3A high school football playoffs: Bear River at Manti

Bear River (5-4) at Manti (6-4)

3A state tournament first round

Friday, 5 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Bear River by 6

All-time series: First meeting

Coach vs. Coach: Bear River's Chris Wise and Manti's Cole Meacham, first meeting

Last meeting: First meeting

With the first round of the 3A state football tournament around the corner, the matchup between Region 12's No. 1, Manti (6-4) and Region 11's fourth-place qualifier, Bear River (5-4) has one major underlying factor that's engulfing the contest — Bear River isn't your typical fourth seed.

After losing two region games by a combined score of 14 points the Bears plummeted to the disadvantageous fourth seed.

"We've been in some great region battles, and we've come up short on a couple of them and as a result we're fourth in our region," said Bear River coach Chris Wise, "The kids want to prove what we can do."

Both teams are well known for their ability to deliver decisive blows and or bring the hammer down on their opponent with methodical rushing attacks that leave competitors seeking first aid and ice baths immediately after playing four quarters.

Most of the hard earned yardage for the Templars comes from their dynamic duo of Zach Bown and Devan Fowles. The tandem could easily be stereotyped as thunder and lightning because of their contrasting running styles.

"Devan is our slot man in the backfield, he's shifty with a lot of speed," said Manti coach Cole Meacham, "Zach runs the ball real hard, he gets up in the hole and runs hard. He's got a motor that keeps goin."

The Bears aren't in short supply when it comes to game-breakers either, as they too have a warehouse of running backs in the backfield. Payton Wells and Aaron Spencer have racked up 196 carries for 1,478 yards and 19 touchdowns. With these two carrying the main load defenses are thrust into significant matchup problems.

"You have to account for both of them. I think the way we've been using them in the veer and speed option it really puts a lot of pressure on teams," said Wise, "We have to establish what we do. We're trying to hang our hat on a few specific plays — just trying to get five yards a pop on those plays. If we're able to do that, (other plays) come to work."