No. 8 Syracuse at No. 1 Corner Canyon
Top-seeded Corner Canyon (10-1) continues its quest for back-to-back state championships when it hosts No. 8 Syracuse (8-3) at 4 p.m. Friday in what appears to be a lopsided 6A quarterfinal matchup on paper.
The Chargers have been dominant since their lone setback against Lone Peak in September, averaging 51.5 points per game while allowing just 13.5. They crushed Layton 63-9 in the second round to advance to the quarterfinals once again.
Syracuse, meanwhile, edged Westlake 31-28 in the second round to reach the quarterfinals. The Titans have shown resilience this season, with their three losses coming against quality opponents in Rigby (Idaho), Davis and Farmington.
When these teams last met in 2023, Corner Canyon cruised to a 42-14 victory behind a four-touchdown performance from then-quarterback Isaac Wilson.
This year’s Chargers are led by dual-threat quarterback Helaman Casuga, who has completed 64.9% of his passes for 2,679 yards and 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. His dynamic receiving corps features Jasean Mayberry (35 catches, 821 yards, six TDs), Kai Meza (46 catches, 817 yards, 10 TDs) and Lucas Jackson (19 catches, 285 yards, six TDs).
The Chargers also boast a potent ground attack with Weston Briggs (797 yards, nine TDs), Casuga (390 yards, seven TDs) and Jackson Carruth (318 yards, six TDs) sharing the workload.
Defensively, the Chargers rely on linebacker Mason Wood (68 tackles, one sack, one interception), defensive end Jayden Pearce (58 tackles, nine sacks) and linebacker Tate Patterson (47 tackles, one sack, one interception).
Syracuse counters with a balanced offense led by quarterback Ledger Wight, who has thrown for 1,510 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 882 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground. Running back Ryker Van Komen contributes 866 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while receiver Tanner Merril (37 catches, 497 yards, eight TDs) serves as Wight’s primary target.
The Titans’ defense features linebacker Xander Garcia (52 tackles, four sacks), safety Kaleb Hall (56 tackles, three interceptions) and linebacker Tristan Ha’o (47 tackles).
The winner advances to face either No. 4 Mountain Ridge or No. 5 Herriman in the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
No. 5 Herriman at No. 4 Mountain Ridge
No. 4 Mountain Ridge (9-2) hosts No. 5 Herriman (10-1) at 6 p.m. Friday in a 6A quarterfinal matchup that features a rematch of a weather-delayed regular-season contest won by the Sentinels.
When these teams met on Oct. 3, Mountain Ridge secured a 24-8 victory in a game that stretched past midnight, concluding at 12:47 a.m. following three lightning delays. The Sentinels will hope for a similar result but under clearer skies in this high-stakes rematch.
Mountain Ridge, under first-year coach Nick Robins, has enjoyed a breakthrough season, capturing the first region championship in the program’s short history. The Sentinels advanced to the quarterfinals with a 35-21 victory over Riverton, their second win over the Silverwolves in two weeks.
Herriman, meanwhile, has experienced a remarkable turnaround under second-year coach Matt Rickards. After posting a 3-8 record in his debut season, Rickards has guided the Mustangs to a 10-1 mark in 2025, with their only loss coming against Mountain Ridge. Herriman dominated Weber 62-32 in the second round.
In the October matchup, Mountain Ridge quarterback Jaxon Hunt connected with Tytan DeJong for a 54-yard touchdown pass to help the Sentinels build an early lead. Herriman’s only points came on a 31-yard interception return by Wesley England.
Hunt has orchestrated one of the state’s most balanced attacks this season, completing 64.9% of his passes for 3,526 yards and 31 touchdowns. His favorite target, Kohen Cunningham, has 75 receptions for 1,221 yards and 12 touchdowns, while DeJong (64 catches, 886 yards, eight TDs) and Grayden Dumas (64 catches, 776 yards, eight TDs) give the Sentinels multiple threats.
The Sentinels complement their aerial attack with running back Zach Ofisa (467 yards, six TDs) and Hunt’s own rushing ability (276 yards, six TDs).
Defensively, Mountain Ridge is anchored by Cutler Whitaker (69 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions) and the linebacker duo of Cole Uluave (63 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions) and Bridger Butterfield (63 tackles, two sacks, one interception).
Herriman counters with a powerful ground game led by Filisi Filipe (902 yards, 15 TDs) and Tyler Messer (647 yards, 13 TDs). Messer also handles quarterback duties, throwing for 1,531 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. His primary target, Tate Love, has 32 receptions for 539 yards and two scores.
The Mustangs’ defense has been opportunistic, with Macrae Parker (71 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions) and Troy Ellermeier (60 tackles, five interceptions) leading the way.
Herriman is seeking its first semifinal appearance since 2017, when it lost to eventual champion Bingham.
