Weber (7-3) at Hunter (6-3)

5A state tournament first round

Friday, 4 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Hunter by 1

All-time series: First meeting

Coach vs. Coach: Weber's Richard Murray and Hunter's Dustin Pearce, first meeting

Last meeting: First meeting

This is exactly what the Weber Warriors have been working for the past three years.

The team's solid and deep senior class started playing varsity ball as sophomores. They took their lumps that season and as juniors. They worked hard prior to their senior year to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs.

And for the first time since the 2003 season, Weber is back in the postseason and will face Hunter on Friday.

"It's huge getting these kids back in the playoffs," said Warriors coach Richard Murray. "It's exciting. It's validating for all the work they've put in. It's a neat feeling all the way around."

Weber has been led by a strong running game, as David Daines had a 1,000-yard rushing season and Cody Van Buren complemented him nicely in the backfield. Quarterback Dallin Adams doesn't put up a bunch of statistics, but he's a quality and underrated player.

The Warriors, who won six of their last seven games, also feature a tough defense. Weber ranks sixth in 5A in scoring defense, and held four teams to single-digit scoring.

"They're a scrappy bunch of kids," said Hunter coach Dustin Pearce. "They get after it and play pretty hard. They're a good football team."