10 things to watch in the Utah prep football playoffs

Could there be a wave of repeat state title winners in the Utah high school playoffs this season? Many of last season's champions are in prime position to finish on top again in 2014. That doesn't mean there is a dearth of compelling stories over the next few weeks, though.

From record-setting quarterbacks to undefeated juggernauts, here are 10 things you should watch for in the Utah high school playoffs starting this week. See the MaxPreps Utah football playoff brackets

1. Can anyone stop Bingham?
There's no question the Miners have been the best team in Utah all season. Bingham (South Jordan) went undefeated against in-state competition and suffered its lone loss to Bishop Gorman in overtime.

Unrivaled depth and talent have helped the defending Class 5A champions dominate on both sides of the ball. Bingham scores 43.1 points per game, while allowing just 9.7 points per contest. The Miners have the second-best scoring margin of any Utah team – trailing only San Juan.

2. Timpview aims for three in a row
Winning state championships has become a habit for the Thunderbirds. Timpview (Provo) has won two straight Class 4A titles and looks like a strong favorite to win for a third-consecutive year.



The T-Birds (10-0) are one of three undefeated Class 4A teams along with Roy (9-0) and Corner Canyon (10-0). Dual-threat quarterback Britain Covey has made Timpview tough to handle on offense. Covey has accumulated 1,189 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground along with 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air.

3. 38 straight
San Juan (Blanding) is making its 38th-straight playoff appearance going back to 1977 – the most of any Utah team. The Broncos have reached the semifinals 21 times in that span and won their most recent Class 2A title in 2010.

The odds are good that San Juan can break through again in 2014. They rank second among Utah teams in scoring offense (45.7 points per game) and scoring defense (9.3 points per game).

4. Owning the record book
Jordan (Sandy) quarterback Austin Kafentzis has set or tied 10 state records during his senior season. Included in the records the Wisconsin commit has set in 2014 are career net rushing yards (6,515), rushes (930), passing yards (12,316), touchdown passes (108), pass attempts (1,344), pass completions (775), points scored (588) and touchdowns scored (98).

Kafentzis already owned career marks in total offense (18,811 yards), rushing touchdowns (98), 100-yard games (36) and touchdowns-responsible-for (206) coming into his final year.

5. Second-year wonder
Corner Canyon (Draper) has enjoyed the sort of success other schools can only dream about in its second season of football. The Chargers are undefeated and won the Region 7 title – securing a No. 1 seed going into the Class 4A tournament.

If Corner Canyon can win a state title, it would be the first Utah school to accomplish that feat in its second season. Only four have even reached a state title game in their second season and none have done it since 1995.



6. Invincible at home
When Skyline (Salt Lake City) hosts Logan in the first round of the Class 4A tournament, an incredible streak will be on the line. Winning at home is a virtual guarantee for the Eagles in playoff games. Skyline has never lost a playoff home game. The Eagles are a perfect 37-0 on their own field.

Only one team, Millard (Fillmore), has more playoff victories at home than Skyline. The Class 2A Eagles have tallied 41 playoff wins in their own stadium.

7. Never left out
Making the playoffs year after year is not always a guarantee – even for teams with long winning traditions. There is one Utah school, however, that has never missed the postseason in three decades.

Rich (Randolph) has reached the playoffs all 30 years it has fielded a football team. The Rebels have enjoyed considerable success along the way, winning five Class 1A state titles – including most recently in 2009.

8. Lucky 13
Don't tell Juan Diego Catholic (Draper) that 13 is supposed to be an unlucky number. It is associated with nothing but success for the Soaring Eagles.

Juan Diego has strung together 13 consecutive winning seasons going back to 2002. The Soaring Eagles are also looking to win their 13th-straight playoff opener. If Juan Diego advances to the Class 3AA semifinals, it will have won at least one playoff game every season since 2002.

9. Breaking a long drought?
Following an undefeated regular season, Roy is a favorite to win its Class 4A opener against Orem. If the Royals do it, the victory will represent a couple of huge milestones. Roy (9-0) has not won a playoff game since 1983. The Royals also have not won 10 games in a season since 1975 when former NFL quarterback Jim McMahon was at the helm.



10. Flying high
Salem Hills (Salem) is enjoying its best season in school history. The Skyhawks (9-1) have their most wins in a season and are currently riding a six game winning streak.

One reason for the success is Porter Gustin, one of the state's top 2015 recruits. Gustin, a senior, has thrown for 2,310 yards and 23 touchdowns on 160-for-272 passing. He has also rushed for 767 yards and seven touchdowns. On the defensive side, Gustin has tallied 124 tackles, 8.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. He can be reached at john_coon@hotmail.com and you can also follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports