The fourth week of the prep football season brings 14 games this Thursday and Friday, including two big rivalries in Box Elder and Davis countie. Here’s a look at each game, plus predictions.

Last week’s prediction record: 13-3

Season prediction record: 33-12

BOX ELDER at BEAR RIVER, Game of the Week

(102nd Golden Spike Game)

For the 100th straight season and the 102nd time overall, Bear River and Box Elder will face off in the regular season for the Golden Spike Game (they met twice in the playoffs in the 1960s).

It’s currently the longest-running active prep football rivalry in the state, according to historian George Felt. The teams’ first meeting was in 1923 and Box Elder (2-1) leads the all-time series 72-27-2.

This year, BE averages 37.3 points per game on offense and Bear River (1-2) allows 32.3 per game on defense.

The Bees are comfortable favorites on paper, but the last two games in this series have been decided by single digits (26-22 BR win in 2020, 14-6 BE win in 2021). The series is split 16-16-2 in games decided by a single possession.

Prediction: Box Elder

DAVIS at LAYTON

Layton (3-0) has vaulted from maybe contending in Region 1 to looking like one of the teams to beat. The Lancers are solid in all facets of the game, they’re deep, big, fast, all of that.

On offense, quarterback Tyler Wensel has four touchdown passes and three TD runs. Defensively, Jesse Chatelain has three sacks and Xander Barnes has four tackles for loss.

Davis (1-2) beat Granger 28-14 last week and scored 21 first-quarter points. The Darts will need something like that if they want to have a chance against Layton. Davis leads the all-time series 29-15.

Prediction: Layton

WEBER at FARMINGTON

(Game played Thursday, 7 p.m., and televised on KJZZ)

All summer long, Farmington (3-0) has talked the talk about wresting the Region 1 torch from Weber (0-3). Thursday is the Phoenix’s chance to do so.

Farmington’s defense should be able to handle Weber’s offense. Ethan Briggs leads the Phoenix with four tackles for loss and the team overall has 18.5 in three games.

Warriors freshman receiver Salesi Moa has 15 catches for 295 yards and two scores already. Aidan Carter has seven TD passes. The run game and defense aren’t quite there yet.

Prediction: Farmington

RICHFIELD at OGDEN

Ogden (1-1) is averaging 10.9 yards per play on offense, fueled by running back Chet Colvin (28 carries, 302 yards) and quarterback Chino Furniss (26 pass attempts, 399 yards).

Richfield (2-1) is a fluky game away from being 3-0 and will likely have huge motivation Friday to get back in the win column.

The Wildcats’ defense gets in the backfield at a high rate, so Ogden needs to get the ball out quickly and in space. Ogden does exactly that. Expect a close game.

Prediction: Ogden

SOUTH SUMMIT at BEN LOMOND

Ben Lomond (2-1) freshman quarterback Manase Tuatagaloa has five touchdown passes against one interception in three games. Defensive lineman Jake East has eight tackles for loss. Things are going alright for the Scots.

This year’s South Summit (3-0) team looks like the South Summit teams than ran riot in the 2010s. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents 124-28.

Prediction: South Summit

CLEARFIELD at FREMONT

Fremont (0-3) made big switches last week, starting freshman Slade Parker at quarterback and moving senior Bodee Goins to defense.

The Silverwolves are 17-4 against Clearfield. The Falcons have made some strides the past two weeks, but Fremont’s more primed for a breakout.

Prediction: Fremont

HUNTER at ROY

Hunter (0-3) is bigger, more physical, runs the ball 46 times per game and has played a much tougher schedule than Roy (2-1).

The Wolverines are vulnerable in pass defense and other teams have scored quickly against them.

Roy scores fast and throws well, but the Royals are outsized and need near-perfection this week. It’s a toss-up.

Prediction: Roy

MOUNTAIN CREST at BONNEVILLE

Last week’s 38-20 win over Weber, in which Bonneville led 31-7, is as big of a statement as the Lakers (3-0) have made recently.

Quarterback Jaxon Johnson has five touchdown passes and four touchdown runs, according to MaxPreps. The Lakers have outscored their first three opponents 34-6 in the second quarter.

Prediction: Bonneville

NORTHRIDGE at COTTONWOOD

Northridge (1-2) running back AJ Tillman had 14 carries, 183 yards and four touchdowns last week.

Quarterback Malikai Williams had 247 passing yards and three scores, and Jaxon Fresques totaled 106 receiving yards.

This week should be another win for the Knights against Cottonwood (0-3).

Prediction: Northridge

SYRACUSE at SALEM HILLS

Both teams are 1-2 and had big wins last week to rebound after 0-2 starts. Syracuse had the better win of the two.

The Titans are one of five teams in the state with at least two players who have multiple interceptions (Daxton Faddis and Brevin Hamblin have two each), according to MaxPreps.

Prediction: Syracuse

MORGAN at GREEN CANYON

Green Canyon (0-3) is winless against Park City, Pleasant Grove and Crimson Cliffs.

Morgan (3-0) quarterback Nick Despain has thrown seven touchdowns and run for three, and the Trojans defense is allowing 9.3 points per game.

The Wolves should be plenty tough, but Morgan has the hot hand. It’s a toss-up game.

Prediction: Morgan

BOUNTIFUL at SKYLINE

The transitive property doesn’t help much in picking games, but Bountiful (1-2), without running back Corbin Cottle, lost to Springville by 1 point last week and Skyline (2-1) lost to Springville by 28 two weeks ago.

Skyline throws the ball a lot and stuffs the run game, while Bountiful has trouble with pass defense and, so far, trouble running the ball.

Prediction: Skyline

VIEWMONT at PROVO

Both teams have high-scoring offenses and both teams have spotty defenses. Bring coffee, plan on at least 70 combined points and expect a close game.

This will be Viewmont’s (3-0) toughest test yet by far. Provo’s (2-1) a big step up from the Vikings’ prior three games.

Prediction: Provo

LAYTON CHRISTIAN at WEST SIDE (ID)

LCA (2-1) faces the West Side Pirates from Dayton, Idaho, who are 44-2 the last four years and haven’t lost since 2019 (33-game win streak).

West Side pitched a shutout while allowing 96 total yards of offense last week against a veteran Firth (ID) team, according to the Logan Herald Journal.

The Eagles have looked great on defense the last two games and could easily keep it close.

Prediction: West Side

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