1A high school football preview: Duchesne gets rematch against dominant Rich

Saturday, 2 p.m. � Alta High School (field turf)

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Parry�s Power Guide �� Rich by 16

Few teams consistently dominate their opponents from game to game quite like Rich has found a way to do this season.

In reaching the 1A championship game for a second consecutive fall, the Rebels have averaged 41.3 points per game while yielding just 8.0 points per game in that same span. Slowing down Rich (10-0) is not just a hard assignment to tackle for other 1A teams. It has proved to be downright impossible.

Still, that is the challenge Duchesne (10-2) faces as the Eagles try to spoil the Rebels' title hopes by claiming the state championship for itself when the two teams face off for the second time this season at Alta High School on Saturday.

Duchesne coach Billy Hoopes knows his team must play a near-flawless game defensively to keep Rich from running over the Eagles like a high-speed locomotive.

"Those guys offensively are a machine," Hoopes said. "If we can come out and get some stops. We did a pretty good job of that in the first game and then we gave up big plays. If we can come out and stop them — maybe get them a little frustrated — we can make some things happen and things might go our way."

No one needs to remind the Eagles just how quickly things became tough when they last faced the Rebels a month ago. Rich coasted to a 35-8 victory on the strong legs of quarterback Bradley Holmes. The senior accumulated 279 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and helped the Rebels construct a two-touchdown lead before Duchesne ever got on the board.

Holmes said he thinks it will be tough to beat a good team like the Eagles twice in the same season. But he and the rest of his teammates are on a mission to not endure a repeat of the heartbreak they experienced in last season's 42-27 championship game loss to North Sevier.

"We definitely remember it," Holmes said. "We've wanted to take state since we were fourth graders."

One of the things that makes Rich so dominant compared the rest of 1A is the team's strength up front. A balanced mix of talented seniors and juniors on the line has kept opponents on their heels — regardless of whether they are trying to move the ball against the Rebels or searching for a way to keep them from moving it.

Being from a 1A school, Rich's linemen log a tremendous amount of playing time on offense, defense and special teams. Getting loads of extra playing time has only increased their ability to wear down opposing teams through four quarters.

"We play a lot of kids both ways, so they have to be in very good shape," Rebels coach Ashley Brown said. "We're playing the same kids on both sides basically and they've just worked hard all year long and continue to get the job done up front."

Rich has not won a state title since it put together an undefeated season in 2002. Duchesne last finished as the top 1A team back in 2006.

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