It’s the ninth week for prep football in Northern Utah and most things are pretty set in terms of who will be where in the playoffs, who’s winning what regions and such.

Except for Region 1, which remains fairly wide open with one team at 4-0 and two others are 3-1 with two games left. Both Region 1 and 3A North play on Thursday this week, while Region 5 plays on Friday.

Last week’s prediction record: 9-4

Season prediction record: 84-25

THURSDAY GAMES

SYRACUSE at LAYTON, Game of the Week

Historically, Syracuse (6-2, 4-0 Region 1) and Layton (5-3, 2-3) have contested a one-sided rivalry.

The Titans lead the series 12-3, but the Lancers are sort of a Jekyll-and-Hyde team.

Either way, Layton is unbeaten when it runs the ball 33 times or more in a game and/or runs for 145-plus yards.

Syracuse has won its last six games by a combined score of 266-50. In each of those six games, the Titans have multiple sacks and at least one interception.

Prediction: Syracuse

JUAN DIEGO at BEN LOMOND

Juan Diego (4-4, 2-1 3A North) has two straight games of 280-plus yards rushing.

Teams have been able to run against Ben Lomond (3-5, 0-3) this year, but not to the level JD has.

The Scots lost 41-7 to Union last week, a team JD beat 21-13 two weeks earlier.

Prediction: Juan Diego

DAVIS at WEBER

Davis (5-3, 3-1 Region 1) players said in the summer they felt they could compete for the region championship. It was a rough start to 2022 but, with two region games left, the Darts are suddenly 3-1 in the region and have a chance to put a hand on the trophy if they win out.

Weber (2-6, 1-3) picked up a nice, double-digit road win last week and is not only a tricky game for Davis, but the Warriors also can see this as a winnable game, too.

Prediction: Davis

OGDEN at MORGAN

Morgan (8-0, 3-0 3A North) receiver Gavin Turner has a touchdown catch in every game and a total of 13 TDs this year (44 catches, 700 yards).

If the Trojans’ defense plays like it did last week against Grantsville’s prolific offense, Ogden (2-5, 1-2) is going to have a rough night.

Morgan can clinch a share of the 3A North title with a win.

Prediction: Morgan

FREMONT at FARMINGTON

Farmington (7-1, 3-1 Region 1) no doubt will have some extra motivation this week following last week’s loss to Davis.

Tight end Mitch Nielsen was held without a catch last week for the first time all year, so expect the Phoenix to try and get him open more.

For Fremont (2-6, 2-2), it’s the fifth game of a five-game stretch against teams that now have a combined record of 31-9.

Prediction: Farmington

ROY at GRANGER

Roy (5-3, 3-1 Region 2) and Granger have beaten the same teams in Region 2 and look fairly similar.

Granger (5-2, 4-0) throws it a ton, but more than half the catches are by junior Landon Figueroa (No. 20), so if the Royals can shut him down, they could limit the pass game.

The teams’ common region opponents so far are Hunter, Kearns and Cyprus. Roy defeated those three by a combined 110-53, while Granger’s margin is 97-38.

It’s a toss-up game and, since both teams can throw it well, it could be a long game, too.

Prediction: Granger

CLEARFIELD at BRIGHTON

The last time Clearfield (0-8) beat Brighton (7-1) was in 2003. The Bengals are leading the way in Region 6.

On top of his multiple interceptions this year, Falcons’ defensive back Jaxon Vincent added a fumble return for touchdown last week against Layton.

Prediction: Brighton

FRIDAY GAMES

BOX ELDER at BONNEVILLE

Bonneville (6-2, 2-2 Region 5) has won the last four games against Box Elder (5-3, 1-3). Both teams are out of the region title race but each has postseason positioning to play for.

The Lakers are No. 8 in the RPI, which would mean a first-round bye in the playoffs, but also a likely second-round home game against Woods Cross (plus they’d be matched up with No. 1 Timpview in a possible quarterfinal).

A Bonneville win and some help elsewhere may be enough to get up to No. 7, but the win this week is most vital in that regard.

The Bees are No. 15 in the RPI, which would give them a first-round home playoff game.

They’re not too far ahead of Nos. 16 and 17, though and with two games left on the schedule, Box Elder probably needs to go 1-1 at minimum to clinch a home playoff game.

Prediction: Bonneville

NORTHRIDGE at BOUNTIFUL

If Bountiful (6-2, 4-0 Region 5) finishes a second straight unbeaten region season, it’ll do so with one of its lowest-scoring teams in decades. The Redhawks have scored 132 points so far and allowed 100.

The last comparable year, in terms of having a winning record with such few points, is 1972 (174 points for, 143 against in 10 games).

Northridge (2-6, 0-4) is on the outside of the playoff bracket looking in as the No. 27 team in RPI currently (the 5A tournament is contested by the top 24 teams). The Knights need to finish the year 2-0 and get help from other teams to qualify for the playoffs.

Prediction: Bountiful

VIEWMONT at WOODS CROSS

Viewmont (4-4, 1-3) hasn’t fared well against teams that play physical and run the ball well. The last option team the Vikings faced, Box Elder, put up 346 rushing yards and Woods Cross throws plenty of option on the table.

Woods Cross (5-3, 3-1 Region 5) has won three straight, and four of five, all by double digits. The Wildcats are in the midst of a turnaround season after going 0-10 last year and being outscored 312-78.

Prediction: Woods Cross

MOUNTAIN CREST at BEAR RIVER

Bear River (2-6, 1-3 Region 11) beat Logan by 21 points on the road earlier this year and Mountain Crest (4-4, 2-2) beat Logan by 31 on the road.

That indicates a close game on Friday. BR backup quarterback Owen Olsen completed 11 of 14 passes for 97 yards last week against Ridgeline.

Prediction: Mountain Crest

LAYTON CHRISTIAN at GUNNISON VALLEY

The previously scheduled game between Layton Christian and Gunnison Valley was canceled after Gunnison opted out of the game.

Connect with reporter Patrick Carr via email at pcarr@standard.net, Twitter @patrickcarr_ and Instagram @standardexaminersports.

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