The Hive Sports

Article and featured image by AJ Conlin

After hours of analyzing stats and game film, here is how the first two weeks of Region 10 football turned out.

Cottonwood (0-2)

Cottonwood is having a rough start to their season. Being outscored 87-0 is probably the worst way to start your season. Looking at the stats, it doesn’t get any better.

Offensively, they have had nothing going for them on the ground. They have 34 total carries for just 13 rushing yards. They also lost four fumbles in their 37-0 loss to Ogden. The passing game isn’t much better. They completed just 23 of their 52 passes for 292 yards. They also threw three interceptions to Ogden and four in their 50-0 defeat at the hands of Salem Hills.

Defensively, they haven’t had a ton of success, either. Their first game they had 52 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery, which isn’t bad. Their second game, they only had 36 total tackles, meaning they got absolutely run over the entire game. They did end up with one tackle for loss, three sacks, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions.

Overall, Cottonwood has a very long way to go to begin competing with teams at their level. Only time will tell. Their next game, they will travel to play the Mountain View Bruins in Orem at 7 PM.

Hillcrest (1-1)

The Huskies won their first game 41-20 against Carbon and snapped their 17-game losing streak, which has lasted the past two years. Something that’s definitely helped them is their new coaching staff, who have brought a completely new philosophy to Hillcrest football. Although it takes time to rebuild a historically losing team, they’ve taken a step in the right direction.

Offensively, they’ve been able to move the ball decently well, going 30 for 71 on their passes, garnering 537 yards, and snagging six touchdowns through the air. They did throw three interceptions in their loss to Payson. The Huskies supplemented their passing game with 252 rushing yards through 44 carries and punching in two touchdowns. They lost one fumble during the win over Carbon.

Defensively, they’ve been doing decently well. During their win over Carbon, they racked up 94 total tackles, ten tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and even a blocked field goal. They were less fortunate during the 57-19 loss to Payson, with 60 total tackles, ten more tackles for loss, another sack, an interception, and one more blocked field goal.

Although they may not be fully competing yet, they are starting to convert from an easy tick in the win column to a force to be reckoned with. Their next game is at home against the Hurricane Tigers at 7 p.m.

Jordan (0-2)

Jordan is having a rough start to their season so far. It seems as though they should be winning games, considering how many points the offense is scoring. The problem was their defense. They have allowed 124 points in two games, which is alarming for all the wrong reasons. Although they haven’t uploaded their stats from the 62-41 loss to Cedar Valley yet, both games had similar outcomes.

Offensively, the Beetdiggers are actually looking really good. They went 20 for 32 on passes while picking up 322 yards and three touchdowns. Their rushing game could’ve been much better, with only 94 yards on 26 carries and just one touchdown. They didn’t give the ball away at all that game.

Defensively, they are truly struggling. They had a total of 39 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. The Beetdiggers couldn’t force any turnovers. This means they took somebody to the turf just 44 times. Timpanogos only ran 51 plays that game, which equates to nine scores, all of them touchdowns. Timpanogos only missed one extra point in their 62-41 victory over the Beetdiggers.

If Jordan can figure out the issues they have on defense, they could start competing and even winning games. We’ll have to see if they make any adjustments during their bye week to try and stop other teams from running the score up like that. Jordan’s next game will be at home against the Murray Spartans on Friday, September 1, at 7 p.m.

Murray (0-2)

The Spartans don’t seem to have much luck when it comes to the football field. Being outscored 84-17 is not the start they had hoped for.

They have thrown 38-68 in their first two games, which isn’t bad, except it was only for 278 yards. They also threw an interception to Northridge and three interceptions to Copper Hills in a 41-17 defeat. On the ground, they’ve run the ball just 34 times for 109 yards. They fumbled the ball five times but only lost one to Northridge.

Defensively, they’ve been lacking as seen in their 43-0 loss to Northridge as well. They only have 69 total tackles, supplemented by eight tackles for loss. They have recovered two fumbles, one from Northridge and another from Copper Hills. They also converted on an interception, courtesy of Northridge.

Murray appears to be having yet another lackluster year this year, but it is still early in the season. They could turn it around if adjustments are made this when they play the Hunter Wolverines at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Park City (2-0)

The Miners are starting off their season right, with a big win over their rival Wasatch and a nail-biter over Timpanogos. They’ve succeeded in moving the ball on the ground and show no signs of slowing down.

Offensively, they’ve only thrown 26 passes, 13 of which were completed. They have just 190 yards and one touchdown. Their real yardage comes from the ground, where they have 106 carries for a whopping 526 yards, 402 of which coming from Will McCurdy, the second rated running back in the nation! They’ve also picked up eight touchdowns on the ground. The drawback to running so often is their six lost fumbles: four in their 41-24 win over Wasatch and two in the 35-33 win over Timpanogos.

They’ve been doing well on defense, too, picking up 113 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. The Miners have also been doing well with turnovers, hauling in six interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Park City is looking like the powerhouse of Region 10 this year and are out for blood against all of their opponents. The Miners will be at home against the Dixie Flyers at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Stansbury (1-1)

The Stallions have been having some issues starting off the season. Their first game was a 32-19 win over Snow Canyon, but their second game was a 23-8 loss to Green Canyon. They are still trying to figure out the offense with their new quarterback.

The defense played great in the first game, and the offense was giving fans a taste of their potential. The second game was a complete meltdown. The defense played great, but Coleman Dearden threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

Offensively, they are 33 for 68 on passes with 426 yards. They’ve thrown three touchdowns to four interceptions. The ground game is a different story. They’ve run the ball 68 times for 456 yards, 350 of which coming from Tyson Ferry, rated number five in the nation at the running back position. They picked up three touchdowns and haven’t fumbled the ball.

Defensively, they succeed at stopping the ball, with 128 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks. The only turnover they’ve been able to create so far has been one fumble.

If Dearden can bounce back and look like he did in game one, and Ferry can stay healthy, they’ll be able to start winning games again. The Stallions will play next at Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah. They will compete against the Ridgeline Riverhawks at 6:15 p.m. on KSL.

Tooele (0-2)

Tooele was good for a few years. Since Coach Andru Jones left for Viewmont, the Buffaloes have gone 2-10. That is troubling.

So far, on offense, they’ve actually been decent. They’ve gone completed 16 of their 22 passes for 304 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, they’ve carried the ball 80 times for 426 yards and four touchdowns. They’ve fumbled the ball five times and actually lost the ball four.

They have also been having some trouble actually stopping teams. They have 164 total tackles so far, with four tackles for loss, three sacks, and a fumble recovery.

The Buffaloes need to figure out what’s going on with their team, or else they’ll just keep losing. Their next game is an away game against the Pine View Panthers at 7 p.m.