Prep Sports: Journey to the Top

The Rams have one more tough obstacle in its way with Woods Cross on the schedule Thursday but Highland won at least a share of the region title with a dramatic five-game 18-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-18, 15-13 win over Bountiful on Tuesday night.

The performance shows exactly where the Rams want  to be at this point in the season. Freshman setter Lolo Matemate has adjusted well to her new position. Veterans Nikki Lolohea, Kave Leaaetoa, Beauty Tuakalau and Prasella Matemate have shown maturity, mental toughness and on top of that, leadership.

"We're doing the right things at the right time," Highland coach Clint Barnes said. "When we're just playing and having fun, our game is there. We sometimes are our own biggest competitors."

But in a tight match against the Braves, the Rams didn't panic and made crucial kills and blocks in game 5. For the Braves, the loss was disappointing but doesn't truly indicate how much they've improved this season. Bountiful coach Lane Herrick doesn't just want to be good enough to play in close games but to win them.

"We've made a lot of progress and we've had some big wins this season," Herrick said. "We don't give up. We're tough defensively. We're getting mentally stronger and I would hate to be playing our team in the playoffs."

--Maggie Thach

Thursday
Class 2A
First Round
Utah Valley University

Kanab vs. San Juan, 3 p.m.
Layton Christian vs. Millard, 3 p.m.
Beaver vs. Rowland Hall, 4:30 p.m.
South Sevier vs. Waterford, 4:30 p.m.
North Summit vs. Parowan, 3 p.m.
Grand vs. Maeser Prep, 3 p.m.
Enterprise vs. Gunnison, 4:30 p.m.
South Summit vs. North Sevier, 4:30 p.m.

Friday
Class 1A
First Round
Utah Valley University

Altamont vs. Intermountain Christian, 8 a.m.
Dugway vs. Bryce Valley, 9:30 a.m.
Monticello vs. Duchesne, 9:30 a.m.
St. Joseph vs. Piute, 8 a.m.
Panguitch vs. Manila, 11 a.m.
Christian Heritage vs. Monument Valley, 12:30 p.m.
Rich vs. Wayne, 12:30 p.m.
Milford vs. Whitehorse, 11 a.m.

Friday Class 3A
First Round
Utah Valley University

Judge vs. North Sanpete, 8 a.m.
Hurricane vs. Park City, 9:30 a.m.
Carbon vs. Grantsville, 9:30 a.m.
Delta vs. Juan Diego, 8 a.m.
Wasatch vs. Canyon View, 11 a.m.
Richfield vs. Bear River, 12:30 p.m.
Morgan vs. Juab, 12:30 p.m.
Desert Hills vs. American Leadership, 11 a.m.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 1A championship game
Utah Valley University
Saturday, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m.

Class 2A championship game
Utah Valley University
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.

Class 3A championship game
Utah Valley University
Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m.

--Maggie Thach

Class 5A

1. Pleasant Grove (27-3)

Just as strong as ever

2. Brighton (11-8)

Showdown vs. PG Tuesday

3. Hunter (13-7)

Can take region title with Skyline win tonight

4. Northridge (10-4)

Leading the pack in Region 1

5. Lone Peak (16-9)

Gaining momentum

Class 4A

1. Snow Canyon (23-4)

Warriors are tough to beat

2. Mountain View (10-4)

Swept last two opponents

3. Spanish Fork (13-4)

Dominating in region play

4. Highland (16-6)

Getting better every week

5. Springville (21-6)

Big match vs. SF Tuesday

Class 3A

1. Hurricane (19-11)

Ready to defend state title

2. Morgan (18-5)

Defeated Rich in a sweep

3. Richfield (26-3)

2A success has translated to 3A

4. Judge Memorial (7-4)

Edged out Juan Diego in five-game match

5. Juan Diego (11-4)

Will take on 4A Olympus Wednesday

Class 2A

1. Grand (20-5)

Earned five-game win over S. Sevier

2. Enterprise (22-3)

Confident heading into playoffs

3. Layton Christian (19-1)

Coming on strong at end of season

4.  South Sevier (17-10)

Has experience in state tournament

5. Beaver (11-8)

Looking to end region on a win

Class 1A

1. Panguitch (26-1)

Prepared for another long playoff run

2. Piute (13-8)

T-Birds have a solid bunch

3. Rich (11-6)

For once, Rebels not the favorite

4. Monticello (10-6)

Buckaroos are strong

5. Christian Heritage (25-6)

Beat St. Joe in region tournament

How good has the defensive tackle from Brighton been this season? All-American good. Heimuli, who is being heavily recruited by a number of schools, including Utah and BYU, is the sole Utah player to be selected to the 10th annual Army All-American game in San Antonio Texas. The game, which will take place on January 9th, will be televised live on NBC. And the selection is a great sign for Hemuli's future prospects. Last season, eight bowl alumni were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. 

Tony Jones

I want to pose this question to the readers. The Brighton-Jordan winner of the play-in game tomorrow night will be forced to play its third game in a week on Saturday at Brighton. 

Is that right? Is it fair to ask a high school team to physically compete in this manner? 

I say absolutely not. I say the UHSAA has to find a better way to break ties. I'm not saying to nix the play-in game. I'm saying nix the format of playing a full game. Brighton and Jordan should be playing an overtime format on Tuesday. Each team should get the football with the chance to score from the opponents 25 yard line. The third overtime should force teams to go for two point conversions. 

In this format, not only is the risk for injury significantly increased, but the survivor will be dog tired and will have no chance at knocking off Bingham on Saturday night. And against a team like Bingham, the last thing Jordan and Brighton needs is another roadblock. 

Tony Jones