High school football 4A semi preview: Stakes much higher for this rematch of Panthers vs. Colts

PINE VIEW (10-1) vs. COTTONWOOD (12-0)

Friday, 10:30 a.m. — Rice-Eccles Stadium (field turf)

Ticket information: Students can purchase tickets from high school. Fans can purchase tickets at U. ticket office.

TV: None — Radio: AM1230 — Parry's Power Guide — Cottonwood by 5.5

Cottonwood's 52-23 win over Pine View in the first week of September announced that the Colts were a true contender for the 4A state title. It was a statement win — at the time. But when the two teams face off Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the stakes are higher, and the previous win means absolutely nothing toward which team will advance to the title game.

"I expect them to be much improved on many things from the beginning of the year," said Cottonwood coach Cecil Thomas. "That first game gave us a lot of confidence that we can beat them, but we know that we will have our hands full. We know that we have to come out and play a good game if we are going to beat them again."

While it isn't often that a nearly 30-point loss can instill confidence in a team, Pine View also came away from the first meeting with some positives.

"We learned a lot about their personnel and obviously what they do well," said Panthers coach Ray Hosner. "We also felt pretty good because we were able to put 23 points up against them in the second half. Our guys never quit, and we were able to make a few adjustments at the half that I think will help."

Cottonwood (12-0) went on to post a perfect record and captured the Region 6 title. Pine View (10-1) recovered nicely from the loss, going the rest of the way without a blemish and taking home the Region 9 championship.

The similarities between the two teams don't end there. While the Colts like to throw the ball around and use a version of the spread attack, they also have one of the top rushers in the state in Isi Sofele. Pine View counters with its quarterback, Justine Ence. They rank No. 3 and 4 respectively in the state in rushing yardage, and both average over 7 yards-per-carry.

"Isi is just a really tough, tough kid," said Thomas. "He never gives up on a play, and he is blessed with the obvious physical talent to be able to run and move to avoid tackles."

"Justin is so explosive," Hosner stated. "He can be so patient waiting for something to develop, and then he just explodes through. If he were a race car, it's like he hits 0-to-60 in like five seconds. He can wait for a hole, and then he is at top speed on his first step through it."