From here on out, get used to Thursday night football thanks to television broadcasts this week, and the Weber and Davis school districts having fall break on different weeks this year.

No region championships are mathematically up for grabs, but there’s a big showdown in Region 5 and a de-facto title decider in 3A North. Over the next couple weeks, Region 5 in particular will be the most volatile, with so many teams still in contention.

Last week’s prediction record: 11-1 (.917)

Season prediction record: 78-23 (.772)

Fremont at Syracuse, Thurs.

Broadcast on KJZZ

The pressure’s squarely on Syracuse (5-2, 1-1 Region 1) the rest of the season if it eventually wants a chance at the Region 1 title. The Titans play Thursday games for the rest of the regular season.

Even in Syracuse’s best years recently, Fremont (2-5, 1-1) has been a thorn in the Titans’ side.

On paper, this has the makings of a big Syracuse win. Expect something much closer.

Prediction: Syracuse

Bountiful at Box Elder, Game of the Week

The Region 5 title doesn’t completely come down to Box Elder (7-0, 4-0 Region 5) versus Bountiful (4-3, 3-1), but this game will play a big part in where the trophy eventually goes.

Bountiful’s been solid against the run, but it hasn’t played a run-heavy team like the Bees yet. The Redhawks got safety/receiver Faletau Satuala back from injury last week, and he had two touchdown catches with a pick-six.

BE running back Dax Sumko ranks second in the state with 1,123 rushing yards and third in touchdowns with 17. Damon Rodriguez is third in the state with 479 kick and punt return yards. The Bees are pretty banged up after last week’s Viewmont game, losing starter Mason Jeppsen for the season, but they’ll have plenty of juice in their home opener.

Against common opponents, Box Elder beat Northridge 42-12 and Bountiful beat NHS 42-21. They both handily beat Clearfield (BE 54-17, Bountiful 67-14) and also struggled to beat Viewmont (BE 31-28, Bountiful 28-27).

Call it a toss-up game.

Prediction: Box Elder

Union at Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond (3-4, 0-2 3A North) hits the more manageable part of its region schedule after consecutive games at Grantsville and at Morgan.

Teams have had success throwing the ball against Union (1-5, 0-2) this year, which may benefit the Scots after two weeks stuck in neutral.

Union is 1-5 but its largest loss is by 15 points. Ben Lomond’s main defensive assignment is containing Cougars sophomore quarterback Gannon Labrum, who leads the team in rushing and passing.

This has potential to be feisty.

Prediction: Ben Lomond

Ogden at Juan Diego

Juan Diego (1-5, 1-1 3A North) is the type of physical, run-heavy team that is historically a matchup nightmare for Ogden (4-3, 1-1).

If the Tigers’ defense can get JD to throw the ball, they’ll have a better shot, but teams have run pretty well against Ogden the last month.

Prediction: Juan Diego

Weber at Farmington

The challenge for Weber (3-4, 1-1 Region 1) is coming down off last week’s emotional high from upsetting Syracuse.

Both teams have a path to the region title, and it’s easier for Farmington (1-5, 1-1) because if it wins out, it wins a share of the title no matter what.

The Warriors would need to win out and get help from Syracuse. If they play like they played last week, they can beat the Phoenix on Friday.

Prediction: Weber

Viewmont at Roy

Roy’s (5-2, 3-1 Region 5) defense has allowed 29 points over the last two games with eight turnovers forced against two teams with a combined 8-6 record. The chase for a region title is still very much on.

Viewmont (2-5, 0-4) is wildly inconsistent. The Vikings are either a double-doink field goal away from upsetting an undefeated team or losing by 40.

Roy wins this one on paper, but Viewmont has been close enough to knocking off good teams that it could easily beat the Royals.

Prediction: Roy

Bonneville at Clearfield

Bonneville (4-3, 3-1 Region 5) and Clearfield (0-7, 0-4) meet for the first time since 2014, but for the first time as region opponents since 1996 when they were in 5A Region 1. The all-time series is tied 19-19 between the two schools.

The last four games between the two have been decided by a total of 25 points. Clearfield is in dire straits after numerous player and coach departures throughout this season.

Prediction: Bonneville

Davis at Layton

Davis (6-1, 2-0 Region 1) is totally in command of Region 1. If the Darts win out, the region title’s all theirs. They just have two rivalry games starting this week against Layton (0-6, 0-2), and a clash with Syracuse, before that can happen.

At defensive end, Jordan Taula leads Davis with nine tackles for loss and four sacks, and is second on the team with 44 tackles.

Davis leads the all-time series against Layton 30-15 and has won nine of the last 10.

Prediction: Davis

St. Joseph at Monument Valley

St. Joseph (1-5) has had an interesting three weeks, going from losing 70-7, losing 68-66 to winning 64-0. The Jayhawks have a tricky game this week, made trickier because it comes after a 413-mile drive to Monument Valley, whose football field has one of the most scenic backdrops in the state.

Prediction: St. Joseph

Northridge at Woods Cross

Being as run-heavy and physical as it is, Woods Cross (4-3, 2-2 Region 5) is the hardest type of team for Northridge (3-4, 1-3) to play against.

The Knights’ defense has allowed 38.3 points per game in region games.

Prediction: Woods Cross

Mtn. Crest at Bear River

Mountain Crest (4-3, 2-1 Region 11) has a 14-10 win over Green Canyon, the same GC team that beat Bear River 20-10 last week.

Bear River (3-4, 1-2) is on a two-game losing skid this year and has the extra motivation after losing twice to MC last season.

Prediction: Mtn. Crest

Morgan at Grantsville

3A North comes down to the Morgan-Grantsville game once again. Both teams are 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the region.

The Trojans score an average of 33.6 points per game compared to Grantsville’s 16.1.

MHS quarterback Beck Sheffield has 16 touchdowns against five interceptions and Morgan’s been pretty good spreading the field.

Prediction: Morgan

Providence Hall at Layton Christian

The record disparity between Layton Christian (2-4, 1-1 2A North) and Providence Hall (6-1, 2-0) might be stark, but consider LCA beat Judge Memorial 56-6 and Providence beat Judge 22-14.

LCA running back Trevor Halalilo has three 100-yard rushing games this year.

Prediction: Layton Christian

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

Newsletter