Game Details - Football

Two-time defending state champion Crimson Cliffs (10-1) continues its quest for a three-peat Thursday evening at Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the second-seeded Mustangs face 14th-seeded Green Canyon (8-5) in a 4A semifinal. The Mustangs dismantled seventh-seeded Stansbury 35-14 in the quarterfinals, while Green Canyon's path to the semifinals has included upsets of third-seeded Snow Canyon in the second round and 11th-seeded Skyline 28-26 in the quarterfinals. These teams met in last year's quarterfinals, where Crimson Cliffs escaped with a narrow 28-25 victory over Green Canyon, surviving the Wolves' 22-point fourth quarter comeback attempt. Crimson Cliffs has averaged 35 points per game this season behind a balanced offensive attack. Quarterback Tanoai Andresen has thrown for 1,696 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while running back Van Dailey has rushed for 1,145 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Mustangs' receiving corps features Jaxson Holt (65 receptions, 833 yards, 12 TDs) and Briton Phillips (29 receptions, 507 yards, 10 TDs). Green Canyon's defense has improved during their playoff run. Linebacker Eli Wheatley leads with 117 tackles and 16 sacks, while defensive back Bryson Pabst has recorded 95 tackles and six interceptions. Offensively, the Wolves rely on quarterback Ethan Munk, who has thrown for 1,484 yards and 21 touchdowns with just three interceptions. His primary targets are Hayden Schramm (52 receptions, 727 yards, four TDs) and Cody Edelmayer (35 receptions, 608 yards, eight TDs). Last week's quarterfinal victory highlighted Green Canyon's resilience, as quarterback Bransen Munk delivered a pivotal 63-yard touchdown pass to Edelmayer and later connected with Pabst for a 21-yard score in the fourth quarter. Crimson Cliffs' defense is anchored by Diedrick Moore (75 tackles) and Major Stokes (11 sacks). The Mustangs have held eight opponents to 21 points or fewer this season. The winner advances to face either top-seeded Ridgeline (12-0) or fifth-seeded Provo (8-4) in the 4A championship on Nov. 13 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.