6A First Round
No. 17 Layton at No. 16 Cedar Valley
Cedar Valley and Layton meet for the first time Friday when the Aviators host the Lancers in a 6A first-round playoff matchup between teams eager to make their mark.
The 16th-seeded Aviators (3-6) welcome the 17th-seeded Lancers (3-7) in what shapes up as a competitive battle between programs seeking a statement victory. The winner earns the challenge of facing top-seeded Corner Canyon in the second round.
Cedar Valley enters the postseason having weathered a difficult schedule that included several lopsided defeats. The Aviators found success early in the season with victories over Olympus (14-7) and Copper Hills (27-24), showcasing their ability to compete across classifications.
Layton limps into the playoffs having lost its last four games, including a 26-10 defeat to Farmington in the regular-season finale. The Lancers started strong with impressive wins over Tooele (50-7) and Northridge (21-17) before facing a series of setbacks against Region 1 opponents.
Cedar Valley’s offense averages 21.4 points per game. Quarterback Landon Johnson has directed the attack with 10 touchdown passes, forming a productive connection with receiver Paxon Johnson, who has hauled in three scoring strikes.
Layton counters with a balanced offensive approach led by running backs JP Garlick (630 yards, three TDs) and Gavin Hurst (365 yards, five TDs). The Lancers have rotated quarterbacks this season, with Lincoln Wilcox (715 yards, five TDs) and Koen Doane (565 yards, three TDs) sharing duties. Nathan Mecham has been their primary receiving threat, hauling in 34 catches for 428 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Lancers are anchored by Luke Byers, who has recorded a team-high 113 tackles. JP Garlick (56 tackles, two INTs), Gavin Hurst (44 tackles, three INTs) and Lincoln Peterson (45 tackles) provide additional support. Kicker Miles Neuteboom has been reliable with five field goals and 14 extra points.
Both teams view Friday’s contest as a golden opportunity to extend their seasons and gain valuable playoff experience.
5A First Round
No. 17 Northridge at No. 16 Pleasant Grove
Two middle-of-the-pack teams looking to extend their seasons and earn shots at top-seeded West collide Friday when Pleasant Grove hosts Northridge in the first round of the 5A state playoffs.
The 16th-seeded Vikings (4-6, 4-3 Region 7) welcome 17th-seeded Northridge (4-5, 3-3 Region 5) in what will be the first-ever meeting between these programs. Both teams ended their regular seasons on high notes, with Pleasant Grove routing Payson 48-0 and Northridge slipping past Clearfield 24-20.
Pleasant Grove overcame a 1-6 start to win three straight games and secure a home playoff contest. The Vikings’ offense found its rhythm during the closing stretch, averaging 25.3 points over their final three games after managing just 10 points per game in their first seven contests.
Northridge has been resilient all season, with all nine of its games decided by 14 points or fewer. The Knights have won three of their last four games, with their only loss during that span coming in a wild 42-38 shootout against West Field.
The Vikings’ offense is directed by dual-threat quarterback Connor Ybarra, who has passed for 1,644 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 188 yards and four scores on the ground. Ybarra’s favorite target is Ryder Huntsman, who has 48 receptions for 659 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. Rocky Wilcox (39 catches, 392 yards, two TDs) and Adam Wright (24 catches, 221 yards, two TDs) provide additional options in the passing game.
Tavake Wolfgramm anchors Pleasant Grove’s ground attack with 324 yards and three touchdowns on 78 carries, while Cohen Vohs has contributed 154 yards and a score on 30 attempts.
Northridge counters with a two-quarterback system featuring Liam Fresques (1,118 yards, six TDs) and Grant Slater (611 yards, eight TDs). The Knights’ passing attack is led by Makai So’o, who has hauled in 41 receptions for 518 yards and three touchdowns. Dontae Dyson adds 22 catches for 354 yards and a team-high five scores.
The Knights’ rushing attack features a balanced approach with Seon Kumar (267 yards, two TDs) and Andrew Ortiz (250 yards, four TDs) sharing the workload. Korbin Christy provides a big-play threat with 146 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries.
Defensively, Pleasant Grove is anchored by linebacker Dereck Brinton, who leads the team with 83 tackles and three sacks. Bo Goodman (77 tackles, one INT) and Ryder Huntsman (39 tackles, two INTs) have also been standouts for a Vikings unit that has generated 10 takeaways.
Northridge’s defense features Makai So’o (65 tackles) and Cooper Tubbs (49 tackles), with JP Mafi (19 tackles, two sacks, one INT) providing pressure and coverage skills from his linebacker position.
The winner advances to face top-seeded West (9-1) in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 24 Clearfield at No. 9 Bountiful
Bountiful begins its quest for a second straight 5A state championship when it hosts Clearfield in Friday’s first-round playoff matchup.
The ninth-seeded Redhawks (5-5, 3-2 Region 6) welcome the 24th-seeded Falcons (3-7, 1-5 Region 5) in a rematch of last year’s region contest that saw Bountiful dominate in a 41-0 victory. These teams are now in different regions, with the Redhawks moving to Region 6 for the 2025 season.
Bountiful enters the postseason having won three of its last four games, including a 42-14 victory over Viewmont, a 42-31 triumph over Alta, and a 13-3 win against Brighton before falling 35-28 to Olympus in the regular-season finale. The defending state champions weathered a challenging schedule that included losses to 6A powers Herriman and Syracuse in the early going.
Clearfield limps into the playoffs on a three-game losing streak, including a narrow 24-20 defeat to Northridge in its regular-season finale. The Falcons’ lone region win came against Bonneville (35-19) on Oct. 4, and they’ve surrendered at least 24 points in each of their seven losses.
Bountiful’s offense centers around dynamic running back Siaki Fekitoa, who has rushed for 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns on 180 carries. Quarterback Hudson Malmrose has thrown for 1,418 yards and seven touchdowns, spreading the ball to multiple receivers. Max Feller (25 catches, 253 yards), Fekitoa (25 receptions, 232 yards) and Lakepa Satuala (20 catches, 316 yards) give the Redhawks a diverse passing attack.
Defensively, Bountiful is led by Dawson Allsop (88 tackles), Carter Brooks (74 tackles, eight sacks) and Connor Mertz (71 tackles). Mason Tidwell has added 65 tackles and two interceptions, while Zeke Murdock has contributed 62 tackles.
The Falcons counter with a balanced attack on both sides of the ball. They’ve shown flashes of potential with early-season wins against Cyprus, Kearns and Jordan, but have struggled against the upper echelon of teams in Region 5.
Bountiful enters the postseason looking to recapture the magic of last year’s championship run, which culminated in a state title. Despite a .500 record, the Redhawks have played a significantly tougher schedule than Clearfield, including four games against teams that earned first-round byes in this year’s playoffs (Woods Cross, Brighton, Olympus and Morgan).
The winner advances to face eighth-seeded West Jordan in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 20 Wasatch at No. 13 Timpview
Timpview and Wasatch meet for the second time this season when the Thunderbirds host the Wasps in Friday’s 5A first-round playoff game.
The 13th-seeded Thunderbirds (5-5, 5-2 Region 7) welcome the 20th-seeded Wasps (4-6, 2-5 Region 7) in a rematch of Timpview’s 33-14 victory on Sept. 12. In that region contest, Timpview built a 16-0 halftime lead, highlighted by Braxton Wilkerson’s 38-yard touchdown reception before halftime and his electric 99-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.
Timpview enters the postseason having won its last two games, including a 34-7 triumph over Spanish Fork in the finale. The Thunderbirds faced a challenging non-region schedule with losses to West, American Fork and Lone Peak before rebounding in region play, where their only setbacks came against champion Orem (22-9) and runner-up Springville (28-0).
Wasatch has lost four of its last six games, including a 38-10 defeat at Springville to close the regular season. The Wasps started 3-1 but struggled once they hit the meat of their Region 7 schedule, falling to Timpview, Orem (45-3) and Pleasant Grove (21-20) in consecutive weeks before briefly rebounding with wins over Payson (37-33) and Maple Mountain (13-7).
Timpview’s balanced offense features a two-quarterback system with Dennis Tua’one (807 yards, five TDs) and Cole Engemann (354 yards, four TDs) sharing duties. Wilkerson has been their primary playmaker, hauling in 14 receptions for 286 yards and four touchdowns while adding two scores on returns.
The Thunderbirds’ ground attack is led by Hunter Hopoate (366 yards, three TDs), Taani Tuha (245 yards, six TDs) and Tua’one (116 yards, three TDs).
