Fresh football matchups

Football season is fast approaching. Look at it like this. While we’re enjoying our fireworks and cold drinks on Friday, we’ll be just seven weeks away from the kickoff of the 2008 high school football season.
Can’t wait.
While we wait, there are plenty of issues, teams, games and players to discuss. I thought I’d get started today by looking at some intriguing, fresh matchups for the upcoming season. I’m talking about teams that haven’t played each other in the regular season in the last couple of years, and will make for an interesting matchup for various reasons.
I’m not talking about games that everyone knows are big, like Alta-Bingham on Aug. 29 and Logan-Judge on Sept. 12.
As always, I invite you to chime in with your picks for some interesting and new matchups in the upcoming season. And yes, you can look up almost all of the schedules here at deseretnews.com.
Here are some fresh matchups I’m looking forward to:
Snow Canyon at East, Aug. 22: This will be an interesting clash of styles. You’ve got Snow Canyon’s spread offense, led by star running back Adam Timo, taking on the smashmouth Leopards. Both teams are also looking for redemption, as the Warriors probably deserved to be in the playoffs last year, and East was eliminated sooner than expected.
Hillcrest at Olympus, Aug. 22: The Huskies return a bunch of experience after 22 players walked out on the team last year. That could begin to pay off against the Titans, a team under pressure to succeed this season.
Logan at Murray, Aug. 22: Remember. I said these are games I’m looking forward to. I realize that my brother, second-year Murray coach Dan Aragon, will have his hands full against the reigning 3A champions. I’m interested to see how he and his players fare against one of the state’s top coaching staffs and programs.
Fremont at Sky View, Aug. 22: Two of the north’s top programs face off at Utah State. Fremont surely knows how tough this game will be, as Sky View has won three straight openers at USU, recording shutouts in two of them.
Cottonwood at Layton, Aug. 29: The Colts are primed to make a run at the 4A title with loads of returning players, while the Lancers have to replace many key individuals from last year’s 5A runner-up team. An interesting subplot here will be the running backs, as two of the state’s best will face off in Cottonwood’s Isi Sofele and Layton’s LaVaughn Jackson. Oh, and don’t forget that Jackson will be complemented nicely by Karl “The Truth” Williams.
Alta at Kearns, Sept. 5: This isn’t a completely fresh matchup, as Alta handled Kearns 56-10 in the first round of the playoffs last year. But it is a new regular season matchup, and one that could be closer than people think. The Cougars return some talent and experience, and could be a real factor in 5A this year.
Pine View at Cottonwood, Sept. 5: The Panthers always seem to be feeling slighted. Here’s their chance to make an early statement.
West at Woods Cross, Sept. 5: Ah, the memories of our own rivals from high school. The good ol’ days. Anyway, the Panthers have the top weapon in this game in quarterback Daniel Wray, who has a strong arm and good genes.
American Fork at Skyline, Sept. 12: You can’t ask for more experience on the sidelines than there will be at this game with coaches Davis Knight and Roger DuPaix. DuPaix, always clever with the one-liners, told me at a basketball game during the winter that the coaches will have to use their canes to meet at midfield before the game starts.
Lone Peak at Park City, Sept. 12: I’ll say this for Park City coach Brandon Matich: He isn’t afraid to play anyone. Although the Miners are at home for this game, this will be an extremely tough game for them. Lone Peak should be much improved from last season.