The winner advances to face either No. 1 Corner Canyon or No. 8 Syracuse in the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
No. 7 American Fork at No. 2 Skyridge
No. 2 Skyridge (9-1) aims to secure its fourth consecutive victory over rival No. 7 American Fork (8-3) when the teams clash in the 6A quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Friday, three weeks after their regular-season matchup.
The Falcons enter the contest on a three-game winning streak after dismantling Copper Hills 63-3 in the second round. Skyridge has dominated most opponents this season, averaging 47.5 points per game while allowing just 19.8.
American Fork advanced to the quarterfinals with a narrow 21-20 victory over Lehi, avenging a regular-season loss in which the Pioneers defeated the Cavemen 26-3. The resilient victory demonstrated American Fork’s growth since midseason.
The previous meeting between these rivals three weeks ago saw Skyridge gradually take control after a scoreless first quarter. Quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne scored on a 35-yard touchdown run and connected with Adam Warren for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The Falcons sealed the win when Jagger Fountaine found Omarian Sanders for a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Sweetwyne has been a dual-threat force for the Falcons all season, passing for 2,352 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 679 yards and 12 scores. His primary targets include Talmage Oswald (33 catches, 598 yards, six TDs), Hunter Sheffield (36 catches, 499 yards, five TDs) and Adam Warren (35 catches, 461 yards, one TD).
The Falcons’ ground attack boasts additional weapons in Lincoln Tahi (536 yards, eight TDs) and Sweetwyne’s own rushing ability.
Defensively, Skyridge relies on Griffin Kunz (72 tackles, two sacks), Suka Finau (47 tackles, two sacks) and Easton Simmons (35 tackles) to contain American Fork’s offense.
The Cavemen have been splitting time at quarterback between Nate Childs (932 yards, six TDs) and Kapano Manuela (1,023 yards, nine TDs), though Childs has seen increased playing time in recent games. Running back Prince Afu leads the ground game with 823 yards and nine touchdowns, while receiver Cash Taiese (45 catches, 626 yards, three TDs) serves as the primary target in the passing attack.
American Fork’s defense is anchored by Corbin Bauerle (73 tackles), Lincoln Miller (37 tackles, two interceptions) and Mitt Palmer (35 tackles).
The winner advances to face either No. 3 Davis or No. 6 Lone Peak in the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
No. 6 Lone Peak at No. 3 Davis
No. 3 Davis (10-1) looks to end a 16-year semifinal drought when it hosts No. 6 Lone Peak (8-3) in the 6A quarterfinals at 4 p.m. Friday, in a matchup featuring the state’s premier passer against a Knights squad bolstered by the return of their starting quarterback.
The Darts, whose last semifinal appearance came in 2009, rolled past Bingham 42-21 in the second round behind another stellar performance from quarterback Tradon Bessinger. Davis has won nine straight games since a Week 2 loss to Fremont.
Lone Peak, which reached last year’s championship game, advanced with a dominant 41-14 victory over Farmington. The Knights received a boost with the return of starting quarterback Kepa Niumeitolu, who played his first game since Sept. 12 after recovering from injury. Niumeitolu showed no signs of rust, completing 14 of 21 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns in his return.
Davis features the state’s most prolific passing attack, led by Bessinger, who has completed an astounding 75.2% of his passes for 3,978 yards, 50 touchdowns and just two interceptions. The senior signal-caller has four receivers with at least 47 catches, headed by Bode Sparrow (69 receptions, 1,068 yards, 16 TDs) and Jaxton Itaaheau (62 catches, 886 yards, 11 TDs).
The Darts complement their aerial assault with running back Makaio Byrd (434 yards, five TDs) and Itaaheau, who adds 292 rushing yards and four scores to his receiving production.
Defensively, Davis is led by linebacker Ethan Lockwood (126 tackles, one interception), defensive end Bridger Young (79 tackles, one interception) and defensive lineman Johnny Parker (73 tackles, eight sacks).
Lone Peak counters with a defensive unit that has held opponents to 20.9 points per game this season. The Knights upset previously unbeaten Corner Canyon 42-21 earlier this season, showcasing their big-game potential.
Niumeitolu’s return gives the Knights a significant boost after he had thrown for 560 yards and eight touchdowns in limited action before his injury. His primary target, Jaron Pula, has 49 receptions for 816 yards and 11 touchdowns. Running backs Tate Barney (410 yards, three TDs), Isaac Fonua (281 yards, two TDs) and Sean Tahi (280 yards, three TDs) provide balance to the Knights’ attack.
While these teams haven’t met this season, both have experience against common opponents. Lone Peak defeated American Fork 31-28, while Davis toppled the Cavemen 29-15. Both teams also have victories over Farmington, with Davis winning 21-10 and Lone Peak defeating the Phoenix twice, including last week’s playoff game.
The winner advances to face either No. 2 Skyridge or No. 7 American Fork in the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.