Wasatch counters with a run-heavy approach centered around Ben Brand (915 yards, three TDs) and Jay Bradley (631 yards, four TDs). Bradley also directs the passing attack, throwing for 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns, with Cache Coombs (56 receptions, 591 yards, four TDs) as his primary target.
Defensively, Timpview is anchored by Duncan Strong (84 tackles, three sacks, three INTs), Trinity To’a (77 tackles) and Lincoln Horito (46 tackles). Wilkerson has added 32 tackles and a team-high four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Wasatch’s defense is led by Jack Neff (68 tackles), Ashton Nord (62 tackles, four sacks, two INTs, two defensive TDs) and Christian Zabel (38 tackles). Kicker Austin Wilde has been a weapon on special teams with 13 field goals.
The winner advances to face fourth-seeded Orem in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 21 Cyprus at No. 12 Olympus
Olympus enters the 5A state playoffs riding a three-game winning streak as it welcomes Cyprus to the Holladay hills for Thursday’s first-round matchup.
The 12th-seeded Titans (5-5, 3-2 Region 6) ended their regular season on a high note with a thrilling 35-28 victory over Bountiful last week, completing a perfect October and building momentum for the postseason.
The 21st-seeded Pirates (4-6, 2-5 Region 4) enter the playoffs having lost three of their last four games, including a 69-6 defeat to West in their regular-season finale. Cyprus started the season strong at 4-1 before struggling against the tougher portion of their schedule.
This marks the first meeting between these programs since 2016, when Olympus blanked Cyprus 49-0 in region play.
The Titans feature one of 5A’s most balanced offensive attacks. Beckham Allred leads the ground game with 690 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 115 carries, while Easton Zito has added 156 yards and four scores. Olympus employs a two-quarterback system with Preston Ferran (609 yards, nine TDs) and Luke Espersen (475 yards, five TDs) both seeing significant action.
Adam Bywater has been the Titans’ most reliable receiver with 24 catches for 249 yards and five touchdowns. Luke Campbell (40 receptions, 155 yards, one TD) and Hugh Matsumori (32 catches, 236 yards, two TDs) give the offense additional weapons in the passing attack.
Cyprus has relied on quarterback Brock Langford, who has thrown for six touchdowns this season. Edward Amuia serves as both a passing threat with four touchdown throws and a rushing option with one score on the ground. The Pirates’ offense also features Quinton Garcia (three TDs), Aiden Perea (three TDs) and Justice Fonoti (three TDs) as key playmakers.
Defensively, Olympus is anchored by linebacker Adam Bywater, who leads the team with 108 tackles and five interceptions. Sam Brown (61 tackles, four INTs) and Tommy Olson (53 tackles, one INT, one defensive TD) have been other standouts for a Titans defense allowing just 17.7 points per game.
The winner advances to face fifth-seeded Woods Cross (7-3) in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 18 Roy at No. 15 Alta
The Roy Royals are hoping to recapture last year’s playoff form when they visit Alta in Thursday’s 5A first-round matchup.
No. 18 Roy (3-6, 3-3 Region 5) made a run to the 5A championship game last season as the No. 1 seed before falling to Bountiful 42-35. This year’s Royals squad finished tied for third in Region 5 and enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak after falling to region champion Fremont 41-21.
The Royals’ offense revolves around quarterback Rock Speredon, who has thrown for 1,202 yards with eight touchdowns and just one interception this season. His favorite target is Drayden Esplin (34 receptions, 499 yards, 4 TDs), while Ryker Cordero has added 25 catches for 323 yards and two scores.
Running back Howie Howard provides balance in the Roy attack with 422 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Moresby Tauiautusa has contributed 286 rushing yards and three touchdowns, giving the Royals multiple threats on the ground.
No. 15 seed Alta (3-7, 1-4 Region 6) finished fifth in its region and enters postseason play having dropped three consecutive games, including a close 28-25 defeat to Brighton in the regular-season finale. The Hawks began the season with promise, winning three of their first five games before hitting a late-season slide.
The Hawks feature one of the state’s most prolific passing attacks, led by quarterback Tucker Brown’s 2,230 yards and 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Brown distributes the ball primarily to Evan Morton (55 catches, 967 yards, 10 TDs) and Ber Strong (72 receptions, 739 yards), giving Alta a dangerous aerial assault.
