High school football 3A preview: Grantsville at Hurricane

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

3A state tournament first round

Saturday, 3 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Hurricane by 37

All-time series: Grantsville leads series 5-0

Last meeting: Regular season, Sept. 3, 2004 — Grantsville 27, Hurricane 14

Hurricane has been as good as advertised this fall.

At the onset of the 2008 season, there were very high expectations within Hurricane's football program that the Tigers could be on the verge of a special season. At the time, many around the state might not have known about them, but that's the hardly the case anymore.

Fresh off a 9-1 season and an outright Region 9 championship, Hurricane is definitely a known commodity now and will look to expand on its regular-season success in the 3A playoffs, beginning with a first-round contest at home against Grantsville on Saturday.

Grantsville won a three-team play-in game on Tuesday to earn the right to face Hurricane, and what a challenge the Cowboys will have on their hands.

From the start of the season to this point, Hurricane has simply played outstanding football on both sides of the ball, as a double-overtime loss to 4A power Pine View is the only thing preventing the Tigers from sporting a perfect record right now.

Within a Wing-T offense, senior running back Gordie Dotson has enjoyed a prolific season and is currently the top rusher in Class 3A with 1,400 yards. He's found the end zone 19 times on the ground.

It isnt just Dotson, though. There is a talented supporting cast around him, filled with guys that can make plays, like QB Jase Langston, who has eight passing TDs and five rushing TDs.

Meanwhile, Grantsville went just 2-8 during the season but outlasted Ben Lomond and Bear River in a play-in game to qualify for the postseason. Versatile star Alex Childs has helped pace the Cowboys with eight rushing TDs and three receiving TDs.

Grantsville statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 15.8 ppg

Scoring defense: 34.6 ppg

Passing leader: Forrest Stephenson (52-143, 36.4%, 698 yards, 3 TDs)

Rushing leader: Alex Childs (104 carries, 520 yards, 6 TDs)