Here’s a look at the eight 4A first round games this Friday.
No. 17 Murray at No. 16 East
East’s stunning midseason turnaround began with a victory over Murray. Now the Leopards must defeat the Spartans again to continue their unlikely playoff push.
The 16th-seeded Leopards (4-6, 4-1 Region 6) host 17th-seeded Murray (5-4, 2-3) on Friday in a 4A first-round matchup between Region 6 rivals who met just six weeks ago. East prevailed 57-34 in that September contest — a breakthrough performance that sparked the Leopards’ remarkable revival after an 0-5 start to the season.
Before facing Murray the first time, East had been outscored 226-0 in its first five games and didn’t score its first points until the final minute of that fifth defeat. Since beating the Spartans, the Leopards have won four of their last five games, averaging 51.8 points per contest during that stretch.
Murray enters the playoffs looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Skyline 45-17 in its regular-season finale. The Spartans started the season 5-2 before dropping their final two games.
The Spartans’ offense revolves around the passing attack of quarterback Phil Holland, who has thrown for 1,803 yards and 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions this season. Holland’s favorite target is Carson Davis, who has hauled in 35 receptions for 555 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns. Evan Talbot adds another deep threat with 40 catches for 565 yards and three scores.
Murray’s ground game is paced by Mckade Eardley, who has rushed for 624 yards and five touchdowns on 164 carries. Cruz Gardner has contributed 160 yards and two touchdowns, while Dax Jensen adds 130 yards and a score.
East’s offense is directed by quarterback Dru Reuss, with Joseph Cooley, Asaeli Otukolo and Karmelo Tuamoheloa serving as his primary targets. Cooley has scored four touchdowns this season, while Otukolo has reached the end zone twice and Tuamoheloa once.
For Murray, Dax Jensen leads the defense with 59 tackles and three interceptions, including a return touchdown. Evan Talbot (48 tackles, four sacks) and Jacob Cushing (42 tackles, three sacks) anchor the front seven, while King Yom has added 31 tackles and two interceptions in the secondary.
The winner advances to face top-seeded Ridgeline (9-0) in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 24 Juan Diego at No. 9 Sky View
Two programs meeting for the first time clash Friday when Sky View hosts Juan Diego in a 4A first-round playoff matchup that features contrasting regular-season journeys.
The ninth-seeded Bobcats (6-4, 5-2 Region 11) welcome the 24th-seeded Soaring Eagle (2-8, 1-5 Region 10) in what shapes up as one of the more lopsided first-round matchups. Sky View tied for second in what many consider 4A’s toughest region, while Juan Diego struggled in one of the classification’s weaker conferences.
Sky View enters the postseason having won two straight games, including a 55-27 victory over Tooele in the regular-season finale. The Bobcats’ region losses came against top-seeded Ridgeline (60-26) and Stansbury, though they rebounded to win their final two regular-season contests.
Juan Diego limps into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, surrendering at least 42 points in each of those defeats. The Soaring Eagle’s lone region win came against Cottonwood (35-6) on Sept. 18, and they’ve allowed an average of 53.0 points over their last four contests.
Sky View’s high-powered offense is directed by quarterback Jack Clark, who has thrown for 3,145 yards and 33 touchdowns while completing 64.7% of his passes. His favorite target has been Zachary Oxborrow, who has hauled in 70 receptions for 1,055 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lincoln Ballard adds 54 catches for 574 yards and six scores, while Cooper Karren has contributed 37 receptions for 600 yards and five touchdowns.
The Bobcats’ ground game is led by Xander Stokes, who has rushed for 334 yards and nine touchdowns on 105 carries. Clark provides an additional threat with his legs, rushing for 182 yards and five scores on 38 attempts.
