There's no doubt which teams were the best in Utah County football this past season.
The Timpview Thunderbirds rolled over teams in Region 7 and then did the same to every opponent they faced in the playoffs, en route to their second straight 4A championship.
The American Fork Cavemen earned a share of the Region 4 crown and then made an impressive run to the semifinals of the 5A tournament, where they gave the Layton Lancers all they could handle before finally bowing out at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
A big reason for the success of these two teams is the talent and depth each had in personnel. At least we think so. That's why the Deseret Morning News All-Utah Valley football team is dominated by players from both teams. The Thunderbirds have 12 players on the All-Utah Valley team, which is the most ever by far. Timpview's line this season, on both sides of the ball, was among the best ever. The Cavemen have five players who earned the honor.
Most years, our most valuable player comes from the best team. This year, however, it's hard to ignore the record-setting performance from not only the best quarterback in Utah Valley, but the state. He had a season and career that will be etched in school history and Utah prep history for years to come.
Most valuable player
MVP — CHRISTIAN STEWART, QB, Timpanogos: The milestones this gunslinger, who threw for more than 3,500 yards this season, surpassed are many. He's first all time in the state with four TD passes per game and with 44 TD passes in a season. He also holds the state mark in averaging 320 yards passing per game this season. He's second all-time with 6,431 career passing yards and third all-time with 63 career TD passes. He was top 5 in the nation this season for 12 consecutive weeks in passing yards per game and TD passes per game. Overall, he's in the top 5 in 12 Utah record passing categories and he holds Timpanogos' passing marks in every passing statistic.
Offense
JUSTIN JENSEN, OL, American Fork: When considering play on both sides of the ball, this 6-foot-6 300-pounder was the valley's top lineman. A great stopper and a great blocker.
GREG UNGA, OL, Timpview: Not only the strongest lineman in the valley, but possibly the best in fundamentals. Timpview's runners had huge holes to run through behind him.
XAVIER SU'A FILO, OL, Timpview: Some consider this 6-foot-4 270-pound junior to be the top lineman in the state, or at least he will be by next season. Excellent run and pass blocker.
TUI CRIGHTON, OL, Timpview: There's good reason colleges are after this 6-foot-4 280-pound junior. He has good fundamentals, has excellent feet and is very quick for a big guy.
TUCKER LAMB, RB, Orem: Just all-around good. Had more than 1,600 all-purpose yards and scored 22 TDs. Also had 72 tackles as a linebacker with two interceptions and two sacks.
CHRIS WERNLI, RB, American Fork: The Cavemen's big-play guy had several huge runs and returns. Lightning fast at hitting the hole, he scored 15 rushing TDs and averaged almost eight yards per carry.
TAYLOR LYONS, RB, Timpanogos: Possibly the fastest and most exciting player in the state. Led 5A with almost 2,100 all-purpose yards. Scored nine TDs catching the ball, nine rushing the ball and three on returns.
LEROY UNGA, RB, Payson: The Lions power back rushed for 1,255 yards and nine TDs. His rushing average was nearly six yards per carry. Also played a vital role on Payson's defense.
MARK ERCANBRACK, WR, Timpview: Many believe this T-Bird is the top receiver in Utah. Ended year with 73 catches for 1,368 yards and 15 TDs. Averaged 18.7 yards per catch. Also had almost 900 return yards.
DALLIN NAULU, WR, Spanish Fork: One of the quickest and more reliable receivers in the valley, which made the Dons' quick-strike passing game very effective. Had 72 catches and seven TD receptions.
GRANT JIMENEZ, WR, Timpanogos: Stewart's main target. Top 10 in nation for receptions for 12 straight weeks and was among Utah's best with 71 catches, 1,303 receiving yards and 14 TD receptions.
QUINN MECHAM, QB, Timpview: The decision-maker in the T-Birds' spread offense completed 172 of 261 passes for 2,735 yards and 25 TDs.
Defense
BRONSON KAUFUSI, DL, Timpview: A ferocious force on the D-line with 57 tackles, eight sacks and one interception — which he returned for a touchdown.
KEVIN BILLS, DL, Timpview: A roving linebacker/defensive end, this senior had 59 tackles with 18 of those coming behind the line of scrimmage. Also had two sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
VILIAMI HALISIMA, DL, Timpview: A quick defender who was a challenge to block. Teams ran away from him, but he still finished with 39 tackles and three sacks.
DAVID KRUGER, DL, Timpanogos: Big, strong and fast. Led valley with 10 sacks. Also had 48 solo tackles and 59 assisted tackles. On the other side, caught two TD passes as a tight end.
GREG MAY, LB, Mountain View: Led the Bruins' surprising season with 82 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles and four interceptions. On offense, had 1,950 total yards, with 34 receptions and a total of seven TDs.
ROBBIE LUSK, LB, American Fork: Top tackler in Region 4 with 128. Also had one interception and six sacks. As a fullback, scored 11 times for the Cavemen. Named Region 4 MVP.
DOMINIQUE MOE, LB, Timpview: The main force on Timpview's defense. Very fast at chasing down runners and plugging holes. Had a team-high 83 tackles and six sacks.
MICHAEL ALISA, LB, Timpview: A talented player on both sides. Had four interceptions and three sacks. As a running back, scored six TDs for the T-Birds.
LESEAN WILCOX, DB, Pleasant Grove: Talented in every aspect. A solid tackler and pass defender and hard for receivers to shake. Had two interceptions. Also averaged nearly six yards per carry and scored nine TDs.
JAKE MURPHY, DB, American Fork: Worthy selection on both sides of the ball. Great sense in coverage and solid tackler. Had three picks and 58 tackles. As a receiver, had 41 receptions and 13 TDs.
CRAIG BILLS, DB, Timpview: Top recruited defensive back in Utah. Had 34 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, picked off three passes and returned two for TDs.
JORDAN DUCKETT, DB, Timpview: Teams didn't throw his way because he was one of the best corner coverage guys in the state. Picked off three passes and had 35 tackles.
Special teams
EDDIE HOLLOWAY, PK, American Fork: Just a strong and reliable leg. Consistently kicked the ball out of the end zone on kick-offs. Had four field goals longer than 30 yards, with a longest of 53 yards.
JON HESS, K, Lone Peak: A very powerful leg. Averaged 37.9 yards per punt and had six punts downed inside the 10-yard line.
JORDAN LOWRY, KR, Lone Peak: The Knights' top all-around player. Had nearly 200 return yards, rushed for 766 yards, had 148 receiving yards and scored seven TDs.
Best of the rest
Lone Peak — Chase Stilson, Chase Cook; Pleasant Grove — Colter Peacock, Brian Schonbeck; Lehi — Dylan Stadel, Jason Demke, Chris Searle; American Fork — Marcus Cramer, Kyle Sumsion, Zach Enosa, Siosifa Militoni; Timpanogos — Matt Harris, Jordan Mehlhoff, Rhett Reiser, Kevin Schade; Spanish Fork — Richard Wilson, Breck Lewis, Matt Gardner; Springville — Ben Doxey, Kyle Pope, Cameron Comer; Payson — Jeff DeGraffenried, Brock Peery; Provo — Cameron Meyer, Tyler Nelson; Orem — Steve Warner, Alec Cusick, Josh Hamblin, Luke Vanisi; Mountain View — Anthony Heimuli, Marcus Draper, Nate Stroshine, Bronson Taylor; Timpview — Vaughn Greening, Jerom Patterson, Levi Te'o, Cameron Shumway, Clayton Case, Blake McKenzie, Spencer Tipa, Benji Bright
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com