The 2020 Deseret News high school football MVPs were the catalysts to great things for their respective teams this season.
Two were dominant linemen in the trenches, while a third was a dual-threat quarterback that never lost as a starter. Another was a wide receiver who showed unmatched consistency on the state’s best team, while the last was a two-way player that ended a decadeslong state title drought for his team.
Regardless of how they got the job done, they were all among the best players in Utah during the 2020 season.
This year’s five MVPs are Corner Canyon’s Noah Kjar, Orem’s Kingsley Suamatai’a, Sky View’s Kason Carlsen, Juab’s Trey Lund and Beaver’s Jake Eichorn.
6A MVP
Noah Kjar, Corner Canyon
Over the past four seasons — but especially in 2020 — Noah Kjar’s consistency at wide receiver has helped elevate Corner Canyon to the most dominant high school football team in Utah, and it’s not really even close with a 51-1 record over that span.
“His consistency was probably the most important part for our team, the ability to find spots or get open consistently, giving us a target or someone we can throw to,” said Corner Canyon coach Eric Kjar.
He finished the year with a whopping 97 catches for 1,918 yards and 22 touchdowns, with a 19.8 yards per catch average.
His 1,911 yards is second only in state history to Orem’s Puka Nacua, who he also finished second to in career receiving yards (4,935) and career TD catches (50).
Kjar sits atop the all-time receptions list though with 285 catches.
“(Noah’s) durability and consistency through that has helped help him. He’s never missed a start in four years and he’s only missed a handful of practices in that time.” — Corner Canyon coach Eric Kjar
“His durability and consistency through that has helped help him. He’s never missed a start in four years and he’s only missed a handful of practices in that time,” said Eric Kjar.
His hasn’t committed collegiately yet, but has an offer to Weber State and preferred walk-on offers to multiple Pac-12 schools.
Kjar’s consistency began as a freshman as he tried to follow in the footsteps of Jordan receiver Spencer Curtis, who his dad coached when he was the coach there.
Witnessing Curtis’ work helped lay the foundation for his own great things over the next four years.
“He’s a pretty fiery guy and likes to compete every day, and gets after it in practice which is going to make you better. In games he’s ready to get after it all the time, you never have to wait for him to get going,” said Eric Kjar.
5A MVP
Kingsley Suamatai’a, Orem
There’s been a unifying thread throughout Orem’s four consecutive state championships, offensive lineman Kingsley Suamatai’a.
A second team all-stater his freshman and sophomore year as Orem obliterated 4A competition, Suamatai’a has been the dominant lineman in 5A each of the past two seasons and this year was the catalyst to Orem’s run to another state championship.
“(Kingsley’s) found success because of his ability to turn that switch on and off as needed. Excelling in the classroom and dominating on the football field.” — Orem interim coach Gabe Sewell
Orem interim coach Gabe Sewell summed up the Oregon commit in two words, “Absolutely dominant.”
“Now off the field is a different story. He’s a very quiet, humble and respectful young man who tries his best to fly under the radar because he doesn’t like attention. He’s found success because of his ability to turn that switch on and off as needed. Excelling in the classroom and dominating on the football field,” said Sewell.
He recorded 70 pancake blocks this season and didn’t allow a sack. He finished his career with 51 career starts and a 16-0 record in the playoffs.
At 6-foot-6 and 309 pounds, he has the frame to excel at the college level and potentially beyond if he continues his upward trajectory.
4A MVP
Kason Carlsen, Sky View
Kason Carlsen epitomized the phrase of doing whatever was necessary to win. Whether it was getting the job done with his arms or legs, after Carlsen took over as Sky View’s starting quarterback early last season his team never lost a game.
That included a 13-0 record this season and a repeat state championship.
Carlsen finished the season completing 147 of 243 passes for 2,309 yards and 26 touchdowns. On the ground he added 600 yards and 11 more scores.
“Kason has been an unbelievable leader for us since he took over as the starter last year. He has a great understanding of our offense and knows exactly where everyone is supposed to be.” — Sky View coach Chris Howell
“Kason has been an unbelievable leader for us since he took over as the starter last year. He has a great understanding of our offense and knows exactly where everyone is supposed to be. He does a great job of making adjustments and getting us in the right play,” said Sky View coach Chris Howell.
Only four times during the season did Carlsen attempt more than 20 passes, that just wasn’t Sky View’s most efficient way to win. He was effective when called upon, throwing for a pair of TD passes in the state championship game, but his legs were more necessary in that title game. He carried the ball a season-high 35 times in that championship game for 97 yards and two more scores.
“Kason is extremely tough mentally and physically and that toughness permeates our team. Every week Kason understood what we needed him to do. Sometimes it was passing, other times it was running. Whatever it was he knew it and was able to execute at a high level,” said Howell.
3A MVP
Trey Lund, Juab
Juab’s first football state championship in school history this season was decades in the making, and there was no way running back/safety Trey Lund was going to miss out.
Lund suffered a very painful torn labrum in the playoffs, but played through the pain in the semifinals and championship.
“He was able to play in the semis and state game with a brace and played really well. He had to undergo surgery after the season so he is an extremely tough kid that didn’t want to let his team down by not playing,” said Juab coach Mike Bowring.
“Trey was a great leader for us this year on both sides of the ball. He had the ability to run the ball but also had great hands and we were able to throw the ball to him.” — Juab coach Mike Bowring
Lund was Juab’s go-to guy on offense, finishing the season rushing for 824 yards and 10 touchdowns in a balanced offensive scheme. He probably could’ve doubled that production in a more featured role, but after Juab lost in last year’s state championship game the only thing Lund cared about this year was a state title.
“Trey was a great leader for us this year on both sides of the ball. He had the ability to run the ball but also had great hands and we were able to throw the ball to him,” said Bowring.
Before the state championship game, Bowring said he saw Lund going around the locker room hugging all of his teammates, including the freshman and sophomores who knew they wouldn’t play.
“I think this tells you the kind or kid Trey is. We will certainly miss him,” said Bowring.
2A MVP
Jake Eichorn, Beaver
It’s not often football players from 2A get an opportunity to go on and play college football, but Beaver senior Jake Eichorn isn’t your typical football player either.
At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, he dominated the trenches for Beaver this season in leading the team to a second straight state championship.
“Jake is one of the best, if not the best, lineman we have had come through our program. He worked extra hard this year to get bigger, stronger and better and it showed on the field. His attitude and aggressiveness was hard to match.” — Beaver coach Jon Marshall
“Jake is one of the best, if not the best, lineman we have had come through our program. He worked extra hard this year to get bigger, stronger and better and it showed on the field. His attitude and aggressiveness was hard to match,” said Beaver coach Jon Marshall.
With Eichorn leading the way, Beaver’s defense was very different for teams to run on and then offensively he helped plow the way as Beaver rushed for 4,500 yards this season.
“It seemed like it didn’t matter who we had running the ball this year with Jake and the rest of our offensive line’s dominance on the line of scrimmage. Jake and our offensive line set the tone for us on offense,” said Marshall.
“We have so many great skill guys on our team but the play of Jake and our offensive line is what set us apart from other teams.”
Eichorn will have an opportunity to play at the next level as he committed to Weber State this week.