Eck.

Last quarterfinals: Highland – 2012, defeated Orem 34-25 before falling to Mountain Crest in the semis; Corner Canyon – 2014, beat Springville 27-7 before losing to Roy in the semifinals.

Current winning streaks: Highland – 2, Corner Canyon – 1.

The Rams are 19-4 in home playoff games.

Springville (10-0) vs. Murray (7-4)

First meeting between Willy Child and Mike Richmond

Series record: Murray leads 3-0-1. Last meeting: Oct. 28, 1994 – Murray 21, Springville 19, Class 4A first-round game at Murray.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Springville’s Willy Child and Murray’s Mike Richmond.

Last quarterfinals: Springville – 2014, lost to Corner Canyon 27-7; Murray – 1996, lost to West 25-9.

Current winning streaks: Springville – 10, Murray – 2.

The Red Devils are 13-15 in home playoff games.

Springville last advanced to the semifinals in 2010.

Murray last won a quarterfinal encounter in 1980; the Spartans are 0-5 in the quarterfinals since then.

Timpview (9-1) vs. Bountiful (7-4)

Series record: first meeting.

Coach vs. coach: First meeting between Timpview’s Cary Whittingham and Bountiful’s Larry Wall.

Last quarterfinals: Timpview – 2013, defeated Sky View 45-8 en route to capturing its third straight championship; Bountiful – 2012, lost to Mountain Crest 41-0.

Timpview seeks its 16th double-digit win season in its 39-year history, and its 11th in the past 16 seasons.

Timpview is in the quarterfinals for the 14th time in 16 years and 19th time in 22 seasons. The Thunderbirds appeared in 2011, but that appearance was vacated because of ineligible players.

Current winning streaks: Timpview – 8; Bountiful – 4.

The Thunderbirds are 37-4 in home playoff games and haven’t lost a postseason contest at home since 2005. (However, Timpview did vacate two home tournament victories in 2011.)

Bountiful last made the semifinals in 2011.

3AA Quarterfinals (home school listed first)

Desert Hills (5-4) vs. Snow Canyon (5-5)

Series record: Desert Hills leads 7-1. Snow Canyon’s sole victory in the series came in Desert Hills’ first season, 2008. Last meeting: Oct. 8 (Week 8) – DH 35, SC 0 at Snow Canyon.

Coach vs. coach: Desert Hills’ Carl Franke is 3-0 vs. Snow Canyon’s Marcus Matua.

Last quarterfinals: Desert Hills – 2014, crushed Bear River 56-13 before losing to Hurricane in the semifinals; Snow Canyon – 2013, fell to Juan Diego 42-28.

Current winning streaks: Desert Hills – 1, Snow Canyon – 1.

The Thunder are 5-0 in home playoff games.

Desert Hills makes its sixth straight quarterfinal appearance and looks to advance to the semis for the fifth year in a row.

Snow Canyon hasn’t been to the semifinals since 2006 when the Warriors lost in the championship game.

Dixie (7-2) vs. Pine View (6-4)

Series record: Pine View leads 24-16. Last meeting: Oct. 23 (Week 10) – Dixie 31, Pine View 28 at Dixie.

Coach vs. coach: Dixie’s Andy Stokes is 1-0 vs. Pine View’s Ray Hosner.

Last quarterfinals: Dixie – 2014, stunned Stansbury 49-42 en route to winning the state championship; Pine View – 2014, blitzed Cedar 45-10 before falling to Dixie in the semifinals.

Defending 3AA champ Dixie aims to get to the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season while Pine View hopes to see semifinal action for the third straight year.

Current winning streaks: Dixie – 2, Pine View – 1.

Dixie is 27-7 in home playoff games.

Logan (8-2) vs. Cedar (5-5)

Series record: Logan leads 1-0. Only meeting: Oct. 27, 1979 – Logan 25, Cedar 7, Class 3A first round at Logan.

Coach vs. coach: first meeting between Logan’s Mike Favero and Cedar’s Josh Bennett.

Last quarterfinals: Logan – 2013, lost to Olympus 23-21; Cedar – 2014, fell to Pine View 45-10.

Current winning streaks: Logan – 7, Cedar – 1.

Logan is 24-11 in home playoff games.

Both teams last advanced to the semifinals in 2011. That year, Logan captured the Class 4A crown while Cedar fell to Desert Hills in the 3A semis.

Tooele (7-3) vs. Hurricane (6-3)

Series record: Hurricane leads 2-1. Last meeting: Sept. 2, 2011 – Hurricane 52, Tooele 7 at Hurricane.

Coach vs. coach: First meeting between Tooele’s Kyle Brady and Hurricane’s Steve Pearson.

Last quarterfinals: Tooele – 2003, lost to Cedar 26-6; Hurricane – 2014, eliminated Juan Diego 32-15 and eventually advanced to the 3AA title game.

Hurricane is in the quarterfinal round for the eighth year in a row.

Current winning streaks: Tooele – 4, Hurricane – 2.

Tooele is 14-5 in home playoff games. Tooele last hosted a quarterfinal contest in 2002 when the Buffaloes won the Class 3A state championship.

3A Semifinals at S.U.U.

Juan Diego (10-1) vs. Juab (9-2)

Series record: Juan Diego leads 6-1. Juab’s only victory in the series came in 2001, Juan Diego’s second season. Last meeting: Nov. 5, 2010 – Juan Diego 27, Juab 12, Class 3A quarterfinal at Juan Diego.

