3A high school football preview: Morgan at Hurricane

Morgan (8-2) at Hurricane (9-1)

3A state tournament first round

Friday, 7 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Hurricane by 10

All-time series: Morgan leads, 3-2

Coach vs. Coach: Hurricane's Chris Homer leads Morgan's Kovi Christiansen, 2-0

Last meeting: Nov. 7, 2009 — Hurricane 41, Morgan 9

That Cedar, which is enjoying one of its best seasons in recent memory, upset Hurricane last weekend wasn't shocking.

After all, the Redmen consistently have one of the better 3A programs in the state, and they're always a difficult team to beat.

But the fact that Cedar absolutely throttled Hurricane for three quarters — leading 38-7 at one point before ultimately winning 44-30 — sent reverberations up and down the state.

It so clearly rocked Hurricane's world, and the Tigers have been left soul-searching as they head into the postseason and attempt to reach the 3A title game for the third year in a row.

"To be honest, I just thought Cedar outplayed us in every phase of the game," said Hurricane coach Chris Homer. "I think Cedar deserves a lot more credit than they're getting, and maybe we deserve a lot less credit than we're getting because I thought we were out-coached and outplayed in all three phases of the game.

"We're hoping it serves as a wake-up game, but the pressure of the playoffs is — you lose and you're done. We've really put ourselves in a tough situations because of our loss."

That tough situation is an opening-round date with highly regarded Morgan of Region 11 on Friday night at 7.

Ranked No. 1 for almost the entire season, Hurricane must find ways to beat a Morgan team that's led by running backs Tad Sargent (904 yards and eight TDs) and Lawson Toomer (797 yards and 11 TDs).

"(Cedar) did what they're supposed to do, and we didn't. It's depressing, it's humbling and I do think it could serve as a motivation for us — and it probably will — but the reality is we have to play an 8-2 Morgan team whose only two losses have come to two very good teams," said Homer.

"I watch film of what they do, and I'm nervous. I'm nervous to see how they come out."