Football: Chase for Region Six Title
Photo Credit: Kay Fawson
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September 29, 2011 • Trent Madsen, Sports Editor
Filed under Activities and Athletics
Half way through the season and the Cats are in the hunt for the region championship. The cats have been in every game this season, winning some thrillers, but losing in some heartbreakers. With a 3-3 record, with a 1-1 record in region Woods Cross faces an in-state top 25 team on Friday. After a dominant performance in their 42-20 win over Cyprus, the Cats travel to Salt Lake to take on Highland High, the defending state champions.
Woods Cross broke back into the state’s top 25 this week. The Deseret News has the Wildcats ranked 25 in the state of Utah, 4 spots behind this week’s opponent. Highland (4-2, 1-1), who is the defending 4a state champions started the season strong, but in the last couple of weeks have stumbled. After losing their star quarterback to a season ending injury, the Rams were outplayed last week by Bountiful in a 27-3 loss. An injury to their starting half back hurt the Rams in their loss as well.
Even without their stars on the offensive side of the ball, major weaknesses were exposed as they turned over the ball almost as many times as BYU did against the U. Bountiful held a usual high scoring team to just a field goal and recorded 3 interceptions.
East and Bountiful sit atop the standings for region six, both winning their first two games, while Highland and Woods Cross have spit both of their region matches. Friday night’s game will play a big role in determining who wins the most competitive region in the 4a classification. All four of the top teams are currently ranked in the top 25, and East, who Woods Cross put up a good fight against, is ranked number one in 4a and 5th among all classifications.
Woods Cross offense has been the strength of the Wildcats this year, and hopes to keep executing. The defense has been strong, but they know they must be better to compete among the best in the state.
Quarterback Skyler Farnes has thrown 13 touchdowns so far this season and does not look like he is cooling down. In the secondary, they have combined to intercept opposing quarterbacks seven times including four from junior Derek Lord, and one from Nick Castillo.
Sean Barton continues to be the star of the team being an all-around threat. One second he is running in a touchdown on offense, while just seconds later is running back and interception for a pick-six. He has 2 interceptions on the year, 69 tackles and 2.5 sacks. On offensive he is as impressive. He has tallied three receiving touchdown and five rushing touchdowns.
“We know it’s the most important game of the season up to this point and we are practicing like it.” Nick Castillo, and the rest of the team acknowledge that they have a chip on their shoulder. “They have a huge target on their chest. Every team wants to embarrass the defending champions. We’re glad we have a shot at them.” Last season Woods Cross beat Highland at home 31-23.
The Cats hope to show the rest of the state that they are capable of beating the defending champs this Friday at Highland High School. As well as State-wide recognition, the game has huge implications toward crowning the region champion.
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