Game Details - Football

Hunter and Spanish Fork both enter the 5A state playoffs looking to spark postseason runs after up-and-down regular seasons. The 14th-seeded Wolverines (5-5, 4-3 Region 4) host 19th-seeded Spanish Fork (3-7, 2-5 Region 7) on Friday in a first-round matchup between programs seeking to build momentum. Hunter closed its regular season with back-to-back victories over Cyprus and Taylorsville, winning those games by a combined 32-17 margin. Spanish Fork enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak after a promising midseason stretch where the Dons won back-to-back games against Payson (42-20) and Maple Mountain (20-14). The Dons' offense struggled in the final two weeks, scoring just 10 points combined in losses to Springville (49-3) and Timpview (34-7). These programs haven't met since 2008, when Hunter defeated Spanish Fork 41-13 in a regular-season matchup. The Wolverines have leaned heavily on their rushing attack this season, with Connor Anderson leading the way with 652 yards and seven touchdowns on 155 carries. Sione "Isi" Moungaafi has contributed 455 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns on 84 attempts, while Aweis Ridhwan has added 297 yards and a score. Moungaafi also directs the passing game, throwing for 616 yards and two touchdowns this season, though he's been intercepted 11 times. Evan Fallis leads Hunter's receiving corps with 11 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown. Spanish Fork features a more balanced offensive approach with Nixon Warren serving as a dual-threat quarterback. Warren has passed for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns while adding 190 yards and three scores on the ground. Hawkin Rasmussen has contributed 380 passing yards and three touchdowns in limited action. The Dons' receiving corps is led by Gage Christensen, who has hauled in 50 receptions for 580 yards and two touchdowns. Jaxon Cloward adds 38 catches for 420 yards and three scores, while Jacob Johnson has contributed 17 receptions for 237 yards. Spanish Fork's ground game features James Buck (342 yards) and Jordan Bunnell (195 yards, four TDs), with Caleb Grant adding 106 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns in short-yardage situations. Defensively, Spanish Fork is led by linebacker Jackson Beckstead (59 tackles), Caleb Grant (45 tackles, one sack), and Tayvin Maldonado (38 tackles, one sack, one INT). The Dons have generated 10 takeaways this season, with five different players recording interceptions. The winner advances to face third-seeded Springville (9-1) in the second round on Oct. 31.