Week 8’s Best Offensive and Defensive Performances

This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.

The Rush ranks the best offensive and defensive performances each week, but only in games that were projected to be within two touchdowns. That way a blowout of an overmatched opponent doesn't count.

Offense

The No. 1 performance belongs to Woods Cross, which beat Brighton 60-52. A triple-option team putting up 60 points is something you don't see often, and quarterback Tage Ita threw four touchdown passes on top of it. The Wildcats snapped a five-game losing streak, and Brighton scored 52 in a loss.

Hillcrest put up 53 against Cyprus, South Sevier scored 56 on Emery, Syracuse beat Weber 50-37 and Mountain Crest won a 49-35 shootout with Bear River. Pine View survived Desert Hills 45-40, and Mountain Ridge rolled Herriman 45-7 behind more big throws from Jaxon Hunt.

Defense

Hillcrest tops the defensive list after holding Cyprus to six points in a 53-6 win. Springville held Timpview to seven in a 9-7 win, and Spanish Fork held Maple Mountain to seven in a 28-7 win.

Mountain Ridge held Herriman, one of the best rushing teams in the state, to seven points. How a team can have an offense and a defense that good in the same season is remarkable. Canyon View held Cedar to nine, and Copper Hills edged Bingham 14-13 in overtime.

The Springville-Timpview result is another sign of how close the top of 5A is. Orem, Timpview, Springville, Fremont and Box Elder are all in the mix, and the 5A playoffs should be awesome to watch.