The 2017 3A High School Football State Championship Tournament will get underway with two first round games on Wednesday, followed by the final two games on Thursday.

Operating under the first year format of a play-in round, Wednesday’s action will feature Carbon on the road against Juan Diego, while Union plays host to North Sanpete. Thursday’s action includes Emery on the road against Richfield, and Judge Memorial against Manti. Morgan, Grantsville, Summit Academy and Juab received byes.

When the final realignments were set for the current season the 3A classification adapted a new football playoff format that involves all 12 schools. The change gives the top two seeds from each division a bye into the second round, while the No. 3 and 4 seeds meet the No. 5 and 6 seeds from the opposite division.

The change was brought in part because of the 2016 season when Juan Diego and Canyon View played in the final regular season game, only to play in the opening round of the playoffs the following week. Grantsville and Delta also played each other in back-to-back weeks to end the season, sparking the idea of a change in format.

After finishing in a three-way tie at the top of the 3A South, Juan Diego lost the coin flip to Juab and Summit Academy, making the Soarin’ Eagles the No. 3 seed. Carbon enters Wednesday’s playoff contest winless at 0-9 on the season.

The Union Cougars will enter the tournament looking to rebound from a loss to Morgan in the final week of the regular season. The Cougars had an opportunity to potentially win the 3A North, but the loss dropped the team to No. 3, pairing them with a winless North Sanpete squad.

Thursday’s action will provide a rematch of week one between Emery and Richfield. A highly entertaining season opener favored Richfield late as they escaped with a 21-14 home win. Emery enters the tournament as the No. 5 seed from the North with a 1-4 record, while Richfield is the No. 4 seed from the South at 2-3.

The final first round matchup will pit Judge Memorial, the No. 4 seed from the North, against Manti, the No. 5 seed from the South. Judge finished divisional play at 2-3, while Manti ended at 1-4. Both teams defeated common opponents Emery and Carbon, but suffered losses to Summit Academy.

The new format replaced the 10th week of the regular season, which was often used for 3A North and 3A South schools to meet in an exhibition contest before the playoffs. The higher seeds host the first two rounds of playoff action and the semifinals and championship remain at a neutral site.