1A football preview: North Sevier at Duchesne

North Sevier (4-4, 2-2) at Duchesne (6-4, 3-1)

1A State Tournament quarterfinal

Friday, 4 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Duchesne by 7

All-time series: Tied 3-3.

Last meeting: 2005 regular season, Duchesne won 42-20

Kanab is the team to beat in the 1A playoffs, and both North Sevier and Duchesne would love another crack at the No. 1 Cowboys. Kanab beat Duchesne 26-22 back on Sept. 14, and a week later it knocked off North Sevier 7-0. The winner of this Friday's quarterfinal will most likely get another shot at Kanab in the semifinals.

As for who that team might be, flip a coin.

A year after going 13-0 and hoisting the first 1A state title in school history, Duchesne has been good but not great in 2007. In addition to losses to Rich and Kanab, it was also blasted by a pair of ranked 2A teams — North Summit and South Summit.

If Duchesne is realize its goal of repeat as state champs, Tyler Reinhardt needs to have himself a fantastic state tournament. The linebacker leads the team defensively and he's also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards on defense.

North Sevier would love nothing more than to knock off the defending champs in its first year playing 1A football. As a 2A school, the Wolves rarely experienced success, but in 2007 they are 4-2 against 1A teams including narrow losses to contenders Kanab and Enterprise.

Like it does every week, North Sevier will look to establish the run with running backs Tyler McEown (1,006 rushing yards) and Wyatt Mason (689 rushing yards).

North Sevier Wolves statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 25.8 ppg

Scoring defense: 8.6 ppg

Passing leader: Tanner Larsen (25-67, 37.3%, 277 yards, 7 TDs)

Rushing leader: Tyler McEown (135 rushes, 1,006 yards, 4 TDs)

Receiving leader: Adam Reynolds (5 receptions, 57 yards, 2 TDs)

Tackles leader: Vance Nelson (51 tackles)

Sacks leader: Evan Pettit (7 1/2 sacks)

Interceptions leader: Wyatt Mason (3 interceptions)

Duchesne Eagles statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 26.4 ppg