Video Brandon Atkinson's highlights vs. Juan Diego
See the Rabbit's middle linebacker in action.
Utah's three small school classes staged football championship games on the second weekend in November and the trio of games featured several traditional heavyweights contesting state titles. It was not a big surprise to see it play out that way.
Beaver, South Summit, Kanab, Duchesne, Delta and Juan Diego have been championship game fixtures throughout their respective histories. The six teams alone have combined for 48 state titles.
Duchesne defeated Kanab 19-17 to claim its first Class 1A championship since 2013. The Eagles (11-1) scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns – highlighted by an 80-yard interception return by Ammon Graehl – to edge the Cowboys. It helped Duchesne avenge a 13-0 loss to Kanab (11-2) – the team's lone defeat during the regular season.
Duchesne and Kanab have combined for 15 Class 1A titles. This number represents 34.8 percent of the total state championships contested at the Class 1A level. It also accounts for 55.6 percent of the state titles won by current Class 1A schools.
Beaver beat South Summit 55-35 to earn its second consecutive Class 2A championship. Led by 326 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries from quarterback Jordan Hardy, the Beavers (11-1) rolled up 534 yards on the ground to win for the 22nd time in their last 23 games. Beaver also knocked off the Wildcats (10-2) in the title game a year earlier, winning 33-0.
It marked the fifth time both schools met in a state championship game. Beaver has prevailed four times. The Beavers and South Summit have combined for 35 state title game appearances in their respective histories. Beaver has an 11-9 (.550) mark in championship games while the Wildcats are 6-9 (.400) overall.
Juan Diego claimed its second consecutive championship since returning to Class 3A, knocking off Delta 35-21. The Soaring Eagle (8-4) led from start to finish while totaling 465 yards and holding the Rabbits (9-4) to just 168 yards. Juan Diego quarterback Zach Hoffman threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns and added 99 yards and two scores on the ground in the win.
The Soaring Eagle have been consistent winners upon reaching championship games. Juan Diego has never lost a Class 3A title game in five appearances and is 7-1 overall when factoring in Class 2A title game appearances. Delta had not reached a state tournament final since 2001 before this season, but the Rabbits have experienced tremendous success at that level. They have won nine state titles stretching from 1938 to 2001.
Most Utah State Championships among current 3A, 2A and 1A schools
Class 3A -Delta (Delta)State championships: 9
Most recent: 2001
Juan Diego Catholic (Draper)State championships: 7
Most recent: 2016
Morgan (Morgan) State championships: 6
Most recent: 1997
Manti
State championships: 4
Most recent: 2012
Class 2AMillard (Fillmore)State championships: 13
Most recent: 2001
BeaverState championships: 11
Most recent: 2016
The Beaver Beavers are second only to Millard in Class 2A football championships.
Photo by Dave Argyle
7
Most recent: 2008
South Summit (Kamas)State championships: 6
Most recent: 2014
San Juan (Blanding)State Championships: 6
Most recent: 2010
Class 1AKanabState championships: 9
Most recent: 2007
DuchesneState championships: 6
Most recent: 2016
Rich (Randolph)State championships: 6
Most recent: 2014
Monticello State championships: 3
Most recent: 2004
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
