1A high school football preview: Monticello vs. Rich

Monticello (4-6) vs. Rich (7-3)

1A state tournament semifinal

Saturday, 2 p.m. (At Snow College)

Parry's Power Guide: Rich by 5

All-time series: Series tied 9-9

Coach vs. Coach: Rich's Ashley Brown leads Monticello's Lee Chadwick, 1-0

Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2010 — Rich 34, Monticello 13

A year ago at this time Rich's football team was a juggernaut going through the motions of an inevitable state title.

That's not the case this year. Some believe Rich is still the team to beat in the 1A state playoffs, but the competition will be much tougher.

A week after easily dispatching Monument Valley in the first round, Rich takes on Monticello at 2 p.m. at Snow College. On paper it should be an easy victory over Rich, which beat Monticello 34-13 back on Sept. 17.

Rich coach Ashley Brown said he isn't worried about his players getting caught looking ahead.

"I think our kids understand that they're going to have to play well to win," said Brown. "We've talked about not overlooking anybody, taking it one game at a time and I think they understand Monticello is a good team and we're going to have to play well to beat them."

Rich heads into the playoffs having won six of its last seven, a streak that started with the Monticello victory.

The Rebels jumped out to a 21-0 halftime victory in the previous meeting by running the ball well and never looked back.

Monticello first-year coach Lee Chadwick believes his players have closed the gap on defending 1A champion Rich since the loss. A big reason for the confidence is a 29-27 overtime loss to Duchesne a few weeks ago.

Even through the Buckaroos lost, they responded very well to adversity.

"We spotted them 21 points to begin with, and then for the first time this year we just fought back and took it to them the second half," said Chadwick. "They came out of that game with a lot of confidence in what we're doing, and I think they feel like they can play with anybody."

Monticello will be well rested after last week's bye and is hoping to advance to its first state championship game since 2004.