This article recaps the playoff breakdowns from The Rush's Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026 episode. Watch The Rush on YouTube.
Two of the closest 4A first-round playoff games are on Friday, Oct. 30, according to Perry's Power Guide: No. 11 Pine View at Skyline (1.3-point spread) and No. 14 Provo at No. 3 Stansbury (1.2).
Pine View at Skyline, 4 p.m.
The two teams swap roles from last year's first round, when Skyline was the 11 seed and upset Pine View in St. George. This time the Panthers are on the road with coach Hausner, sophomore quarterback Coy Doman and three receivers who have each gone for about 800 yards. Russell Jacobs has 831 yards, Carter Buchanan has 10 touchdowns, and Max Yocham has around 800 yards and seven scores. "If you're the Panthers, you've got the edge at quarterback," Andy said. "When you've got the quarterback advantage in the playoffs, you usually have the advantage in the game."
Skyline (7-3) answers with defense. The Eagles allowed about 10 points a game in region play and held Stansbury to 14 in a 14-10 loss in August, per MaxPreps. Pine View's key is slowing running back Jonah Mailei, who ran wild in last year's game. Andy said holding him under 6.5 yards per carry counts as a win. Skyline has also thrown 11 interceptions, so Pine View has to take advantage of turnover chances.
Provo at Stansbury, 6 p.m.
Provo opened 0-3, which left the Bulldogs as the 14 seed even after they won a fourth straight region title as co-champions with Salem Hills. That run included a 34-28 overtime win at Salem Hills. "Defense wins championships," Andy said. Tonu Lesa leads the state with 21 sacks, Teave Brown anchors the linebackers, and Brexton Hunter plays cornerback and receiver and has a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown. Quarterback Drevin Christensen has thrown just two interceptions but left Provo's last game with a hand injury.
Stansbury is a juggernaut on offense. Brighton Reutzel has thrown for close to 3,000 yards with 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Boston Rowley has 902 receiving yards and nine scores. Sophomore Peti Vaka has close to 1,000 rushing yards at 6.2 a carry with 13 touchdowns. Lincoln Reutzel has eight interceptions on defense. Andy said Provo probably needs to hold the Stallions under 24 points to pull the upset.
Read more on Brexton Hunter's season at Provo and our look at predicted first-round margins.