Despite losing 24 seniors from last year’s team, high expectations still abound for the Dixie Flyers. The season opener starts Friday with a home game against Springville.
High school football is back and with it a slate of Week 1 matchups. Take a look at The Spectrum & Daily News’ game-by-game capsule previews for tonight’s games.
Pine View at Judge Memorial, 7 p.m.
The Panthers finally got their starting quarterback figured out, junior Ryan Javines, in time for Friday’s opener at Judge Memorial. These two schools have played each other in the football season opener the last three years, with PV winning in 2013 and 2015. The games have been close, and this one should be as well.
Desert Hills at Jordan, 7 p.m.
Desert Hills will look for redemption Friday night after suffering a 54-34 home loss last year to the Jordan Beetdiggers. Senior quarterback Quinn Kiser will make his debut under center after three-year starter Nick Warmsley graduated and is competing for a starting spot at Dixie State. The Beetdiggers are a perennial power in 5A and once again are expected to contend for the state title. Desert Hills’ Nephi Sewell is expected to make his debut after suffering a neck injury against Jordan last year.
Springville at Dixie, 7 p.m.
Dixie’s last win against Springville was back in 2012 and Flyers head coach Andy Stokes is ready to start a new streak against the Red Devils. A tradition that has started for more than a decade, both schools will open the season once again against one another. Dixie junior quarterback Jacob Barben will get the start after beating out Nate Mahi for the starting job.
Skyline at Hurricane, 7 p.m.
Hurricane and Skyline have opened the high school football season for the past seven years with the Eagles holding a 4-3 edge over that span. Senior quarterback Josh Parker will look to lead the Tigers to victory at home — one of just three home games all year for Hurricane. Parker is one of just of two quarterbacks in 3AA south with starting experience and the Tigers will look to him to lead the team after a state runner-up finish in 2014.
Snow Canyon at Uintah, 7 p.m.
The Warriors have a long trip up to Vernal, but the Utes haven’t mustered a winning season since 2009. Snow Canyon has a solid defense, led by linebackers Kaleb Gates and Britton Webster, which should help against Uintah’s retooled offense.
Diamond Ranch at Enterprise, 7 p.m.
The Diamondbacks and Wolves get together for the fifth straight season opener. The Wolves won from 2012-14 before the Diamondbacks won 42-13 in last year’s opener, the start of their undefeated season. DRA returns good players from last year, but so do the Wolves.
Canyon View at Beaver, 7 p.m.
Canyon View head coach Robby Robinson will begin his final season with the Falcons against the defending 2A state champions. The Falcons will feature an almost entirely different team than the one that defeated Beaver 44-28 to open last season. The Beavers will have some changes of their own, though, as Randy Hunter takes over for longtime Beaver coach Steve Hutchings.
Cedar at Provo, 7 p.m.
Things didn’t end well for Cedar last time these two teams met, as the Bulldogs blew out the Redmen 40-16 to open the season last year. This game will feature two of the top offensive players in the state in Provo receiver Ty Jones and Cedar quarterback Mason Fakahua.
Parowan at North Sevier, 7 p.m.
The Rams and Wolves both won just two games last season and both clubs will have new faces manning the sidelines. In a battle of first-year coaches, Parowan’s Anthony Chidester and North Sevier’s Devin Lindley will both try to pick up their first win as head coaches on Friday night.
Follow The Spectrum & Daily News sports reporters Justin Giles (@justingiles22), Ryan Miller (@millerjryan) and Patrick Carr (@patrickcarr_) on Twitter.
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