Standing on Enterprise's sideline during the first quarter at Canyon View Friday, I was pretty amazed.
I watched a running back cut through an entire defense with one hand and set up an opening touchdown, almost like it was nothing. That back might've been overshadowed by Canyon View's quarterback throwing five touchdowns, but it was still impressive nonetheless.
Around Region 9, Cedar broke out of an offensive slump and Snow Canyon got back to action, but Pine View claimed maybe the most significant win of the weekend.
Here's what I saw after week three.
Single-handedly the best player
It wasn't Enterprise's night.
The Wolves turned the ball over twice, missed a field goal and botched the snap of another, but the team has one bright spot: Braxton Messersmith. He single-handedly gave Enterprise life Friday night, literally.
Messersmith played the first three games of the season with a big white cast on his left hand, which he broke during a scrimmage before the season started.
That didn't stop him from having a night against Canyon View.
Messersmith's first touch was a 59-yard run through the Falcons' defense to set up the game's first touchdown. He finished with 121 rushing yards on 15 carries and was clearly Enterprise's best player on the night.
That doesn't mean it's easy, though. Messersmith didn't mince words after the game.
"It's difficult," he said. "I kind of had to figure out during practice how to learn how to run one-handed."
That practice paid off. Messersmith ran hard but with enough patience to let plays develop. He's shifty enough to make tacklers miss, but also big enough to break arm tackles.
Enterprise only passed for 29 yards on Friday, and it's an interesting thought of just how much more effective Messersmith's running would have been had the Wolves' passing attack found its footing Friday.
Coincidentally, the passing game also presents the biggest challenge for Messersmith as a one-handed back.
"All our routes, my catching isn't what it should be," he said. "I've just been trying to deal with it."
But, Messersmith also showed his character by giving props to his offensive line after the game.
"Some of those plays, I had some huge holes," Messersmith said. "We had some good drives."
Walking off the field, Messersmith even got props from Canyon View coaches and players, rightfully saluting the player who gave them the most trouble.
Luckily for Messersmith and the Wolves, he'll get that cast off going into next Friday's game.
Revenge of the Panthers
Pine View assistant coach Ben Meier told The Spectrum before the season began his team's offense might look a little different this year than last.
The unit might play differently, but it's still putting up a ton of points per game. Through three contests, Pine View averages 33.3 points per game.
None of those games is as telling as the Panthers' most recent win at Park City, a 41-40 barnburner of a game that would make the most reserved fans chew their nails off.
But it was the most significant win of the weekend for two reasons: first, it was revenge for last year's 4A semifinal loss, but secondly, it showed how complete of a team Pine View is.
Quarterback Brayden Bunnell wasn't as efficient Friday as he was last week, but he still completed 22 of 39 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns. The team also ran for 119 yards and two scores to even out a balanced attack.
Granted, giving up a lead on the first play of the fourth quarter isn't great. The defense gave up 21 unanswered points in the second half, to boot.
But, Park City switched its quarterback, going with Chase Beyer in the second half after starter Carson Tabaracci had been picked off twice, which gave the Miners a spark the Panthers probably weren't expecting.
However, the Panthers didn't lay down.
They went right back and traded punches with Park City. Of the six times either team possessed the ball in the fourth quarter, five possessions ended in a touchdown. On the last possession, Pine View ran out the clock.
Fourth Quarter Drive Chart
Park City - *Drive began during the third* 1 play, TD: Miners lead 28-27
Pine View - 13 plays, 3:06 elapsed, TD: Panthers lead 33-28
PC - 6 plays, 3:40 elapsed, TD: Miners lead 34-33
PV - 6 plays, 2:41 elapsed, TD: Panthers lead 41-33
PC - Kick off return touchdown, 17 seconds elapsed, TD: Panthers lead 41-40
PV - 4 plays, 2:08 elapsed, end of the game
Pine View may have caught a break with Park City missing the extra point after returning a kick off for a touchdown, but the Panthers took full advantage of it.
They ran out the clock on a team known for a gritty defense. That is extremely impressive, and points to the effective running back room Pine View has in Enoch Takau, Doug Leung Choi and Byron Cullison.
Post-Week 2 Power Poll
8. Crimson Cliffs, 1-1: Open date
The Mustangs had an open date, and needed it to regroup. This is a better team than last year, but the 36-0 loss to Lehi was a tough pill to swallow.
7. Hurricane, 1-2: Lost to Mountain Ridge 45-6
Playing a class up is difficult, and it's even more difficult on the road with a new quarterback. Last week already told us this Hurricane team is different than last year's, but now the Tigers get to prove in Region 9 play.
6. Desert Hills, 1-2: Lost to Spanish Fork 28-26
A much better showing than last week showed the Thunder are improving, but they get a tough test next against a Pine View team that has an efficient offense and a turnover-minded defense.
5. Dixie, 0-3: Lost to Mountain View 21-20
You have to go back to 2016 to find a Dixie team that started a season 0-3, but it's hard to count the Flyers out. Even with an 0-3 start, that 2016 Dixie went 5-0 in region play.
4. Canyon View, 3-0: Beat Enterprise 41-6
We were reluctant to move Canyon View up until they showed their consistency against a better opponent. Enterprise counts, although now, the Falcons' biggest test comes against Snow Canyon.
3. Pine View, 2-1: Beat Park City 41-40
Revenge is a dish best served on a Friday night. It wasn't total payback, although that could come in a 4A 2020 playoff rematch.
2. Cedar, 2-1: Beat Taylorsville 57-19
Braxtan Torres has emerged as a favorite and speedy target for Jaron Garrett. The duo can be major trouble if they can perfect the timing on Garrett's deep ball.
1. Snow Canyon, 2-0: Beat Morgan 24-13
After blanking Cyprus, Snow Canyon's 24-point output against Morgan could probably be attributed to a combination of the Trojans' skill and the Warriors' rust after having the week off.
Next up:
Region 9 play is on deck. Pine View hosts Desert Hills, Dixie hosts Hurricane, Snow Canyon hosts Canyon View and Cedar hosts Crimson Cliffs.
The preseason's over. Now, the games count in the hunt to claim Pine View's Region 9 crown.
Chris Kwiecinski covers Region 9, Dixie State and Southern Utah athletics for The Spectrum. Follow him on Twitter @OchoK_, and contact him at CKwiecinsk@thespectrum.com, or (435) 414-3261.
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After Review: Enterprise's one-handed stunner, Pine View's heroics and other things I saw in week 3 - The Spectrum
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