Utah 4A High School State Quarterfinal Matchups

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The quarterfinals are next in the UHSAA high school football playoffs. Only four teams will advance to the semifinals.

There wasn’t many surprises in the first round of the 2018 4A football playoffs – aside from Pine View’s 68-50 shootout win against Logan.

While Orem is the heavy favorite in the class, Sky View and Dixie continue to show they shouldn’t be left out and both teams have an opportunity to provide a challenge to the Tigers on their quest to a second-straight championship.

Two teams remain from each region as the tournament heads into the quarterfinals.

 

Here Are The Matchups For 4A

Region 12 No. 1-seed Sky View Bobcats (10-0, 5-0) vs Region 11 No. 2-seed Park City Miners (8-3, 4-1)

Sky View rolled to a 61-21 win in the first round against Snow Canyon. The Bobcats set the tone early returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The Bobcats went on to rush for five touchdowns while quarterback Mason Falslev threw for another three. Sky View looks for its third trip to Rice-Eccles in the last four seasons.

Park City hasn’t advanced past the quarterfinals since 2009 but has a tough task with Sky View. The Miners aren’t strangers to adversity as they had to fight for their come-from-behind win in the first round against Salem Hills. After trailing 17-7 early in the second quarter, Park City turned the tides with a 36-yard interception returned for a touchdown from Kirby Baynes. The Miners went one to outscore the Skyhawks 21-7 down the stretch.

Region 9 No. 1-seed Dixie Flyers (9-1, 6-0) vs Region 10 No. 2-seed Spanish Fork Dons (7-3, 4-1)

The Flyers won their ninth-straight game last week beating Green Canyon 42-21 behind a three touchdown performance from quarterback Reggie Graff – throwing for one and running for two more – while the Flyer defense was a no-fly zone, picking off three passes against the Wolves. Dixie looks to return to the semifinals after last year’s heartbreaking 18-17 loss against Mountain Crest in the quarterfinals.

Spanish Fork’s offense erupted in its first round game against Ogden in the Dons’ 58-22 win. They scored 44 points in the first half including three touchdowns passes from quarterback Parker Swenson who was 19-of-26 for 351 yards in the game. He also added another score with his legs. Friday’s win was the Dons’ first playoff win since 2012 when they beat Desert Hills to advance to the 3A championship game. In the championship game, Spanish Fork lost to Dixie 49-21 – the last time the two teams played. The Dons have some motivation to get past the Flyers with that game in mind.

Region 10 No. 1-seed Orem Tigers (9-2, 5-0) vs Region 12 No. 3-seed Mountain Crest Mustangs (7-4, 2-3)

Another region 10 team that rolled in the opening round was Orem, who beat Tooele 68-12. The Tigers scored 10 touchdowns – five on offense and five on defense. Quarterback Cooper Legas threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns including an 80-yard strike to wide receiver Puka Nacua who hauled in five catches for 166 yards and a score. Jakob Robinson intercepted two passes for the Tigers including a 50-yard return for a touchdown.

Mountain Crest is the next obstacle for the Tigers to overcome in their quest for a second-straight state championship. The Mustangs enter Friday’s contest on a three-game winning streak and used a dominant rushing attack in the first round to overcome Desert Hills on the road rushing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Mountain Crest and Orem last played in the 2017 4A championship where the Tigers shutout the Mustangs en route to their first state title since 1994.

Region 11 No. 1-seed Stansbury Stallions (7-3, 4-1) vs Region 9 No. 3-seed Pine View Panthers (7-3, 4-2)

Stansbury struggled to create separation with Mountain View in the first round. Tied at 22 at halftime, the Stallions had to score 28 points in the fourth quarter before finding some comfort before winning 57-43. The Stallions rushed for 570 yards led by a 1-2 punch of Kaeden Kincaid and Silas Young who rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns and 143 yards and one touchdown, respectively. The Stallions struggled to defend the Bruins’ passing attack as Duce Anderson threw for tour touchdowns in the losing effort.

Pine View enters the second round with a big upset win on the road against Logan where the Panthers score 68 points. The Panthers trailed Logan 42-41 entering the final quarter but scored 27 points in the fourth thanks to efforts from Tosh Wright and Dallin Brown who each scored two touchdowns in the quarter. In the game, Brown rushed for 211 yards and five touchdowns while Wright added 191 yards and three touchdowns while hauling in another touchdown through the air. This is the first ever matchup between the two teams.