GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Snow Canyon (4-2, 1-1) at Cedar (0-5, 0-2)
Previous Meeting – Cedar 53, Snow Canyon 35 (Sept. 30, 2011)
WARRIORS
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Jay Graft (eighth year, 36-38 overall)
Offense: Spread, pro-set
Last week: Lost to Hurricane 38-7
Players to watch: The offense was pretty anemic against Hurricane, so the Warriors really need QB Mason Smith to step up against Cedar. Pine View showed last week that the Redmen don’t defend the pass well. Maybe sophomore QB Jake Frei gets the chance to chuck a few passes. RB Mitch Phillips averaged just three yards a carry vs. the Tigers, his first sub-par game in a month.
PPG: 31.3
PAPG: 17.2
Team stats: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/high-school-sports/mens-football/snow-canyon-stats
Trend: Despite the disappointing outing last week, Snow Canyon is still in a good position to make a run to the playoffs. Obviously this is a must-win game for Snow Canyon, but Cedar does tend to get better as the season progresses. SC’s running game was a disappointment last week, so you know that’s what they’ve been focusing on in preparation for Cedar.
REDMEN
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Coach: Todd Peacock (26th year, 153-119-1 overall)
Offense: Wishbone, Wingback
Last week: Lost to Pine View 42-21
Players to watch: The big problem for Cedar this year has been offense. Peacock-coached teams like long drives and heavy ball-control, leaving little time on the clock for other teams to score. Instead, Cedar is getting a lot of three-and-outs and even turnovers (including a scoop-and-score by Pine View last week). QB Easton Weaver has got to run the offense better, while FB Kolton Harris really needs to break a big one or two.
PPG: 10.2
PAPG: 29.2
Trend: There is only one trend when you’re 0-5 and that’s losing. The offense is not getting the job done and the defense is overworked and under-rewarded. Veteran coach Peacock has got to be frustrated after being so close to the top a year ago.
GAME OUTLOOK
With John Ursua at the reins last season, Cedar scored 53 points on Snow Canyon. This year, the Redmen haven’t scored that many points in FIVE GAMES. We still believe Cedar is a better than its 0-5 record, but not much. SC should win unless Cedar suddenly finds some consistency on offense. The Warriors just have too many weapons.
STGnews PREDICTION
Andy Griffin (26-4) — Snow Canyon
Jeff Ames (25-5) — Snow Canyon
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