Region games are now well underway for all Northern Utah high school football teams.

The sixth week of games — we’re already in the back half of the regular season and the calendar hasn’t changed to autumn yet — is headlined by a Region 5 clash between Bonneville and Bountiful.

More highlights in this week’s schedule include an enticing Region 1 matchup between Farmington and Layton, plus Bear River’s first home game of the season.

Last week’s prediction record: 11-2. Season record: 58-15

KEARNS at ROY

Tonight, KJZZ TV

The big highlight of this Thursday TV game is that Roy High is recognizing Erik Thompson at halftime in his fight against ALS. Thompson is a Roy alumnus who’s now the head coach at Ogden, but was a longtime coach at Northridge with current RHS coach Fred Fernandes.

In the game itself, Roy (3-2, 1-1 Region 2) is facing a better team than it did in last week’s physical 19-8 loss against West. Kearns has won or shared the last four Region 2 titles and already owns an impressive win over Herriman this season. Prediction: Kearns

WEBER at CLEARFIELD

Lately, this series hasn’t been close with Weber (3-2, 2-0 Region 1) taking the last six matchups against Clearfield (1-4, 0-2) by an average of 24.7 points. Prediction: Weber

OGDEN at UNION

Union started the season an ice-cold 0-3, but has since won its last two by a combined 89-19 so the Cougars look good. But Ogden has a few more playmakers to run with in the teams’ 3A North region opener. Prediction: Ogden

BONNEVILLE at BOUNTIFUL

The two teams many coaches thought would finish first and second in Region 5 this year collide in a game that should be close — Bountiful’s (2-2, 1-0 Region 5) four games have been decided by 24 total points — and looks more and more like a “first one to 20 points, wins” type of meeting. Bonneville’s (2-3, 1-0 Region 5) offense has improved every game so far and faces a massive test. Prediction: Bonneville

BEN LOMOND at GRANTSVILLE

Ben Lomond is off the mat heading into its 3A North region opener after a shutout win at Judge Memorial last week in which the Scots (1-4) got their legs under them a little. But Grantsville (3-2), which is 11 points from being 5-0, isn’t a region contender for nothing. Prediction: Grantsville

LEHI at FREMONT

Fremont (3-2) fills its region bye week with a game that, on paper, should be close against a team that also looks to be squarely in the middle of its state classification. The home team probably has the edge here but, either way, the Silverwolves will be helped in the RPI by playing Lehi, which will have high strength-of-schedule metrics by the end of the year. Prediction: Fremont

FARMINGTON at LAYTON

At the start of the season, this game didn’t look like it would feature Region 1 contenders. Now, there are five or six region contenders including the Phoenix (2-3, 1-1 Region 1) and Lancers (4-1, 2-0). Expect a lot of points. Prediction: Layton

SYRACUSE at DAVIS

Syracuse’s (4-1, 0-1 Region 1) defense should be able to handle Davis (2-3, 0-1) no matter if the Darts have their starting quarterback Easton Baggett playing or if backup Jackson Stevens will get the nod like last week. Prediction: Syracuse

NORTHRIDGE at WOODS CROSS

The computers say Northridge (4-1, 1-0 Region 5) wins this by anywhere from two to four points, which might be surprising given Northridge’s record and Woods Cross’ (0-5, 0-1) record. Strength-of-schedule differences mean that WX is better than its record indicates and might be coming along defensively. The Knights, though, can’t stop scoring points lately whether passing or running. Prediction: Northridge

BOX ELDER at VIEWMONT

Whoever can stop the other team’s dual-threat quarterback — Viewmont’s (2-3, 0-1 Region 5) Luke Jacobs and Box Elder’s (1-4, 0-1) Cooper Stevenson —  probably gets the leg up in this game. Prediction: Viewmont

LOGAN at BEAR RIVER

At long last, Bear River (0-5, 0-1 Region 11) gets a home game and it comes after the Bears went toe-to-toe with Sky View for three-plus quarters last week. Good energy is flowing up north. The Bears are this week’s upset pick. Prediction: Bear River

JUAN DIEGO at MORGAN

Juan Diego suddenly appears to be a powerhouse again, with wins against Skyline (52-30), Taylorsville (58-0) and even perennial power East (43-22). Morgan (3-2) has been very good against the run this year and has a good chance of keeping JD’s running attack in check just enough in the teams’ 3A North region opener. Prediction: Morgan

RICH at LAYTON CHRISTIAN

The transitive property says it all for Layton Christian (3-2) in this week’s 1A North region opener, which kicks at 4 p.m. Friday. The Eagles beat Gunnison 50-7 last week and Gunnison beat Rich 54-13 earlier this season. Prediction: LCA

Newsletter