Juan Diego counters with a run-heavy attack spearheaded by One Vea, who has accumulated 712 yards and 10 touchdowns on 115 carries. Oscar Rodriquez adds 461 yards and six scores on 81 attempts. Quarterback Jacoby Ahlstrom has thrown for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns, with Braylon Fail serving as his primary target. Fail has recorded 41 receptions for 871 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensively, Sky View is anchored by Andrew Oxborrow (70 tackles) and Ollie Collins (59 tackles, three sacks). Mason Marchant (44 tackles, three sacks), Brett Carling (43 tackles) and Ryan Bates (41 tackles) provide additional support for a unit that has held five opponents to 17 points or fewer.
Juan Diego’s defense features Kysen Dowland (70 tackles), Kynoa Jaeger (61 tackles) and Garang Deng (54 tackles). Kingston Taban has added 42 tackles.
The winner advances to face eighth-seeded Park City in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 20 Dixie at No. 13 Highland
Highland exceeded expectations during a quality regular season, a trend it looks to continue when it hosts Dixie in Friday’s 4A first-round playoff game.
The 13th-seeded Rams (6-3, 6-0 Region 10) welcome the 20th-seeded Flyers (2-7, 0-5 Region 9) in what will be the first-ever meeting between these programs. Highland enters the postseason on a seven-game winning streak after dropping its first two contests, while Dixie is looking to shake off a three-game slide to end the regular season.
Highland secured its playoff position by running the table in Region 10 play, outscoring opponents by an average margin of 35.8 to 8.0 points per game during its undefeated region campaign. The Rams have been particularly strong over their last four games, averaging 35.8 points while allowing just 10 points per contest.
Dixie started its season with mixed results, going 2-4 through its first six games, including a victory over Desert Hills in region play. The Flyers have struggled in their last three games, falling to Crimson Cliffs and Snow Canyon to close out the regular season.
Highland’s attack has been balanced and efficient throughout the season, with quarterback Brody Dalton throwing for 10 touchdowns.
The Rams feature a potent ground game led by Vili Ripley, who has scored five touchdowns, and Manase Wolfgramm, who has added three rushing scores. Zamiri Vaughn has been the primary target in the passing game with four touchdown receptions, while Jackson Folau has contributed two touchdown catches and another score on the ground.
Dixie counters with an offense centered around quarterback Deacon Virgin, who has thrown for 2,008 yards and eight touchdowns while being intercepted 11 times. Tano Anzalone has been Virgin’s favorite target with 48 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns, while Chaz Holbrook has added 22 catches for 371 yards and three scores.
The Flyers’ rushing attack is led by Kasel Berezay (178 yards, three TDs), Jayson Malufau (163 yards, two TDs) and Troy Malufau (91 yards, three TDs).
Dixie’s defense features Jayson Malufau (90 tackles, one sack) and Isaiah Johnson (71 tackles, one sack). Kasel Berezay (55 tackles, one sack) and Troy Malufau (40 tackles) have also been key contributors for a Flyers unit that has struggled to get stops during their current losing streak.
The winner advances to face fourth-seeded Hurricane in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 21 Mountain View at No. 12 Salem Hills
Salem Hills is peaking at the perfect time heading into Thursday’s 4A first-round playoff matchup against Mountain View.
The 12th-seeded SkyHawks (6-3, 3-2 Region 8) carry a three-game winning streak into the postseason, outscoring opponents 132-42 during that stretch. Their offense has been explosive in recent weeks, culminating in a dominant 48-7 victory over Bonneville in the regular-season finale.
Salem Hills already owns a decisive win over the 21st-seeded Bruins (3-6, 1-4) this season, having defeated Mountain View 42-7 on Oct. 9 in Region 8 play. The SkyHawks finished third in their region while Mountain View placed fifth.
Quarterback Ryder Hales directs Salem Hills’ balanced attack, having thrown for 2,312 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. His primary targets include Peyton Higginson (33 catches, 464 yards, five TDs), Gordon Wilson (27 receptions, 448 yards), and Joe Hughes (25 catches, 323 yards, four TDs).
