3A football preview: Union at Juan Diego

Union (8-3, 3-1) at Juan Diego (8-3, 4-0)

3A State Tournament quarterfinal game

Friday, 4 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Juan Diego by 2

All-time series: 0-0.

Last meeting: First meeting

Judge's showdown in Cedar City with Cedar High has received deserved billing as Class 3A's top quarterfinal game, but Union's clash with Juan Diego has the potential to be just as compelling.

This is where Union's loss to Wasatch in the final week of the regular season catches up to the Cougars. The defeat dropped Union out of Region 10's No. 1 seed, and it means that the Cougars must face a very tough opponent, Juan Diego, on the road in the quarterfinals this Friday.

Union star QB Rhen Richard threw for three TDs and brother Kaden Richard, a running back, scored three times as the Cougars bounced back from the Wasatch loss with a convincing 37-7 win over Ogden in the opening round.

Rhen Richard is a legitimate 3A MVP candidate and has posed problems through the air and ground all fall.

Clearly, though, Union faces an exponentially tougher opponent in the quarterfinals. Juan Diego, the Region 8 champion, boasts the second-best defense in 3A, which has given up just 13.09 points-per-game.

Jacob Doughty helps anchor Juan Diego's stellar defense. He led the Soaring Eagle in tackles and sacks during the regular season.

Offensively, Juan Diego has a stable of talented backs, and its attack has been predicated on getting them the football.

Union Cougars statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 34.64 ppg

Scoring defense: 21.55 ppg

Passing leader: Rhen Richard (125-258, 48.4%, 2,589 yards, 26 TDs)

Rushing leader: Kaden Richard (102 rushes, 572 yards, 7 TDs)

Receiving leader: David Gilbert (42 receptions, 993 yards, 12 TDs)

Tackles leader: Britt Stubbs (112 tackles)

Sacks leader: Not provided

Interceptions leaders: Kyle Guinn (1 interception), Zach Truillo (1 interception)