GAME PREVIEW CAPSULE
Springville (0-0) at Dixie (0-0)
RED DEVILS
Classification: 4A, Region 8
Last year: 3-8
Coach: Willy Child (first year)
Offense: Two-back spread
Players to watch: Payton Thorpe stole some time away at QB last year, but now the job is all his. The Devils are really high on middle linebacker Brandon Leslie
PPG (last year): 21.7
PAPG (last year): 28.6
Trend: Former NFL QB Scott Mitchell coached his alma mater for four years and was very successful, going 30-17. Now the job belongs to Child, who will also coordinate the defense.
FLYERS
Classification: 3A, Region 9
Last year: 7-3
Coach: Blaine Monkres (156-86)
Offense: Spread
Players to watch: QB Blake Barney is beginning his third year as a starter. Kyle Hansen is a top receiver, though he is coming off knee reconstruction surgery from a basketball injury.
PPG (last year): 33.9
PAPG (last year): 25.9
Trend: Nobody doubts the Flyers will be able to light up the scoreboard, but can they stop anyone. Last year opponents scored 26 points a game on them. Barney should be fantastic this season.
GAME OUTLOOK
These two teams have opened the season against each other for six straight years and Dixie has won four of those, though most have been close. The Flyers look like a much better team this year.
STGnews PREDICTION
Andy Griffin — Dixie
Jeff Ames — Dixie