The SkyHawks complement their passing game with a strong rushing attack led by Treygan Fusselman (534 yards, four TDs) and Benjamin Staheli (478 yards, six TDs). Hales has contributed five rushing touchdowns, making him a dual-threat concern for opposing defenses.
Defensively, Salem Hills is anchored by linebacker Sam Bradford, who leads the team with 101 tackles. The secondary has been opportunistic with four players — Peyton Higginson, Jake Polson, Benjamin Staheli and Gordon Wilson — recording two interceptions each. Steven Taylor leads the pass rush with five sacks.
Mountain View counters with quarterback Tate Johnson, who has thrown for 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions. His favorite target is Hyrum Stafford, who has hauled in 10 touchdown receptions while adding five rushing scores. Briggy Moses has contributed four touchdown catches for the Bruins’ offense.
The Bruins’ defense is led by Ratu Malungahu, Jude Harris and Carter Trapnell.
The winner advances to face fifth-seeded Provo (6-4) in the second round on Oct. 31. Provo defeated both teams during the regular season, including a 49-25 win over Salem Hills and a 69-7 victory against Mountain View.
No. 18 Bear River at No. 15 Timpanogos
Bear River and Timpanogos are set for a playoff rematch with eerily familiar circumstances as the two programs meet Thursday in a 4A first-round contest.
The 18th-seeded Bears (3-7, 1-6 Region 11) travel to face the 15th-seeded Timberwolves (4-5, 2-3 Region 8) in a matchup that mirrors last year’s first-round pairing. In that 2024 contest, Bear River pulled off a 23-17 upset on Timpanogos’ home field, with quarterback Jaxson Theurer throwing two touchdown passes to power the Bears to victory.
Both teams enter this year’s rematch looking to salvage challenging seasons. Bear River has struggled against a difficult Region 11 schedule, dropping six consecutive games after starting 3-1. Its lone region win came against winless Deseret Peak (44-7), while the Bears have been outscored 313-50 in their six region losses.
Timpanogos enters the playoffs having lost two straight, including a 30-2 defeat to Park City in its regular-season finale. The Timberwolves started the season strong with three wins in their first four games before facing the tougher portion of their schedule.
Bear River’s offense features quarterback Jaxson Theurer, who has thrown for 1,032 yards and nine touchdowns this season. His favorite target is Eli Braegger (41 receptions, 595 yards, seven TDs), while Glaiden Behrens has added 24 catches for 485 yards and three scores.
The Bears’ ground game is led by Rigdon Vonk, who has rushed for 492 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 carries. Korver Riley has contributed 85 yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts.
Timpanogos counters with a balanced offensive attack directed by quarterback Andrew Hillstead, who has passed for 1,833 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. His primary receivers are Kyle LaPray (30 catches, 590 yards, four TDs) and Zack McCann (47 receptions, 449 yards, four TDs).
The Timberwolves feature a strong rushing attack with Donovan Holloway (438 yards, six TDs) and Logan Holloway (437 yards, three TDs) providing a potent one-two punch. Donovan Holloway averages nearly seven yards per carry to lead the ground game.
Defensively, Bear River is anchored by linebacker Brecken Garn (74 tackles, six sacks) and Dallen Rice (56 tackles). Timpanogos’ defense features standout Jesse King (63 tackles, 10 sacks) and Marlee Iosefo (60 tackles, three sacks, two INTs).
The winner advances to face second-seeded Crimson Cliffs (8-1) in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 23 Uintah at No. 10 Mountain Crest
Mountain Crest and Uintah meet for the second time this season when the Mustangs host the Utes in Friday’s 4A first-round playoff game.
The 10th-seeded Mustangs (7-3, 4-3 Region 11) welcome the 23rd-seeded Utes (1-9, 0-5 Region 8) in a rematch of Mountain Crest’s 62-8 victory on Aug. 22. That early-season contest saw Mountain Crest quarterback Brayden Larsen throw for five touchdowns, including a 70-yard strike to Kael Olsen, as the Mustangs built a commanding 56-8 halftime lead.
