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Home > Archive > Apr 10, 2008

Snow Canyon, Pine View to Play Key Game
By Layne Roberts
April 11, Snow Canyon will visit Pine View in what is arguably the most important game for both teams all season.
The game will be the fourth 4A-Region 9 game in 11 days (as they played two against Dixie last week), and it will be the second of four 4A-Region 9 games in 11 days for Pine View (they play Dixie next week).
Considering each team only plays six of the season-deciding 4A-region games only adds to the intrigue. 
Because only two of the three schools will qualify for the playoffs, each team knows four wins will secure them a birth in the playoffs. Anything less and they may be pinning their playoff hopes on another team losing the final week of the season, which both coaches admitted would be disappointing.
Furthermore, as of last Sunday, the Panthers and Warriors were ranked first and third in the state, respectively.
Tomorrow’s game will represent an opportunity for the Panthers to continue to build momentum for next week’s games against Dixie or an opportunity at the least to split the series with the Warriors. For the Warriors, the game will either be their opportunity to regain control of their own fate, or keep their playoff hopes alive.
“It works a little both ways. If you have a couple of losses, momentum may be against you. If that happens, you may have a greater sense of urgency,” Panthers head coach Jonathan Howell said.
The Panthers and Warriors have played well as of late, compiling records of 11-1 and 9-3 (at press time) respectively.
Last Tuesday, the Warriors were defeated for the first time in 10 games, losing 1-3 at Dixie.
“It is hard taking a 9-game winning streak into games that matter as much as these do,” Warriors head coach Reed Secrist said of his four consecutive 4A-Region 9 games, “because you know at some point, winning streaks are going to come to end.”
Another factor in the game will be the pitching matchups.
Last week, the Warriors decided to rest junior Jesse Prestwich on Tuesday’s game at Dixie, and the Warriors may do the same this week. Thus, Prestwich and Panthers’ Nate Littlewood, who allowed one run in a complete game last Tuesday against Hurricane, may not face each other in tomorrow’s game.
Both teams also score runs a little differently too.
“We have hit our share of homeruns so far,” Howell said with a smile, referring to his team’s 16 long balls this year.
Not surprisingly, the Panthers also score the most runs in state – nearly 10 a game.
Although both schools are known for having great pitching, the Warriors allow 3.83 runs each game, a half of a run better than Pine View.
There should not be many surprises when it comes to strategy between the coaches. Not only have both coaches competed for years, they also coach together for a Little League team their sons play on.
“All of us have tendencies and individual philosophies. … Yeah, we will change a little bit year to year based on personnel, but there are not a whole lot of secrets. It is all about who is going to execute the best on that given night,” Howell said.
“I have gotten to know him real well. He is a competitor, and he won’t back down from anything,” Secrist said.
Both coaches also stressed the importance of playing at home, especially in baseball.
“Playing at home is huge. It is where the players have batting practice. They know how the field works. There are different things about different fields that you may not be used to,” Secrist said.
Tomorrow’s game is at 7 p.m. at Pine View.

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