Alta’s running game is paced by Treven Cooke, who has rushed for 409 yards and two touchdowns this season. Lucas Pagel has added 163 yards and three scores on the ground for a Hawks offense that averages 20.9 points per game.
Defensively, Alta is anchored by linebacker Bear Turner, whose 93 tackles and three sacks lead a unit that gives up 29.8 points per game. Bennett Coester (86 tackles) and Mason Clark (48 tackles) provide additional support on defense. The Hawks’ secondary features Ryker Ellis, who has recorded three interceptions this season.
Roy’s defense, allowing 32.7 points per contest, counters with standouts Ryker Cordero (49 tackles), Ange Ahui (35 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) and Bryton Ketcham (40 tackles). The Royals’ defense has forced seven interceptions this season, with five different players recording picks.
Special teams could play a crucial role in this matchup, with Alta’s Jack McAllister converting 11 field goals on the season. Roy’s Bo Williams has been reliable with five field goals and 16 extra points.
The winner advances to face No. 2 Fremont (8-2) in the second round on Oct. 31. The Silverwolves defeated Roy 41-21 in the regular-season finale last week.
No. 23 Taylorsville at No. 10 Granger
Granger and Taylorsville meet for the second time this season when the Lancers host the Warriors in Friday’s 5A first-round playoff game.
The 10th-seeded Lancers (7-3, 6-1 Region 4) welcome the 23rd-seeded Warriors (2-8, 1-6 Region 4) in a rematch of Granger’s 46-7 victory on Sept. 12. Granger enters the postseason having won six of its last eight games, with its only losses coming to 5A top seed West and second-seeded West Jordan. Taylorsville comes in having won two of its last three contests after an 0-7 start.
The first meeting between these teams saw Granger dominate from the opening moments, as Mateni Puamau hauled in an 80-yard touchdown reception from Owen Griffin on the Lancers’ first offensive play. Griffin threw for six touchdowns in that game, including two to Uli Figiel in the second quarter, as Granger built a 24-7 halftime lead and pulled away with a 22-point third quarter.
Granger’s offense has been explosive all season, averaging 31.5 points per game behind Griffin’s aerial attack. The senior quarterback has thrown for 2,362 yards and 26 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. His primary targets have been Figiel (29 receptions, 826 yards, 12 TDs) and Puamau (34 catches, 796 yards, nine TDs), who form one of the state’s most dangerous receiving duos.
The Lancers’ ground game features a potent one-two punch with Sunia Fifita (631 yards, five TDs) and Bobo Kofe (543 yards, four TDs). Tumua Moors (245 yards, four TDs) and Mateni Puamau (353 yards, two TDs) provide additional options in a rushing attack that averages 7.5 yards per carry.
Taylorsville’s offense has struggled for much of the season, averaging just 10.4 points per game, but showed signs of life in recent wins over Kearns (21-14) and Hillcrest (35-28). The Warriors’ ground game is led by Masi Filipe, who has rushed for four touchdowns this season, including a 37-yard scoring run in the first meeting against Granger. Khi Spight has added four rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, Granger has been formidable, allowing just 16.0 points per game. The Lancers’ defense is anchored by Maa’imoa Havili (86 tackles, 11 sacks) and Lu Kinikini (54 tackles, 16 sacks). Mateni Puamau (four INTs) and Manisela Tauataina (four INTs).
Taylorsville’s defense is led by Cisco Vargas and Lotu Faleola.
The winner advances to face seventh-seeded Brighton in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 19 Spanish Fork at No. 14 Hunter
Hunter and Spanish Fork both enter the 5A state playoffs looking to spark postseason runs after up-and-down regular seasons.
The 14th-seeded Wolverines (5-5, 4-3 Region 4) host 19th-seeded Spanish Fork (3-7, 2-5 Region 7) on Friday in a first-round matchup between programs seeking to build momentum. Hunter closed its regular season with back-to-back victories over Cyprus and Taylorsville, winning those games by a combined 32-17 margin.
Spanish Fork enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak after a promising midseason stretch where the Dons won back-to-back games against Payson (42-20) and Maple Mountain (20-14). The Dons’ offense struggled in the final two weeks, scoring just 10 points combined in losses to Springville (49-3) and Timpview (34-7).
