Top defenses rule Utah high school football

Many 2016 state title contenders in Utah are also some of the state's best defensive teams.

By John Coon

Oct 27, 2016, 9:45am

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The concept that defense wins championships is not without merit. Many past Utah high school football champions boasted strong defenses that played a major role in a successful state title run. Once again this season, high-level defensive play is setting a majority of state title contenders apart as the UHSAA football playoffs get underway this week.

Defensive football rules in the state's smallest classifications. Four of the top 5 scoring defenses in the state belong to Class 1A or Class 2A teams. Kanab (9-1) is holding opponents to just 9.8 points per game. Duchesne (8-1) and San Juan (8-1) are right up there in shutting down offenses. The Eagles are giving up just 10.4 points per contest and the Broncos have allowed 10.9 points per game thus far.

Among larger schools, Bingham (10-0) and Lone Peak (9-1) reign supreme defensively. Both Class 5A schools are allowing just 11.8 points per game. The Miners have shut out 28 opponents dating back to the start of the 2010 season – an average of 4.7 shutouts per season. The Knights held eight opponents to 15 points or less during the regular season.

Olympus (8-2) owns the top scoring defense among Class 4A schools. The Titans have allowed just 13 points per game this season and have held opponents under 10 points in five contests.

Bear River (7-3) and Delta (7-3) are the top defensive teams in Class 3AA and Class 3A respectively – a factor that has also made the schools rank as two of the state's most improved teams in 2016. The Bears are allowing just 12.2 points per game and the Rabbits are yielding 15.9 points per contest.

Top Five Defensive Teams in Utah for Each Classification

Class 1A

Kanab

Points scored: 311
Points allowed: 98

Duchesne

Points scored: 300
Points allowed: 94

Rich (Randolph)

Points scored: 155
Points allowed: 103

Milford

Points scored: 236
Points allowed: 141

Diamond Ranch Academy (Hurricane)

Points scored: 165
Points allowed: 179