5A high school football preview: Viewmont at Syracuse

Viewmont (2-8) at Syracuse (9-0)

5A state tournament first round

Friday, 3 p.m.

Parry’s Power Guide: Syracuse by 41

All-time series: Series tied 2-2

Coach vs. coach: Syracuse’s Russ Jones leads Viewmont’s Brad Lloyd, 2-0

Last meeting: Sept. 3, 2010 — Syracuse 28, Viewmont 10

We've always heard that defense wins championships.

If that's true, Syracuse High has a heckuva shot at taking home this year's 5A state football title.

After all, the Region 1 champion Titans have given up a total of just 70 points in nine games this season. For the mathematically challenged, that's an average of 7.8 points allowed per contest.

They've posted three shutouts and have not allowed any opponent to score more than 14 points all season long.

And when you play that kind of defense, well, you're in every game and always have a chance to win.

That will certainly be the Titans' mantra when they begin their 2012 postseason quest on Friday with a home game against Viewmont.

"They just fly to the football," Syracuse coach Russ Jones said of his dynamic "D." "They run hard everywhere on the field; they go hard and hustle in everything that they do. We play a basic, simple defense and everybody knows their assignments and just tries to do their job.

"We've been watching a lot of film on (Viewmont), and I think our defense can hold 'em down."

But coach Jones is quick to point out that his undefeated team is much more than just a one-trick pony.

"Our offense has clicked pretty good this year, too," he said. "We've got some good skill kids on the offense, and they haven't had any real major turnovers.

"So give a little credit to the offense, too. They've helped us move the football and they've sustained drives and stayed on the field, which has helped our defense stay off the field and get the rest it needs."

The man who guides the Syracuse offense is senior quarterback Brock Anderson, who has thrown for 1,469 yards and 20 touchdowns. What's more, he has rushed for 339 yards and four more TDs.

But perhaps the most impressive of Anderson's statistics is the number one — that's how many interceptions he has thrown in 168 aerial attempts.

"That's not bad," Jones said in an obvious understatement. "He always thinks about ball security and taking care of the football, and he makes great decisions instead of always trying to make a play.

"He's a cool, calm and collected kid during the game — nothing seems to rattle him much."

The Titans' other top weapons on offense are running back Mason Woodward (599 yards rushing with six touchdowns, plus a couple of receiving TDs), and receivers Kiwa Mo'o and Diante Mitchell, who have combined for over 50 catches for 670 yards and nine touchdowns.

And then there's that defense, led by Wyatt German, Kavika Fonua, Jace Purser, Cardon Malon, Kaden Craig, Myles Naisbitt and Mitchell.

But with all that said, Coach Jones expects the visiting Vikings to give his team a tough tussle.

"They seem to have some pretty good speed and fairly good size, but they're fairly young at some spots," he said of Viewmont. "Watching them play, they've got kids flying around on defense, and I know they'll man up and play us tough. I think they're a better team than their (2-8) record."