3A high school football playoffs: Desert Hills at Wasatch

Desert Hills (6-3) at Wasatch (8-2)

3A state tournament first round

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Wasatch by 2

All-time series: First meeting

Coach vs. Coach: Desert Hills' Jake Nelson and Wasatch's Steve North, first meeting

Last meeting: First meeting

At times this fall, Wasatch's offense has been nothing short of spectacular.

Behind quarterback Payton Davis and a talented receiving corps, the Wasps have aired it out this fall, averaging 37.8 points per game and leaving opposing defenses often befuddled.

Just under 300 miles away, Deseret Hills has hung its hat on the other side of the ball.

The second-year school has had a very stingy defense this fall, holding offenses to just 16 points per game and keeping its team in every game but one.

So something's gotta give when Wasatch hosts Desert Hills Saturday at 1 p.m. in the opening round of the 3A tournament.

The obvious question is — which one will be it be?

Wasatch coach Steve North had the chance to drive down to southern Utah to watch Desert Hills upset Region 9 champ Hurricane last weekend, and he was extremely impressed with what he saw from Desert Hills' defense in that game.

"Their defense just flies around and gets people, and they caused some havoc for Hurricane," said North. "They actually made it happen. They caused a few fumbles there that were huge, and they ended up scoring two touchdowns off those fumbles.

"They've got a great defense, so it's gonna be fun to see the matchup between their great defense and our offense. We'll see if our offense can get it done."

Of course, that won't be easy.

"They run a four-linebacker defense," said North. "It'll probably be a 4-2 against us. They'll have to spread it out because we spread the field a little different than what we've done in years' past. Their defense, I think, has been their best thing all year . . . Their offense is good, but their defense is great."

In Wasatch's favor is the fact that Davis is expected to play on Saturday.