5A high school football: Old-fashioned game to be played between Darts & Wolverines

Friday, 6:30 p.m. Rice-Eccles Stadium (field turf)

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It'll be good old-fashioned football when Davis and Hunter play in the 5A state football semifinals on Friday night.

Both teams are built on running the ball and playing great defense. Both feature good size, and they like to knock the snot out of teams. Add in the fact that it's a night game and weather could be a factor, and it'll be a can't-miss game for football purists.

"I think it's going to be a good game," said Davis defensive end Josh Kariya. "Hunter's a good team. They're big and they're strong and they like to run the ball and that's a lot like us. I bet there's not going to be more than 20 passes between the two of us in the game. It's just going to be defense and running the ball. It's going to be a fun game."

Few teams in the state can run the ball as well as the Darts and Wolverines. Davis has ridden a solid offensive line and running back Tanner Hinds to a region championship and semifinal berth. Hinds has rushed for 1,701 yards — the highest total in 5A — and 21 touchdowns.

The Wolverines have been led by La'au Tanuvasa, but can also turn to fullback Tevita Bloomfield. Junior Ekuasi Tavo has been coming on strong, and sophomore Leve Bloomfield is a player to watch. Hunter has faced nine guys in the box on its way to Friday's semifinals and no one has been able to stop the team during its seven-game winning streak.

"They're physical and they come downhill," said Davis coach Ryan Bishop. "The team that can be more physical for four quarters has a very good chance of having success. That's somewhere we have to rise to the challenge."

The Darts have handled just about every other challenge thrown their way this season. Davis has won four straight games and nine of its last 10. The Darts eliminated one of the preseason favorites in Pleasant Grove last week and Hinds ran wild, gaining 182 yards on 31 carries.

"They get off the football hard," Hunter coach Dustin Pearce said of the Darts. "They're very well-coached, very solid. You don't see them make many mistakes. I think that's their strength."

The Darts' defense has had the edge over Hunter's so far this season. Davis is 5A's top scoring defense, allowing just 10.6 points per game, and it features a solid front four in ends Kariya and Troy Hinds and tackles Garrett Walker and Kaden Hoskins.

"My dad (Dave) made the comment saying this is the best front four we've played and I agree with him," Pearce said.

The pressure will be on Hunter to stay in the game early. The Wolverines haven't trailed by more than a touchdown since they lost to West in Week 4. They aren't built to make comebacks, while Davis rallied in the second half in wins over Northridge and Syracuse.

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com