5A high school football preview: Hunter at Fremont

Fremont (3-6) at Hunter (7-2)

5A state tournament first round

Friday, 5 p.m.

Parry’s Power Guide: Fremont by 4

All-time series: Hunter leads 2-0

Coach vs. coach: First meeting between Fremont’s Kory Bosgieter and Hunter’s Scott Henderson

Last meeting: Sept. 20, 1996 — Hunter 35, Fremont 16

All week, Fremont coach Kory Bosgieter has been intently studying the school his players will face in the opening round of the 5A tournament this Friday, Hunter.

In Bosgieter's film sessions, the Wolverines look like they seemingly always do — bruisingly physical and intent on running the ball down your throat.

“From everything we have seen on them, we know they are big, athletic and like to run,” Fremont's coach said. “That is what we have been preparing for.”

Hunter averaged nearly 34 points per game during its perfect 5-0 run through Region 2, giving up just 50 points total in league play. The team is led by the play of seniors Trevon Johnson and Ian Togiai.

“(Johnson) is a great asset on offense and on defense,” Hunter coach Scott Henderson said of the 6-foot-3, 190-pound running back and safety. “He has really stepped up on defense this year.”

Togiai stands at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, and Henderson called him the team’s “defensive leader.”

“He’s also a fullback,” Henderson added, “and has done an excellent job this year on both sides of the ball.”

The Silver Wolves don’t exactly match Hunter’s size, and they have been working through player injuries.

“We are finally healthy. That’s what we’re most excited about,” Bosgieter said. “We have dealt with injuries throughout the season. Having the last week off really helped.”

Fremont finished its Region 1 schedule with a record of 2-3 and in a three-way tie for third place. The Silver Wolves won a coin toss and were awarded the fourth and final playoff spot. The other two teams — Davis and Layton — had to then meet in a Tuesday afternoon play-in game to decide who got the third seed and who went home.

“For our situation with injuries, that was the best situation for us,” Bosgieter said. “It gave us a week off to heal.”

Once Fremont returns to the gridiron, it will lean on the defensive efforts of seniors Austin Johnson, a 5-foot-11 strong safety, and Jake Wadsworth, a 6-foot-2 linebacker.

Senior Jordan Preator has been running the quarterback position recently and Bosgieter said he is a “good player and fun to watch.”

Garrett Gallegos was the main signal-caller for much of the season but suffered injuries at the start of October. Fremont is looking forward to his return.

At practice in West Valley City, Hunter hasn’t changed much of its routine as it prepares for the state tournament game.

“We are just going about business as usual,” Henderson said. “It doesn’t matter who we play, we are just preparing, making sure we are covering our assignments.

“We are keeping kids focused, channeling their energy into our play.”

Fremont statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 11.8 ppg

Scoring defense: 30.5 ppg