This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.
Hurricane Tigers junior Kannon Cowan is in his first season as the starting quarterback, and he also plays free safety. Hurricane is 9-1, a Region 9 co-champion and the No. 2 seed in the 4A playoffs.
"It means a lot," Cowan said of the region title. "It's probably been a while since they had a region championship. So it means a lot to be the team that does it. Our team's really excited about it, and it's good momentum going into the playoffs."
Hurricane beat Desert Hills 42-8 on Oct. 14. Lineman Tanner Matua had about three and a half sacks in that game. "He's just playing good every week," Cowan said. "He's a good leader on the D-line." Cowan said Matua also helps on offense. "He's a smart kid on the O-line. He can help audible and check into stuff."
Junior Titan Borchardt has gone over 1,000 rushing yards this season. "He's just so fiery," Cowan said. "He gets so mad if he doesn't get more than 30 yards, and he's just expecting a lot every play. And he runs it so hard and tough."
On Hurricane's first play against Desert Hills, Cowan changed the call at the line. "We called a run right off the bat, and I looked to the right and there's like no one there," he said. "So I checked to another play and I just kept it and ran for about 30 yards the other way."
On defense, he returned an interception for a touchdown against Grantsville. "The inside slot just ran a little quick out, and I saw the outside guy come in," he said. "I just jumped in, walked into the end zone." What he takes the most pride in on defense is "probably just toughness," he said. "If I'm better at safety and quarterback than someone else would be, then I want to be the guy on the field. I'm not worried about being fresh. I just want to win the game."
His dad, Jerry Cowan, is Hurricane's head coach. On the two-point try that beat Crimson Cliffs 11-10, the coach let the players decide. "He asked all the players, should we kick a field goal or go for two? And we all said go for two," Cowan said. "I'm pretty much just following our big running backs, Drake and RJ, and so I pretty much just walked in." He also gave the offensive line credit. "They're unreal. They're all so tough and smart," he said. "Our run game is just so efficient right now, and that's all because of them."
Hurricane hosts Park City in the first round on Friday, Oct. 30. "We just need to not overlook any team," Cowan said, "and go out there ready to play."