High school football 2A final preview: N. Summit looks for revenge, 2A title against Manti

CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP

N. SUMMIT (10-2) VS. MANTI (10-1)

Saturday, 11 a.m. — Timpview High School (field turf) — Provo

Ticket information: Students can purchase tickets from high school. Fans can purchase tickets at the gate.

Parry's Power Guide — Manti by 5.5

North Summit's quest to repeat as 2A state champions has become all about redemption.

First, the Braves avenged one of their two regular-season losses by beating Juab in the semifinals last weekend, and now they get another crack at Manti.

"It's all part of the psychology that you use," said North Summit coach Jerre Holmes.

Manti beat North Summit 29-21 back on Sept. 26 in a game that wasn't really even that close. In the rematch two months later, the winner will be hoisting the 2A championship trophy when it's all said and done. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Timpview High School.

"The fact they beat us last time is what puts the twist on it. We're going to do our darndest to not let it happen again," said Holmes.

You can bet Manti isn't overlooking its opponent, especially after what happened in the semifinals. North Summit upended previously unbeaten Juab 35-27 in the semifinals, avenging an earlier loss to the Wasps. Juab also beat Manti in the regular season.

For North Summit, Saturday's championship game is all about one down and one to go.

For Manti, it's all about not resting on its laurels.

"We've really talked to them about, last time is last time, it's over and done," said Manti coach Cole Meacham. "There were some things in that game where we had some big plays that we can't count on again that gave us that big lead. They did some things that were scary. They made a good run to come back."

Manti actually led 29-7 before North Summit made it interesting with two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter.

Both teams know how critical big plays will be again this week. In Manti's victory last time around, it capitalized on some big plays to jump out to the huge lead. North Summit did the same thing to Juab last weekend, with quarterback Deven Holmes scoring on three touchdown runs, including a 78-yarder.

"We really feel like if he gets loose, it could be a long, long day," said Meacham. "He was able to get loose against Juab, and he made things miserable on them."