5A State Title Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meridian Warriors </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Top Wins: Rocky Mountain - Mountain View (2) - Eagle - Highland</span> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meridian is coming into this game not having lost since last year to this Rigby squad in the state semifinals. Last years game was one for the ages as it went into triple overtime with Rigby just hanging on as they moved on to the title game and a state championship. This years Meridian squad is much different than last years team as talented as they were last year this team has a championship defense. Holding some of the top offenses to their lowest point totals of the year. Led by the best linebacking crew in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='336841' first='Nathan' last='Reynolds'], Carson Gooley, [player_tooltip player_id='336896' first='Max' last='Gwilliam'] and do it all [player_tooltip player_id='485724' first='Ryan' last='Corder']. In the backend they have two play making safeties in Landon Eason and Idaho bound [player_tooltip player_id='395985' first='Ethan' last='Beard']. Outside they have two speedy corners in Mason Mayer and Spencer Aland. This defense is as complete as we have seen all year because not only are they stout in the back end but up front they have Corbin Misner, Jacob Hartsough, and Evan Peart. Offensively the Warriors are led by sophomore phenom [player_tooltip player_id='484672' first='Zeke' last='Martinez'] and the monster that is their three headed backfield Marco Del Rio, [player_tooltip player_id='342488' first='Rylie' last='Byington'] and Luke St Michell. Their front line is one heck of a unit as well a group that needs no individual adulation as they have been destroying defensive front all year as one cohesive group. This team uses its superior defense and ball control offense to wear down opponents and are primed to win their first state title in some time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Important Stats: 6.5 PPG- that's how much Meridian is giving up on defense, 214 YPG- what meridian averages on the ground </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rigby Trojans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Top Wins: Skyline, Madison, Eagle, Rocky Mountain</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending state champs are back for a title defense as they travel down to Boise to play last years semifinal opponent but this time for all the marbles. Rigby has been dominant in recent years and are back again in the big game with another top quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='412897' first='Luke' last='Flowers']. The junior QB is light it up in the playoffs to the tune of 1037 yards and 16 total touchdowns. His backfield teammate is Sam Gamino and the senior has had one heck of a season. The man to watch out for though is senior wide receiver Brady Packer who looks like Flowers go to target this year. This Rigby offense can flat out score they have been lighting up the score board especially during the playoffs. Defensively they are got hot at the right time and are playing some of the toughest defense they have all year. This team may have lost some talent to graduation last year but they are more than they appear as they have the right to be confident going into this game after all they are the defending state champs and to be on top you still have to go through them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Important Stats: 40 PPG - What Rigby has averaged in this playoff run, 15.6 PPG - What Rigby has given up on defense in the playoffs </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->