<body><div>It’s tough to predict who might win the three Region 9 football games that are in St. George Friday night at 7 p.m.<ul><li>Desert Hills at Dixie</li><li>Hurricane at Snow Canyon</li><li>Cedar at Pine View</li></ul>The season on the gridiron up to this point has shown that anything can happen.Defending 4A state champion Crimson Cliffs have won four games in a row (4-2).While the Mustangs might not be at championship caliber yet, they have improved steadily week to week and are unbeaten in three Region 9 games.The Mustangs face a difficult non-region test Friday night at Stansbury. The Region 10 Stallions are 4-2 and are coming off a 14-10 upset win over Park City last week.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2amWsH_0vlMcyBv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2amWsH_0vlMcyBv00" width="720" height="405" ><figcaption>McCord Christiansen, running here for Crimson Cliffs against Bingham, will need to have a big game Friday night at Stansbury, St. George, Utah, Sept. 26, 2024. Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News</figcaption></figure>Expect a playoff atmosphere in this one. Crimson Cliffs will need to establish the ground game early with McCord Christiansen and leading tackler McKay Wright, and the defense will look to make stops and get the ball back to quarterback Ryder Sherratt.As for the slate of Region 9 contests, expect the unexpected. Devin Dixon from The Fan Sports Network and Eric Goold from St. George News compiled the following preview.Boulevard Home Game of the WeekThe Thunder (2-3 overall, 1-1 Region 9) are coming off a bye week and will be rested.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3E9LJo_0vlMcyBv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3E9LJo_0vlMcyBv00" width="1290" height="860" ><figcaption>Dixie's Ran Sawyer rushes the ball against Pine View in a Region 9 football game, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2024. Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News</figcaption></figure>The Flyers meanwhile (1-4, 1-1) are coming off a tough 1-point overtime loss to Pine View.Star Watch: Both running backs will play a huge role in the game. The Thunder’s Tytan Mason and the Flyers’ Ran Sawyer have the ability to break a big play every time they touch the ball.This game might be a roller coaster ride.Last year’s contest between these two at Desert Hills ended up being a 27-26 victory for Dixie, who survived despite committing six turnovers.Dixie will need to protect the football against the Thunder’s ball-hawking defense. And someone other than Sawyer, who can only do so much, will need to step up if Dixie wants to keep it close.Devin Dixon and Kody Wilstead will be on the call for The Fan Sports Network, broadcasting and streaming live.Both teams enter this game licking their wounds and in need of a big win.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2r9Ij5_0vlMcyBv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2r9Ij5_0vlMcyBv00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Hurricane runs the ball for hard-earned yards against Pine View&nbsp;in a Region 9 football game, Hurricane, Utah, Sept. 13, 2024. Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News</figcaption></figure>The Warriors (2-4, 1-1) were overwhelmed at Crimson Cliffs last week as Snow Canyon’s offense stalled in the loss.The Tigers (2-4, 1-2) competed hard on the road but fell by a touchdown against Cedar.Star Watch: Trey Vaughn has emerged as a reliable outlet for Snow Canyon quarterback Jo Mack Smith. Two of Vaughn’s six catches on the season were for touchdowns.Hurricane junior Jaxon Winegar continues to be a defensive stalwart, posting 62 total tackles.Smith will look for a bounce-back effort, and Max Reynolds will get called on to run the ball for Snow Canyon.Dylyn Gabriel continues his breakout season as quarterback for Hurricane, and Austyn McRoberts has been a workhorse.X-Factors might be Snow Canyon’s Cael Esplin, the linebacker and leader of the defense. For Hurricane, look for CJ Trump to make a couple of big plays like he’s done in each game so far.This contest will stream live on The Fan Sports Network with Blake O’Rullion and Paul Ratliff on the call.The Friday trifecta of Region 9 games is completed by the Reds visiting Pine View. This could be a good one, as both teams look to keep momentum rolling after big wins last week.Pine View (3-3, 1-2) saw Maka Fiefia erupt for four rushing touchdowns in an overtime thriller over Dixie.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0WvvC3_0vlMcyBv00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0WvvC3_0vlMcyBv00" width="1290" height="860" ><figcaption>Pine View's Maka Fiefia runs the ball against Dixie in a Region 9 football game, St. George, Utah, Sept. 20, 2024. Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News</figcaption></figure>Cedar (3-3, 1-2) got three TD passes from Everitt Kelling, along with a rushing score from Caleb Paule in a 28-21 home victory over Hurricane.These teams, with identical records, matchup evenly across the board. The contest should be close with turnovers and execution being the key factors to victory for both squads.Star Watch: The game will boast a matchup of the top two quarterbacks in Region 9.Pine View’s Levi Shaw leads all QBs with 1,654 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Cedar’s Kelling is second in Region 9 with 1,379 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.Shaw has complementary players, like Fiefia and Brock Harris. Kelling is aided by weapons Krew Giles and Dylan Crowley.X-Factors will be Cedar’s Trace Oveson, who makes big plays on both sides of the ball as receiver and defensive back.For Pine View, senior linebacker and leading tackler Carson Curtis swarms to the football and has big play potential.This game will also stream live on The Fan Sports Network with Kaden Foremaster and Carl Franke on the microphones.</div></body>

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Friday Night Spotlight: 3 Region 9 football games up for grabs while red-hot Mustangs race Stallions

It’s tough to predict who might win the three Region 9 football games that are in St. George Friday night at 7 p.m. The season on the gridiron up to this point has shown that anything can happen. Defending 4A state champion Crimson Cliffs have won four games in...

Friday Night Spotlight: 3 Region 9 football games up for grabs while red-hot Mustangs race Stallions

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