Mountain Crest enters the postseason having won six of its last eight games, including a 35-28 victory over Green Canyon in the regular-season finale. The Mustangs’ only losses during that stretch came against classification powers Ridgeline (34-10) and Stansbury (28-26), along with a narrow setback to Sky View (10-7).
Uintah limps into the playoffs with just one victory — a 15-14 triumph over Union on Sept. 5. The Utes have lost five straight since that win, including a 42-0 defeat to Park City in their regular-season finale. They’ve been outscored 257-90 in region play, failing to score more than two points in two of their five region contests.
The Mustangs’ balanced offense is directed by Larsen, who has thrown for 2,102 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 65.4% of his passes. His favorite targets have been Olsen (37 receptions, 568 yards, nine TDs), Mikah Clements (42 catches, 519 yards, seven TDs) and Kai Passey (39 receptions, 372 yards, five TDs).
Mountain Crest’s potent ground game is led by Carter Egbert, who has rushed for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns on 103 carries. Larsen adds another dimension with his legs, rushing for 609 yards and seven scores on 97 attempts.
Uintah counters with a passing attack split between two quarterbacks. Braxton Hansen has thrown for 929 yards and three touchdowns, while Landon Woods has added 814 yards and six scores. Their primary target is Romeo Garcia, who has hauled in 57 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns. Daniel Logan provides another threat with 32 catches for 578 yards and three scores.
The Utes’ ground game is led by Kache Barney leading the way with 663 yards and two touchdowns on 205 carries.
Defensively, Mountain Crest is anchored by Egbert (133 tackles, 10 sacks), Tayton Page (57 tackles) and Huerta (50 tackles, seven sacks). The Mustangs have been dominant on that side of the ball, recording four shutouts this season and holding six opponents to single digits.
Uintah’s defense features Cayden Young (71 tackles), Brody Chivers (65 tackles) and Oakley Shope (59 tackles, three INTs). Lukas Turner has been a disruptive force with 53 tackles and nine sacks.
The winner advances to face seventh-seeded Stansbury in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 19 Desert Hills at No. 14 Green Canyon
Two teams looking to revive their seasons after late-year stumbles clash Friday when Green Canyon hosts Desert Hills in the first round of the 4A state playoffs.
The 14th-seeded Wolves (6-4, 2-3 Region 11) welcome the 19th-seeded Thunder (2-7, 1-4 Region 9) in what will be the first-ever meeting between these programs. Both teams enter the postseason on two-game losing streaks, hoping to recapture early-season momentum that has faded down the stretch.
Green Canyon started strong with a 5-1 record but dropped three of its final four games, including a 49-14 setback to top-seeded Ridgeline and a 35-28 loss to Mountain Crest to close out the regular season. Despite the late struggles, the Wolves have shown balance on offense, averaging 25.9 points per game while allowing 23.4.
Desert Hills has faced a challenging schedule, with six of its seven losses coming against playoff teams. The Thunder showed promise with a 24-21 victory over Faith Lutheran (Nevada) to open the season and a 14-10 win over Dixie on Sept. 26, but they’ve been outscored 57-23 in their last two contests.
The Wolves’ offense has used two quarterbacks this season, with Ethan Munk (996 yards, 16 TDs) and Carter Perry (462 yards). Munk has been particularly effective in the red zone, adding three rushing touchdowns to complement his passing efficiency.
Green Canyon’s receiving corps is led by Hayden Schramm (39 receptions, 548 yards) and Cody Edelmayer (22 catches, 354 yards, six TDs). Bryson Pabst has been a reliable target with 25 receptions for 286 yards and four scores.
The Wolves’ ground attack is spearheaded by Micah Jenkins, who has rushed for 425 yards and four touchdowns on 85 carries. Samuel Selman adds 238 yards.
