This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.
The UHSAA football brackets are out. 3A starts its playoffs this week, and the rest of the state gets a bye week before first-round games on Friday, Oct. 30. Andy also gave the UHSAA credit for limiting the brackets to 16 teams. "You have to earn a playoff spot," he said. "Huge improvement from what it's been over the last four or five years."
6A
No. 1 Skyridge opens against Riverton, and No. 2 Mountain Ridge hosts Cedar Valley. If the higher seeds win, Skyridge would likely see the American Fork-Copper Hills winner and then Herriman or Davis. Andy called that "a tough route," but said it is "just not as tough as trying to get through Lone Peak and then Corner Canyon," which is what Mountain Ridge faces. Corner Canyon, the No. 3 seed, hosts Bingham.
5A
West is the No. 1 seed and hosts Roy. Andy said Orem had an argument for the top spot based on strength of schedule, "but in the case of 5A, you don't go with the strength of schedule, you go with the team that's won by 50 and pounding people, which has been West." He also liked seeing Box Elder at No. 3. One first-round game to watch is No. 8 Fremont hosting No. 9 West Field, a rematch of West Field's win earlier this season. Another is Orem against Timpview. "This was a three-point game in the regular season," Andy said. "So Orem did not want to draw Timpview."
4A
Unbeaten Ridgeline is the No. 1 seed and hosts Mountain View. Hurricane is No. 2. Andy's favorite first-round matchup is No. 8 Highland against No. 9 Bear River. "Bear River, who's been down for the last few years, is back winging the ball," he said. (Read more about Bear River's Glaiden Behrens.) He also pointed to No. 12 Murray at No. 5 Crimson Cliffs. "Murray used to be a team you walked over. Not the case anymore," he said. Skyline against Pine View pits a region champion against "one of the best offenses in the state."
3A
Morgan and Juab have first-round byes. First-round games this week include North Sanpete against Cedar, Grantsville against Ben Lomond, Richfield against Carbon and Ogden against Union.
2A, 1A and 8-man
In 2A, top seed San Juan opens in the quarterfinals, and South Summit hosts American Leadership Academy. The semifinals are at Zions Bank Stadium. In 1A, Duchesne has a bye, and Andy is watching Beaver against Enterprise. "Enterprise defense is good," he said. "Beaver, all three phases are good." In 8-man, Rich is the top seed, and Water Canyon hosts Whitehorse.