High school football 1A preview: Duchesne at Kanab

Duchesne (3-7) at Kanab (6-3)

1A state tournament quarterfinal

Saturday, 3 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Kanab by 23.5 points

All-time series: Kanab leads 5-2

Last meeting: 1A Semifinal, Nov. 3, 2007 — Kanab 42, Duchesne 22

The Duchesne-Kanab rivalry has represented the best of the best in 1A football the past two years.

Duchesne whipped Kanab 30-0 in 2006 to claim the 2006 state championship, but a year later in 2007 Kanab returned the favor with a 26-22 win in the regular season then a 42-22 drubbing in the 1A semifinals.

This year the schools meet in the 1A quarterfinals, but it's not the showdown of 1A heavyweights we've come to expect.

While Kanab enters the playoffs as the top-ranked team in 1A, Duchesne is riding a five-game losing streak into the playoffs, including a 40-7 loss to Rich and a 47-8 loss to Duchesne. With as good as Kanab has been this year, the Cowboys could equal that score by halftime.

Kanab's 6-3 record is a bit deceiving. Those three losses were to San Juan, Manti and Moapa Valley. While Moapa Valley a traditionally strong Nevada team, San Juan and Manti are 2A teams who have a combined 18-1 record heading into the 2A quarterfinals this weekend.

Kanab's record against fellow 1A foes is a glossy 6-0.

Craig Brinkerhoff leads the way offensively with 17 touchdowns, including eight to receiver Jordan Nielson. Seven different running backs have found the end zone as well, led by Bryce Hafen's 10.

Duchesne statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 14.1 ppg

Scoring defense: 24.4 ppg

Passing leader: Shad Thomas (3 TDs)

Rushing leader: Travis Potter (5 TDs)

Receiving leaders: Browning, Devin Fabrizio, Selby Reinhardt (1 TD)

Tackles leader: Not provided

Sacks leader: Not provided

Interceptions leader: Not provided

Kanab statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 29.1 ppg

Scoring defense: 18.6 ppg