These programs haven’t met since 2008, when Hunter defeated Spanish Fork 41-13 in a regular-season matchup.
The Wolverines have leaned heavily on their rushing attack this season, with Connor Anderson leading the way with 652 yards and seven touchdowns on 155 carries. Sione “Isi” Moungaafi has contributed 455 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns on 84 attempts, while Aweis Ridhwan has added 297 yards and a score.
Moungaafi also directs the passing game, throwing for 616 yards and two touchdowns this season, though he’s been intercepted 11 times. Evan Fallis leads Hunter’s receiving corps with 11 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown.
Spanish Fork features a more balanced offensive approach with Nixon Warren serving as a dual-threat quarterback. Warren has passed for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns while adding 190 yards and three scores on the ground. Hawkin Rasmussen has contributed 380 passing yards and three touchdowns in limited action.
The Dons’ receiving corps is led by Gage Christensen, who has hauled in 50 receptions for 580 yards and two touchdowns. Jaxon Cloward adds 38 catches for 420 yards and three scores, while Jacob Johnson has contributed 17 receptions for 237 yards.
Spanish Fork’s ground game features James Buck (342 yards) and Jordan Bunnell (195 yards, four TDs), with Caleb Grant adding 106 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns in short-yardage situations.
Defensively, Spanish Fork is led by linebacker Jackson Beckstead (59 tackles), Caleb Grant (45 tackles, one sack), and Tayvin Maldonado (38 tackles, one sack, one INT). The Dons have generated 10 takeaways this season, with five different players recording interceptions.
The winner advances to face third-seeded Springville (9-1) in the second round on Oct. 31.
No. 22 Viewmont at No. 11 West Field
West Field enters the 5A state playoffs looking to bounce back from consecutive losses as it welcomes a Viewmont team hoping to snap a five-game losing streak.
The 11th-seeded Longhorns (6-4, 3-3 Region 5) host 22nd-seeded Viewmont (4-6, 0-5 Region 6) on Friday in a first-round matchup between programs meeting for the first time. West Field started the season 6-2 before dropping its final two games to region champions Fremont (65-3) and Box Elder (39-12).
Viewmont began the season with promise, winning four of its first five games, but stumbled through a winless Region 6 schedule. The Vikings’ offense, which averaged 35.6 points during their 4-1 start, has managed just 10 points per game during their five-game slide.
West Field’s offense has been explosive for much of the season behind quarterback Easton Eilertson, who has thrown for 2,706 yards and 33 touchdowns against nine interceptions. The Longhorns’ passing attack features big-play threat Gavin Ortegon, who has hauled in 63 receptions for 1,061 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jaden Fowers adds 40 catches for 707 yards and 10 scores, while Kolt Abbott has contributed 21 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
Elijah Woods leads the Longhorns’ ground game with 492 yards on 113 carries, while Caden Judy has added 249 yards and two touchdowns. Boston Kap provides another dimension with 189 yards and two scores on 16 attempts, averaging 11.8 yards per carry.
Viewmont counters with a potent passing attack of its own, as quarterback Jack Savage has thrown for 2,198 yards and 28 touchdowns, though he’s been intercepted 16 times. Jayson Dunroe has been Savage’s favorite target with 47 receptions for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns. Brady Clegg and Benji Tolman have each caught six touchdown passes, with Clegg adding 30 receptions for 435 yards and Tolman contributing 24 catches for 331 yards.
The Vikings’ ground game is anchored by Benji Tolman, who has rushed for 840 yards and five touchdowns on 144 carries. Noah Whitesides has added 180 yards on 19 attempts, averaging 9.5 yards per carry.
Defensively, West Field is led by Bridger Wood (67 tackles, one sack) and Corbin Price (53 tackles, two sacks). The Longhorns have generated 10 takeaways this season, with Cooper Yoder and Cooper Roundy each recording two interceptions.
Viewmont’s defense features Rayden David (76 tackles, three sacks) and Owen Seeley (72 tackles, one sack, one INT). Cooper Willoughby has been a disruptive force with 43 tackles and a team-high six sacks for the Vikings.
The winner advances to face sixth-seeded Box Elder (8-2) in the second round on Oct. 31.