Prep Sports: Journey to the Top

I love how many playoff spots are up for grabs on Thursday and Friday. Just in Class 5A alone, there's so much to be decided that you can't help but be a fan of high school football. West Jordan against Kearns will decide a playoff spot for the third consecutive year. In Region 4, you have Brighton against Jordan, which could have to be played again if Jordan wins and forces a play-in game next week. Wasatch against Park City will decide a region title. Timpview and Provo will settle the region 7 title. Mountain Crest and Sky View will do the same in Region 5. 

It's almost like Christmas in late October. The drama will be great. How about Alta and Pleasant Grove. Two titans, and one of them will be forced to go on the road for a first round postseason game. That's how difficult Region 4 is. 

So strap up, as T.O. would say, "get the popcorn ready". This week is one that shouldn't be missed if you're a fan of high school football in Utah.

Tony Jones

Class 5A
1. Pleasant Grove (16-1)
Vikings tough in all aspects

2. Brighton (10-7)
Taking on Lone Peak again this week

3. Hunter (11-7)
Taking control in Region 2

4. Layton (21-5)
Striving to finish region strong

5. Northridge (8-4)
Coming off sweep of Viewmont

Class 4A
1. Snow Canyon (22-4)
Has been hard to stop this season

2. Olympus (18-5)
Big matchup vs. Highland Tues.

3. Spanish Fork (9-4)
Uintah and Salem Hills up next

4. Springville (20-6)
Has bounced back from SF loss

5. Mountain View (8-4)
Outlasted Lehi for shot at region title

Class 3A
1. Hurricane (17-10)
Tigers looking to repeat as champs

2. Morgan (14-5)
Headed for Region 11 title

3. Richfield (25-3)
Thoroughly dominating

4. Juan Diego (10-3)
Just swept Ben Lomond

5. North Sanpete (11-6)
Playing Richfield Tuesday

Class 2A
1. South Sevier (17-8)
Taking on tough 1A team in Piute

2. Layton Christian (17-1)
Taking care of business in region

3. Enterprise (19-3)
Unstoppable as of late

4. South Summit (15-9)
Gave LCA a battle

5. Grand (16-5)
Showdown vs. Rams at end of season

Class 1A
1. Panguitch (26-1)
Bobcats not afraid of any opponents

2. Piute (12-8)
Very determined team

3. Rich (10-5)
Rebels looking to make a push

4. St. Joseph (12-2)
Jayhawks are solid

5. Monticello (10-5)
Buckaroos bucking opponents

The Alta linebacker is one of the best in the state and a Utah State commit. Found out from Les Hamilton last night that he's hurt his knee against Hillcrest and that the fear is he tore an ACL. The MRI will be on Monday. Hamilton said that he'll probably hold Hausknecht out of Friday's game against Pleasant Grove. If the ACL is torn, Hausknecht could have surgery as early as this week, which would have him ready for fall camp, (he's not LDS and won't be a mission kid). The other alternative if that they can brace him and he would play out the season and hold off on the surgery. That may complicate things. 

Hamilton said that Jordy Brown, who's been out for the past few weeks due to injury, will be ready to go against Pleasant Grove. That will be a welcome sight for Hamilton. 

Tony Jones

With Week 9 upon us, one or more teams in almost every region has clinched a playoff spot. Region 5 is the only one where postseason berths are still up in the air.

The region has just three spots available and no team has separated itself from the pack. Mountain Crest and Sky View are each 3-0 heading into the week. The Mustangs play Ogden tomorrow and Sky View takes on Bonneville this week. Assuming the two teams beat their opponents, the two will clash for the region title the following week. Whatever happens, if Mountain Crest and Sky View take care of business this week, both will be in the playoffs.

The one that is up for grabs is that third spot. Right now, Bonneville is 2-1 and Ogden is right behind at 1-2.  Both teams have a big game this week as they will each take on the two top teams in the league. At this point, Bonneville has proved they deserve that spot as the Lakers beat out Ogden earlier this season. But there is still a chance for the Tigers. It would be a shame if after their best start in recent memory — 5-0 to kick off the season — they fail to make the playoffs.

--Maggie Thach

Bingham may be the best team in the state, but there's no doubt that Region 4 is the best league in the state. Looking at the playoff brackets, I wouldn't be surprised to see three teams make the semifinals. The league is that good.