3A high school football preview: Hurricane vs. Juan Diego

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

TV: KJZZ — Radio: None — Parry's Power Guide — Juan Diego by 2

In some ways, this year's 3A championship game resembles an inevitable sequel in a summer movie franchise. Same teams. Same setting. A cast of familiar faces. To top it off, there is even a script which feels like a repeat of the original.

It is safe to say that Hurricane would like nothing more than to write a different ending to this sequel title bout. But the Tigers also understand that Juan Diego possesses more than enough talent to shape the outcome in its favor this evening at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"From what I see on film, they're good at every single position," Hurricane coach Chris Homer said. "We can't find many weaknesses in what they do."

Much like last season, this is a game where points will be at a premium.

Both teams boast outstanding defenses that have hit peak form in the playoffs. Juan Diego has allowed a grand total of 17 points in three playoff contests, good for just 5.67 points per game. Hurricane is not far off that mark. The Tigers have allowed just 35 points — or 11.67 points per game — during the 3A tournament.

"It could come down to a defensive stop," Soaring Eagle coach John Colosimo said. "Usually that's what happens. Usually defensive teams get into those final games. You look at it and both teams have good offenses. But it's going to be a defensive game."

For the Soaring Eagle, good defense has tipped the scales throughout the season to send the field-position battle in their favor. Juan Diego running back Tana Vea said the Soaring Eagle offense gets a large share of its production directly off of what the defense does.

"It's the offense that gets the credit, but I think the defense should get most of it," Vea said. "We start off so close (to the end zone) most times, and they just open things up for us."

Hurricane has seen a revival in the postseason on both sides of the ball after an unexpected 27-20 loss to Desert Hills in its regular-season finale. Homer said the setback to the Thunder may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the Tigers came out of it with a resolve to play better football.

"I was skeptical it was going to be a good thing," Homer said. "I'll have to back off my skepticism and say that it does seem like it's been a good thing. It's improved our practices and it's improved basically where we are mentally."