Region 10 football: Mustangs set for low-scoring battle, two teams head to Nevada
Region 10 football teams went 3-4 in week one to open up the 2022 season, and six teams are back in action on Friday night in more non-league play.
Week one saw Crimson Cliffs allow just three points against Region 11 favorite Green Canyon despite an overhauled defense.
Cedar allowed just ten points to 5A foe Spanish Fork but could only muster a field goal on offense in the loss.
Snow Canyon ran it up on Northridge, while Desert Hills’ strong offensive first half led them to a win over Brighton.
Dixie and Pine View’s defenses allowed a combined 113 points in their losses.
In week two, the Thunder and Mustangs matchup against 5A opponents, while Cedar welcomes in a 3A powerhouse.
Snow Canyon and Hurricane see early tests in their travels to Nevada, each taking on a top-20 team in the Silver State.
Cedar vs. Juab
In the 10-3 loss to Spanish Fork last Friday, Cedar’s only points came late in the fourth quarter on a short field goal by Parker Kucifer.
The Reds were able to gain over five yards per carry on the ground but couldn’t punch it in against a tough Dons defense.
Koden Lunt even completed more than 50% of his passes, going 10/15 for 86 yards.
Going from a 5A foe to a 3A powerhouse won’t be easy as Juab takes the drives from Nephi to Cedar City.
Juab knocked off Cedar 29-28, despite Ben Ellis racking up 200 yards on offense.
Riding the momentum of a narrow defeat at the hands of the Dons and the Wasps making the jump from a 2A Emery team to a 4A Reds team also bodes well for Cedar.
Prediction: Cedar
Crimson Cliffs vs. Spanish Fork
Could the Mustangs pitch a shutout against Spanish Fork? Probably not, but all signs are pointing to a low-scoring affair at Crimson Cliffs on Friday night.
Cedar gave up 34 points last year to the Dons and only ten last Friday, while Crimson Cliffs beat Region 11 favorite Green Canyon 10-3.
Steele Barben was efficient in his varsity debut, completing 70% of his passes for 213 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The defense recorded six sacks and had two interceptions off Jack Stephens.
A late field goal and defensive stop clinched the win in the season opener.
With the win over Green Canyon, Crimson Cliffs enters week 2 as the #23 team in Utah.
If Barben can maintain his efficiency and take care of the football, the Mustangs will be tough to beat in all their games this season.
Expect a low-scoring, defensive struggle between these two.
Prediction: Crimson Cliffs
Desert Hills vs. Cedar Valley
The Region 10 favorites impressed last Thursday against Brighton, winning 28-21 after a lengthy weather delay.
Desert Hills jumped out to a 28-7 lead in the second quarter, with Noah Fuailetolo and company shredding the Bengals' defense.
Brighton’s defense stiffened in the second half, but the Thunder defense held off a late comeback attempt.
Rick Berry’s defense picked off Jack Johnson three times in the win, as Desert Hills moved up to #10 in the MaxPreps Utah rankings.
Last season, Desert Hills beat up on Cedar Valley 38-7 behind four touchdowns from Fuailetolo.
The Aviators beat 6A Copper Hills 42-35 in their season opener.
A potential high-scoring game could be in the works for the Thunder home opener.
Prediction: Desert Hills
Dixie vs. Riverton
It was a tough start to the 2022 season for Dixie, who fell to Springville 41-14 at home.
The Red Devils ran for 370 yards and six touchdowns, while Dixie was held to a net -7 yards on the ground as Jalen Schultz was sacked eight times and completed just six passes.
A tough out-of-region schedule doesn’t get any easier, as the Flyers welcome in Riverton, who beat Syracuse 27-25.
Riverton nipped Dixie 16-13 a season ago, and the Wolves return quarterback Jake Meyers.
After getting gashed on the ground in the season-opener, the Flyers will have to stop a Riverton offense that favors the pass, the secondary will be put to the test this week.
Prediction: Riverton
Hurricane at Moapa Valley (NV)
Hurricane was shutout against Mountain Crest 27-0 in their opener. Gerritt Grondel completed just 7/17 passes in the loss, and RJ Wright was limited to three catches for 23 yards in the loss.
The running game for the Tigers only mustered 2.0 yards per carry.
Moapa Valley cruised their way to a 12-0 record and a 3A championship, outscoring teams 514-150.
The Pirates need to replace their starting quarterback and top receivers from the state championship squad, but Landon Wrzesinski returns as a potential 1,000-yard rusher for the #20 ranked team in Nevada.
Moapa Valley beat Hurricane 35-24 in 2017 and knocked off then 4A Canyon View in 2019 41-14.
Prediction: Moapa Valley
Snow Canyon at Arbor View (NV)
Hunter Johnson tossed six touchdowns as part of a 48-7 rout over Northridge last Friday, with three going to two-star athlete Jake Hill.
Johnson added 70 yards on the ground and found Dahrius Romander, Will Warner, and Brooks Esplin for touchdowns as part of the onslaught.
Warner and sophomore Phoenix Oliver had interceptions for the Warrior defense.
The trip down to Vegas features a visit against University of Cal-Berkeley commit Zurich Ashford.
Arbor View is coming off an 8-3 season in Nevada’s 5A class, led by 1,000-yard rusher Makhai Donaldson, who enters 2022 as a junior with an offer from Arizona.
I expect Snow Canyon to put up quite a fight against one of the best teams in Nevada, but the #5 team in the state might be too much for the Warriors.
Prediction: Arbor View
Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. To continue to support his work, please subscribe to The Spectrum. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanEllertson.
This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Week 2 football picks: which Region 10 teams earn wins on Friday night
