No. 9 Bountiful at No. 1 West
When defending 5A champion Bountiful visits top-seeded West on Friday afternoon, the Redhawks will enter as underdogs despite wearing the crown.
The ninth-seeded Redhawks (7-5) squeezed past West Jordan 34-32 in the second round, propelled by Siaki Fekitoa’s powerful performance. The running back tallied 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a crucial 54-yard run with 2:38 remaining that extended Bountiful’s lead to 34-26. Quarterback Hudson Malmrose added 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes in the victory, continuing Bountiful’s quest to defend the title they claimed last year.
West (10-1) enters averaging a staggering 56 points per game while allowing just 7.9 points defensively. The Panthers dominated Northridge 56-13 in the second round behind their dynamic offense led by running back Louie Hamilton, who rushed for 180 yards and six touchdowns in that victory. Hamilton has accumulated 1,658 yards and 28 touchdowns this season.
The Panthers’ passing attack is equally dangerous with quarterback Kamden Lopati throwing for 2,479 yards and 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.
Bountiful’s offense relies heavily on Fekitoa, who has amassed 1,380 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season despite missing two games early in the year with an injury. Malmrose has thrown for 1,834 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Defensively, the Redhawks are led by Dawson Allsop (95 tackles), Carter Brooks (78 tackles, eight sacks), and Connor Mertz (74 tackles). For the Panthers, Zacchaeus Maalona (57 tackles), Spencer Mafi (62 tackles), and Aisa Lopati (43 tackles, 10 sacks) anchor a formidable defensive unit.
West has overwhelmed opponents with raw offensive firepower, scoring 40-plus points in nine games this season. Bountiful, meanwhile, has embraced close contests, with five of their games decided by 10 points or fewer, including last week’s nail-biter against West Jordan. The Redhawks’ championship experience could prove valuable against the Panthers’ statistical dominance.
Friday marks the first meeting between these programs in 21 years, when Bountiful defeated West 10-0 in 2004. Adding to the intrigue, current Redhawks coach Jason Freckleton was Bountiful’s quarterback in that victory.
The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either Orem or Woods Cross.
No. 5 Woods Cross at No. 4 Orem
When fifth-seeded Woods Cross visits fourth-seeded Orem in Friday’s 5A quarterfinal matchup, it will mark the first-ever meeting between two programs with dramatically different offensive foundations.
The Wildcats (8-3) advanced with a tough 13-6 defensive victory over Olympus in the second round. Teiyon Halbasch opened the scoring with a 67-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Jesse Simmons connected with Ryan Miller for a 13-yard score in the third quarter to secure the win. That defensive effort has been a hallmark for Woods Cross, which has held opponents to just 16.4 points per game.
Orem (9-2) continued its impressive season with a commanding 40-22 win over Timpview in the second round. The Tigers have won eight straight games since a 1-2 start that included losses to Lone Peak and Idaho powerhouse Rocky Mountain. Quarterback Tayden Ka’awa has been a catalyst for an offense averaging 38.5 points per game.
The game features contrasting offensive styles. Woods Cross relies on a punishing triple-option attack led by running back Viliami Tapa’atoutai, who has rushed for 1,493 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Simmons adds dual-threat capability with 476 rushing yards and 875 passing yards with 12 touchdowns through the air.
Orem counters with a high-powered spread offense orchestrated by Ka’awa, who has thrown for 2,031 yards and 31 touchdowns against just six interceptions. His top targets include Kaue Akana (23 catches, 348 yards, eight TDs) and Mack Ellison (13 catches, 391 yards, four TDs). The Tigers’ ground game features a committee approach with Beckham Curtis (393 yards, five TDs) and Aisa Galea’i (357 yards, five TDs) leading the way.
Defensively, the Wildcats are anchored by linebacker Hayden Thorne (113 tackles, four sacks) and Ryan Miller (85 tackles), while safety Wyatt Hunter has a team-leading five interceptions. Orem counters with dominant defensive end Juni Moala (55 tackles, 16 sacks) and linebacker Easton Kojima (98 tackles, three sacks).
The Tigers have been particularly tough at home, outscoring opponents 215-60 in six games on their field this season. Meanwhile, Woods Cross has proven resilient on the road with a 3-2 mark away from home.