Desert Hills counters with a rushing attack led by Isaac Andresen, who has accumulated 699 yards and six touchdowns on 156 carries. The Thunder’s passing game has been inconsistent, with four quarterbacks combining for 1,346 yards, six touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Max Brownstein has thrown for a team-high 822 yards and four scores but has been intercepted nine times.
Brock Stookey (18 receptions, 301 yards) and Gavin Young (24 catches, 279 yards) are the Thunder’s primary targets in the passing game.
Defensively, Green Canyon is anchored by Eli Wheatley (68 tackles, seven sacks) and Sawyer Rainey (61 tackles). Bryson Pabst has been a standout on both sides of the ball with 57 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions, while Cooper Johnnie has contributed 42 tackles and six sacks.
Desert Hills’ defense features Boston Bundy (60 tackles) and Beau Meredith (57 tackles). Anyzja Cummings and Lucas Guadarrama have each recorded 47 tackles.
The winner advances to face third-seeded Snow Canyon in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 22 Tooele at No. 11 Skyline
Skyline looks to bounce back from a late-season setback when it hosts Tooele in Friday’s 4A first-round playoff game.
The 11th-seeded Eagles (7-3, 5-1 Region 10) welcome the 22nd-seeded Buffaloes (2-8, 0-5 Region 11) in what will be the first-ever meeting between these programs. Skyline enters the postseason with one of 4A’s most prolific offenses, while Tooele is hoping to snap a four-game losing streak.
Skyline started the season with consecutive losses to Stansbury and West Field before winning seven of its final eight games. The Eagles’ only Region 10 setback came against Highland (24-7) on Oct. 10, but they responded with a convincing 45-17 victory over Murray to close out the regular season.
Tooele started the season with promise, winning two of its first four games, but struggled once region play began. The Buffaloes have been outscored 293-76 during their current four-game slide, allowing at least 28 points in each of those contests.
Skyline’s high-powered offense is directed by quarterback Xavier Cocci, who has thrown for 3,105 yards and 21 touchdowns against just four interceptions while completing 67.7% of his passes. Cocci is also a threat on the ground, rushing for 604 yards and a team-high 16 touchdowns on 95 carries.
The Eagles’ receiving corps features Sione Tupua (24 receptions, 781 yards, eight TDs), Alex Brown (33 catches, 664 yards, two TDs) and Luke Frey (34 receptions, 545 yards). Maximus Cocci adds 18 catches for 313 yards and three scores, while Jonah Mailei has contributed 22 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
Mailei leads Skyline’s ground game with 848 yards and six touchdowns on 138 carries, forming a potent one-two punch with Xavier Cocci. The Eagles’ dual-threat offense averages 37.7 points per game and has scored at least 39 points in seven of their 10 contests.
Tooele counters with a balanced attack led by quarterback Gus Pater, who has thrown for 1,154 yards and 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Pater’s favorite target is Mavrik Charlson, who has hauled in 58 receptions for 803 yards and 10 touchdowns. Erick Rojas adds 22 catches for 218 yards.
The Buffaloes’ rushing attack features Kami Vaeknuku (251 yards, five TDs), Johnny Gallegos (174 yards) and Pater (153 yards, two TDs). Charlson has contributed 113 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.
Defensively, Skyline is led by Peyton Carter (72 tackles, three sacks), David Campbell (57 tackles, three sacks, one INT, one defensive TD) and Cash Grandon (59 tackles, two sacks, one INT). Liam Hosea has been a ballhawk in the secondary with three interceptions, while Jonah Mailei has added 48 tackles, a sack, an interception and a defensive touchdown.
Tooele’s defense features Vaeknuku (53 tackles, three sacks, one INT) and Tiomote Pahulu (34 tackles). Luke Dickson (28 tackles, four sacks) and Jayden Chien-Hua (26 tackles, six sacks) provide pressure from the edge, while Kayden Schutz has recorded 30 tackles and two interceptions.
The winner advances to face sixth-seeded Pine View in the second round on Oct. 31.