4A high school football preview: Woods Cross at Springville

Woods Cross (7-3) vs. Springville (9-1)

4A state tournament quarterfinal

Friday, 3 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Springville by 8

All-time series: First Meeting

Coach vs. Coach: First Meeting

Last meeting: First Meeting

There is no doubt about the coaching abilities of Woods Cross's head man Fred Fernandes.

After all, he won three consecutive state titles at the beginning of the decade with Northridge, but how does an established coach go about turning around a football team that had been in shambles? Fernandes said it was simple, really.

"We have some pretty darn good football players," he said. "All the coaching in the world won't help if you don't have players to execute it. This group of seniors has been winners pretty much their whole careers. They won as sophomores and juniors, and now they are getting it done on the varsity level.

"These guys always thought they were going to be winners, and with that attitude, they have gone out and done just that."

Following back-to-back 3-6 seasons, the Wildcats have turned it around to 7-3 this season. They posted the first winning season in over 10 years, and included winning the school's first playoff game in the new millennium.

"I was a little bit worried all week because the guys didn't seem to change much," said Fernandes of the team's attitude all week in practice leading up to its 35-20 first-round win over Provo. "It turns out that was all just me worrying that they weren't picking up the intensity. This team is more of a business-as-usual type of team. They were ready to play."

One particular group that was ready and has been all season is the offensive line. With four seniors and one junior, the guys up front have been a strong point for the Wildcats.

"They have confidence and they work well as a five-man team," said Fernandes of the group. "They communicate well and really make sure they get their assignments. They have come together all year, but particularly as the season has come on. They take great pride in what they do and making sure they get the job done well."

Seniors Robert Thompson, Chris Lynn, Lee Petersen and Mitch Snyder as well as junior Jordan O'Toole have made the Wildcats offense go. They have opened the holes that have led to CJ Corry being among the 4A rushing leaders with 13 touchdowns on the season. For Wood Cross to be successful at Springville Friday at 3 p.m., Fernandes feels the offense is going to need to play well.

"We are going to have to keep our offense on the field and take care of the football," Fernandes said if the team wants to beat Springville. "They have a very explosive offense that can score from anywhere on the field, so we would like to keep them on the sideline."

Springville is led by quarterback Steve Bate, but he has plenty of help.