3A football preview: Delta at Logan

Delta (5-5, 2-2) at Logan (9-2, 5-0)

3A State Tournament quarterfinal game

Friday, 4 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Logan by 21

All-time series: Logan leads 3-0.

Last meeting: 2002 quarterfinals, Logan won 48-7

David, meet Goliath.

Goliath, this is David.

Delta High, one of the tiniest schools in Class 3A, knows what it's up against when it squares off with Logan High, one of the biggest schools in the classification, in the quarterfinals this Friday.

Fresh off its miracle 24-23 win over Park City in the opening round last week, one might think that top-ranked Logan's biggest challenge in this round would be to avoid looking ahead to the semifinals.

However, Delta's defense is a tough matchup for anyone, including Logan's high-flying offense, and the Rabbits know how to win postseason games — evidenced by their semifinal appearance 12 months ago and their first-round win this year.

To reach the semis again, Delta will rely on its stout defense to lead the way. The Rabbits have recorded three shutouts this year and lead Class 3A in scoring defense (11.9 ppg).

Accordingly, don't expect Delta to tremble at the prospect of facing one of the top junior QBs in the state. Logan signal-caller Jeff Manning has throw for 1,895 yards and 22 touchdown passes through the air. He has also rushed for seven TDs.

Manning has a number of targets around him, and Mike Hlavaty is his current leading receiver (27 catches, 398 yards).

Like the Rabbits, Logan also has a very good defense, and it will look to keep tabs on Delta's Curtis Eliason.

Delta Rabbits statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 12.2 ppg

Scoring defense: 11.9 ppg

Passing leader: Brook Chappell (2 TDs), Curtis Eliason (2 TDs), Wyatt Warnick (2 TDs)

Rushing leader: Curtis Eliason (4 TDs)

Receiving leader: Kurt Nielson (5 TDs)

Tackles leader: not provided

Sacks leader: not provided

Interceptions leader: not provided