Coach vs. coach: Juan Diego’s John Colosimo is 4-0 vs. Juab’s Mike Bowring.

Last semifinals: Juan Diego – 2013, lost to Pine View 48-42; Juab – 2014, defeated Union 21-14 before falling to Judge Memorial in the finals.

Current winning streaks: Juan Diego – 7, Juab – 3.

Juan Diego appears in the semifinals for the sixth time in the eight years. The Soaring Eagle are attempting to advance to the finals for the first time since grabbing the Class 3A title in 2010.

Juab is in the semis for the third year in a row.

The Soaring Eagle have claimed their 11th double-digit win season in the school’s 16-year history.

A Juab victory gives the Wasps its sixth double-digit win season in 61 years of football.

Juan Diego’s sole loss this season came to Class 4A’s Murray. Juab dropped contests only to North Sanpete in overtime and to Class 3AA’s Cedar.

North Sanpete (7-4) vs. Morgan (9-2)

Series record: Morgan leads 9-2. Last meeting: Oct. 14 (Week 9) – Morgan 38, North Sanpete 21 at Morgan (non-region game).

Coach vs. coach: Morgan’s Kovi Christiansen is 2-0 vs. North Sanpete’s Rick Wilson.

Last semifinals: North Sanpete – 2002, lost to Wasatch 27-7; Morgan – 2013, lost to Manti 36-28.

Current winning streaks: North Sanpete – 2; Morgan – 6.

Morgan last competed in a title game in 1997 when the Trojans won its its sixth championship.

North Sanpete is 0-3 all time in semifinal games.

Morgan looks to earn 10 victories for the first time since 2008 and 11th time in school history. North Sanpete enjoys its most wins since going 11-1 in 2002.

2A Semifinals at S.U.U.

Beaver (9-1) vs. North Summit (7-3)

Series record: Beaver leads 13-6. Last meeting: Sept. 11 (Week 4) – Beaver 21, North Summit 17 at North Summit.

Coach vs. coach: Beaver’s Steve Hutchings is 2-1 vs. North Summit’s Devin Smith.

Last semifinals: Beaver – 2013, fell to South Summit 14-7; North Summit – 2013, lost to Grand County 34-13.

Current winning streaks: Beaver – 9, North Summit – 1.

Beaver hasn’t competed in a state championship game since 1992 and last won a title in 1990.

North Summit captured back-to-back state crowns in 2007 and 2008, but the Braves haven’t been back since.

South Summit (10-0) vs. San Juan (7-3)

Series record: San Juan leads 7-2. Last meeting: Aug. 21 (Week 1) – South Summit 26, San Juan 7 at San Juan.

Coach vs. coach: South Summit’s Aaron Tillett is 1-0 vs. San Juan’s Monty Lee.

Last semifinals: South Summit – 2014, blasted South Sevier 49-0 en route to winning the 2A championship; San Juan – 2014, lost to Summit Academy 24-0.

South Summit, the two-time defending 2A champ, makes its seventh straight semifinal appearance.

This year marks San Juan’s ninth trip to the semifinals in 11 seasons and 21st in 29 years. Over the last decade, the Broncos advanced to the finals five times (in 2005, ’06, ’09, ’10 and ’12, taking State in ’06, ’09 and ’10).

Current winning streaks: South Summit – 20, San Juan – 2.

South Summit celebrates its fifth double-digit win season in seven years. Its 20-game winning ties for the 17th longest in Utah prep history.

1A Semifinals at S.U.U.

Diamond Ranch (9-0) vs. Rich (5-5)

Series record: Rich leads 5-2. Last meeting: Sept. 25 (Week 6) – Diamond Ranch 35, Rich 2 at Rich. This game reprises the 2014 championship, which Rich won 20-0.

Coach vs. coach: Rich’s Ashley Brown is 5-2 vs. Diamond Ranch’s Robbie Dias.

Last semifinals: DR – 2014, defeated Kanab 29-28; Rich – 2014, defeated Monticello 39-13.

Diamond Ranch has seen postseason action all five years it’s been a member of the Utah High School Activities Association and advances to the semifinals for the third year in a row.

Rich battles in the semis for the tenth straight year and 13th time in 15 seasons. During those 15 seasons, Rich advanced to the finals nine times including six of the past eight years.

Current winning streaks: Diamond Ranch – 9, Rich – 3.

Duchesne (8-2) vs. Kanab (8-3)

Series record: Kanab leads 7-5. Last meeting: Sept. 11 (Week 4) – Duchesne 14, Kanab 0 at Duchesne.

Coach vs. coach: Duchesne’s Jerry Cowan is 4-3 vs. Kanab’s Bucky Orton.

Last semifinals: Duchesne – 2013, defeated Diamond Ranch 42-14, then nipped Rich 14-13 in the finals; Kanab – 2014, lost to Diamond Ranch 29-28.

Duchesne advanced to the finals five consecutive years, from 2009-13, winning four straight titles from 2010-13.

Kanab battled in the finals from 2005 through 2008, taking the 1A title in 2005 and 2007, but the Cowboys haven’t been back to the championship game since.

Current winning streaks: Duchesne – 7, Kanab – 2.

Both teams suffered their last loss to Diamond Ranch.

See you on the sidelines!

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