If you’re a local Utah high school football fan, you already know the buzz around the crimson cliffs vs desert hills football rivalry is unmatched every fall. These two southern Utah programs have built one of the most heated small-school matchups in the state, with every game carrying playoff seeding weight, bragging rights for the whole county, and even college scout attention for top junior and senior players. I’ve been covering this rivalry for 7 years, sitting in the stands for every matchup since 2017, and I can tell you no two games between these teams ever go the way you expect on paper.
Crimson Cliffs vs Desert Hills Football: Rivalry History and Past Matchup Recaps
The rivalry kicked off in 2016, when Crimson Cliffs High School opened its doors to serve the growing western edge of Washington County. The new school pulled roughly 40% of its student body from Desert Hills’ existing attendance zone, splitting friend groups, youth football teams, and even families overnight. The first matchup that year drew a crowd of over 5,000 fans, more than double the average attendance for other regional high school games that season. Desert Hills dominated that first game 35-7, but the energy in the stadium made it clear this wasn’t going to be just another regular season game.
Desert Hills won the first three matchups in the series, but the tide started to turn in 2019, when Crimson Cliffs picked up its first win with a 28-24 last-second comeback. Since then, Crimson Cliffs has taken 4 of the last 6 matchups, including a 21-17 upset last year that knocked Desert Hills out of playoff contention. I still remember the final drive of last year’s game, where Crimson Cliffs quarterback Jace Redd threw a 32-yard touchdown on 4th and 10 with 12 seconds left. The entire away section stormed the field, and you could hear the cheers from 3 miles away in downtown St. George. Desert Hills holds a 7-5 all-time series edge, but Crimson Cliffs has won 3 straight home matchups dating back to 2021.
Key Players to Watch in the Next Matchup
Both teams have rosters stacked with talent this year, but a handful of players will have an outsized impact on the final score. For Crimson Cliffs, all eyes are on senior running back Luka Finau, who’s averaging 112 rushing yards per game so far this season. He’s scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game this season, and he’s averaging 6.8 yards per carry against Desert Hills across his career. Finau isn’t just a threat on offense, either. He plays special teams too, and he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns earlier this season. Desert Hills’ special teams coach told me earlier this week they’re planning to kick away from him as much as possible to avoid giving up easy big plays.
On defense, senior linebacker Tyson Hayes is the heart of Crimson Cliffs’ unit. He’s a three-year starter, and he knows Desert Hills’ offensive scheme better than almost anyone, since he played on youth teams with half of their offensive starters when they were younger. That familiarity lets him read plays faster than most linebackers in the region, which is a huge advantage for the Crimson Cliffs defense. For Desert Hills, junior quarterback Kade Olsen is the engine of their high-powered passing attack. He’s thrown for 1800 yards this year, with 21 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. His top target, senior wide receiver Noah Carter, has 48 catches for 890 yards this year, and he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Carter had 12 catches for 172 yards in the teams’ 2022 matchup, so Crimson Cliffs’ secondary will have their hands full containing him.
One wild card to watch is Desert Hills’ freshman kicker, Mia Torres. She’s made 12 of 14 field goals this year, including a 47-yarder last month that set a state record for female kickers. If the game comes down to a last-second field goal, she’s as reliable as they come.
Game Day Tips for Fans Attending the Matchup
Whether you’re rooting for Crimson Cliffs or Desert Hills, following these simple tips will make sure you have the best possible experience at the game, no matter the final score. Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and the stadium usually sells out 45 minutes early, so you’ll want to plan to arrive well ahead of time if you want a good seat. The home side changes every year, so double check your ticket to make sure you enter through the right gate to avoid getting turned away by security.
If you can’t make it to the game in person, it’s broadcast live on the local southern Utah sports radio station, and streamed for free on the district’s athletics website. Just note that the stream usually lags 2-3 minutes behind live play, so you’ll want to avoid social media if you don’t want to see spoilers before you watch the key plays. If you’re planning to bet on the crimson cliffs vs desert hills football game, we recommend sticking to a small bet, as upsets are extremely common in this matchup.
Expert Predictions for the Upcoming Faceoff
On paper, this year’s matchup is one of the closest in the rivalry’s history. Crimson Cliffs has a stronger run game and top-tier run defense, while Desert Hills has a far more dangerous passing attack and more experienced secondary. Weather is also a big factor this year: the forecast calls for 15-20 mph winds on game day, which will make long passes much harder for Desert Hills’ quarterback to pull off consistently.
Crimson Cliffs’ biggest weakness is its passing game, which ranks in the bottom third of the region for completion percentage. If their run game gets shut down early, they’ll struggle to put up points on offense. For Desert Hills, their biggest flaw is their run defense, which has given up over 150 rushing yards per game in their last three matchups. If they can’t slow down Finau, they’ll have a hard time keeping Crimson Cliffs off the scoreboard. Our prediction has Crimson Cliffs winning 24-21, thanks to their dominant run game and ability to control the clock to limit Desert Hills’ offensive possessions.
That said, I’ve been wrong before with this rivalry. In 2020, Desert Hills was a 14-point underdog and won by 17 thanks to 4 forced turnovers on defense. You can never count either team out when they’re playing for cross-town bragging rights, and the pressure of the rivalry often makes players step up way beyond their usual performance levels.
At the end of the day, the crimson cliffs vs desert hills football rivalry is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about community, student memories, and celebrating the hard work all these young athletes put in during months of off-season training and weekly practice. No matter who walks away with the win this year, you’re guaranteed to see a hard-fought, exciting game that lives up to the hype of one of Utah’s best small-school football rivalries.