READ: Can DHills Slow Down Crimson’s Pass Game?

By Andy Thompson, ESPN 977

Steele Barben swings for the fences.

This year he's had touchdown throws of 83, 78, 74 and 65 yards and those are just a few of his big plays.

In his first game against Desert Hills this year he went 18-31 for 274 yards and two touchdowns.

Holding Barben to two scores is tough to do. This is a kid who threw 12 touchdowns in two weeks against the Cedar Reds.

Desert Hills head coach Rick Berry knows his defensive secondary will have its work cutout for them against Barben and his dynamic receiving corps.

"I think they're very well balanced. I think at the beginning of the year they ran a little more than they threw the ball, and now they throw a little bit more than they run. Barben's done a nice job, I think he has 37 touchdown passes, so they look to the air. They have a good group of receivers, they spread the ball around, it's not just one receiver in particular."

Desert Hills defensive front, lead by #40 Ocean Taufa, #55 Tasi Sauta and #25 Keala Loo will have to do their part to take some pressure off their secondary.

"Our front four has to get some pressure, they have to keep [Barben] in the pocket, keep him contained, and then the back end will make some plays. Going into the season we weren't real experienced, I had to move people around into the secondary and I think now we are playing the best we have on the back end."

Thunder defensive backs #2 Hunter Clark and #3 Tayven Mortensen have combined for 7 interceptions this year for Desert Hills.

Tune-in to Crimson Cliffs vs Desert Hills on ESPN 97.7FM with Countdown to Kickoff starting at 4PM on The Andy Thompson Show followed by Region 10 Live! hosted by Keric Seegmiller. Presented by Ideal Home and Paint and Buck's Ace Hardware