Game Details - Football

When defending 5A champion Bountiful visits top-seeded West on Friday afternoon, the Redhawks will enter as underdogs despite wearing the crown. The ninth-seeded Redhawks (7-5) squeezed past West Jordan 34-32 in the second round, propelled by Siaki Fekitoa's powerful performance. The running back tallied 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a crucial 54-yard run with 2:38 remaining that extended Bountiful's lead to 34-26. Quarterback Hudson Malmrose added 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes in the victory, continuing Bountiful's quest to defend the title they claimed last year. West (10-1) enters averaging a staggering 56 points per game while allowing just 7.9 points defensively. The Panthers dominated Northridge 56-13 in the second round behind their dynamic offense led by running back Louie Hamilton, who rushed for 180 yards and six touchdowns in that victory. Hamilton has accumulated 1,658 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. The Panthers' passing attack is equally dangerous with quarterback Kamden Lopati throwing for 2,479 yards and 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Bountiful's offense relies heavily on Fekitoa, who has amassed 1,380 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season despite missing two games early in the year with an injury. Malmrose has thrown for 1,834 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Defensively, the Redhawks are led by Dawson Allsop (95 tackles), Carter Brooks (78 tackles, eight sacks), and Connor Mertz (74 tackles). For the Panthers, Zacchaeus Maalona (57 tackles), Spencer Mafi (62 tackles), and Aisa Lopati (43 tackles, 10 sacks) anchor a formidable defensive unit. West has overwhelmed opponents with raw offensive firepower, scoring 40+ points in nine games this season. Bountiful, meanwhile, has embraced close contests, with five of their games decided by 10 points or fewer, including last week's nail-biter against West Jordan. The Redhawks' championship experience could prove valuable against the Panthers' statistical dominance. Friday marks the first meeting between these programs in 21 years, when Bountiful defeated West 10-0 in 2004. Adding to the intrigue, current Redhawks coach Jason Freckleton was Bountiful's quarterback in that victory. The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either Orem or Woods Cross.