The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either West or Bountiful.
No. 7 Brighton at No. 2 Fremont
When No. 7 Brighton visits No. 2 Fremont in Friday’s 5A quarterfinal matchup, the Bengals will look to continue their late-season uptick against the high-powered Silverwolves.
Brighton (6-5) dominated Granger 49-8 in the second round, with Palepoi throwing for three touchdowns and Valle adding two rushing scores in the victory.
The improved form has seen them win four of six games since a humbling 56-14 loss to Corner Canyon in September. The Bengals tied for the Region 6 championship and enter the quarterfinals with momentum despite their up-and-down season.
Fremont (9-2) held off a determined Alta squad 31-27 in their second-round matchup, powered by Tuatagaloa’s 278 passing yards and three touchdown throws to Moa, including the game-winning strike to Slade Parker in the fourth quarter.
The victory continued their perfect season against 5A competition. The Silverwolves’ only losses came to 6A programs Corner Canyon and Farmington, and they captured the Region 5 title with an unblemished 6-0 record.
The Bengals’ offense features a balanced attack led by quarterback Ryce Palepoi, who has thrown for 1,661 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. His favorite target is receiver Jayce Evans (23 receptions, 575 yards, seven TDs). On the ground, Brighton employs a committee approach with Staton Gutierrez (531 yards, seven TDs), Cole Heemeyer (463 yards, five TDs) and Judah Valle (339 yards, five TDs) sharing the workload.
Fremont counters with dual-threat quarterback Manase Tuatagaloa, who has accumulated 2,622 passing yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 620 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. His primary weapons are big-play receiver Salesi Moa (57 catches, 1,188 yards, 15 TDs) and Slade Parker (51 receptions, 685 yards, 14 TDs). Running back Cade Hadley has rushed for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Bengals are led by linebacker William Little (87 tackles) and defensive back Jackson Thomson (61 tackles). Fremont’s defense features linebacker Landon Palmer (86 tackles) and defensive back Aisa Tuatagaloa (67 tackles), while Jak Masters has recorded 71 tackles and four sacks.
The teams last met in 2020, when Brighton claimed a 56-42 victory in a high-scoring season opener. A Brighton win on Friday would earn the Bengals a second-straight semifinal appearance. Fremont’s last semifinal appearance came back in 2016.
The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either Box Elder or Springville.
No. 6 Box Elder at No. 3 Springville
When No. 6 Box Elder travels to face No. 3 Springville in Friday’s 5A quarterfinal matchup, both teams will be seeking their first semifinal appearance in years — and for Box Elder almost two decades.
Box Elder (9-2) rolled past West Field 35-13 in the second round, with quarterback Damon Rodriguez throwing for three touchdowns and adding another score on the ground. The Bees have won four of their last five games, with defeats this season coming against Region 5 champion Fremont and Mountain Ridge. They finished second in Region 5 with a 5-1 record.
Springville (10-1) dominated Spanish Fork 49-14 in their playoff opener, continuing their impressive season that has seen them win nine consecutive games since their lone loss at Orem. The Red Devils claimed the Region 8 championship with an unblemished 6-0 mark.
The Red Devils feature a powerful rushing attack led by Lisiate Valeti (844 yards, eight TDs) and Tua Naufahu (571 yards, 11 TDs). Their defense has been equally impressive, led by linebacker Tuiono Valeti (88 tackles, four sacks) and Naufahu, who has recorded 82 tackles and 10 sacks as a disruptive edge rusher. Defensive back Zachary Henderson has contributed six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Box Elder counters with a balanced offensive approach directed by Rodriguez, who has orchestrated an offense averaging 38 points per game. The Bees’ defense has been stout as well, allowing just 12 points per contest and posting two shutouts during the regular season.
This marks the first meeting between these programs since 2018, when Springville claimed a 17-13 victory in the first round of the playoffs.
Both teams are looking to end lengthy semifinal droughts. The Red Devils last reached the semifinals in 2021, advancing to the championship game before falling to Lehi. Box Elder’s semifinal drought stretches back to 2006, when it lost a narrow 24-21 decision to Highland.
The winner advances to the semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium next week against either Brighton or Fremont.