REGION 10 SET TO DEFEND THE HARDWOOD CROWN 

By Rustyn Burnside, ESPN 977

When the dust settled at Greater Zion Stadium this last Friday, one thing was certain. Desert Hills not only became the state champion by defeating their rival in Crimson Cliffs, they became the first team in Southern Utah to capture a state title in quite some time in the 4A classification. Region 10, formerly Region 9 had seen runner ups in 2021, 2020, and 2018, but the last time a champion was crowned on the Gridiron from our region was 2016. It also happened to be an in region clash as Desert Hills prevailed over Pine View. This was when the region was a part of Utah’s 3AA classification. To make a long story short, this felt good for fans of not only Desert Hills, but really the region as a whole to finally claim the top team after a 5-game drought.  

As we turn our attention to Basketball season, there is no such thing as a drought or a streak to be broken. Instead of looking to break records, Region 10 will seek to maintain them. Region 10 teams have been king when it comes to taking home titles. From Pine View (2015), Dixie (2016, 2020), Cedar (2021) and most recently, Snow Canyon, Region 10 has won 5 of the last 8 championships. This includes three straight. Some of these have come at the 3A level in 2015-2016, before the Region rose with their classification claiming 4A titles in the three straight victories. In football, Region’s 10 and 11 made a total of 13 teams in Utah’s 4A classification. Basketball will see the introduction of an “Unattached” team in Layton Christian Academy to bring a total of 14 squads into the championship hunt. Layton Christian is coming off a Region 13 championship and above all a 3A state title. The Eagles will provide some stiff competition. Even with the one team addition of the LCA Eagles, the odds are still supreme for a Region 10 team to be in the title hunt. The main question of course will not be if a team will be in championship contention, but who? Stay tuned to ESPN 97.7 all season long for up-to-date coverage on all 7 local Region 10 teams as we get set to tip off in the coming weeks.  

EACH TEAMS OPENING NIGHT VIA MAXPREPS:  

SNOW CANYON WARRIORS: AT GREEN VALLEY GATORS (HENDERSON, NEVADA) (11/29/22) 

DIXIE FLYERS:  VS MOUNTAIN VIEW BRUINS (12/01/22) 

CRIMSON CLIFFS MUSTANGS: VS PAYSON LIONS (12/01/22) 

DESERT HILLS THUNDER:  RIDGELINE RIVERHAWKS (12/01/22)  

CEDAR REDS: MAPLE MOUNTAIN GOLDEN EAGLES (UVU TIPOFF) (11/22/22) 

HURRICANE TIGERS: WASATCH WASPS (11/22/22) 

PINE VIEW PANTHERS: RIDGELINE RIVERHAWKS (12/2/22)