No. 4 Orem vs. No. 1 West
When top-seeded West welcomes fourth-seeded Orem to Rice-Eccles Stadium Thursday morning, spectators will witness a clash between two of Utah’s most explosive offenses with a championship berth at stake.
The Panthers (11-1) enter the semifinal averaging a staggering 52.5 points per game, while Orem (10-2) counters with 38.2 points per contest. Both defenses have been equally impressive, with West allowing just 7.5 points and Orem surrendering 12.5 points per game.
West’s dominance has been near-total this season, with their lone setback coming in an 18-12 August loss to American Fork. The Panthers steamrolled through region play, scoring 40-plus points in nine games before displaying defensive grit in last week’s 14-3 quarterfinal victory over Bountiful.
The Tigers’ primary concern heading into Thursday is the health of quarterback Tayden Ka’awa, who exited last week’s 35-7 quarterfinal win over Woods Cross with a second-quarter concussion. Ka’awa (2,371 yards, 32 TDs) has been the engine of Orem’s offense, but backup Lucky Suguturaga performed admirably in relief, completing 8 of 10 passes for 91 yards.
West’s offense centers around the dynamic duo of quarterback Kamden Lopati and running back Louie Hamilton. Lopati has accumulated 3,291 total yards (2,549 passing, 742 rushing) and 41 touchdowns (32 passing, nine rushing) this season, while Hamilton has amassed 1,658 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground.
The Panthers’ receiving corps features multiple weapons, with Mani Tu’uao (22 catches, 476 yards, seven TDs), Junior Dixon (22 catches, 516 yards, four TDs), and Monson Vaenuku (18 catches, 455 yards, six TDs) all posing significant threats.
Orem counters with its own offensive arsenal led by running back Aisa Galea’i (443 yards, seven TDs) and receivers Kaue Akana (31 catches, 482 yards, nine TDs) and Mack Ellison (16 catches, 484 yards, four TDs).
Defensively, Orem relies on the disruptive force of Juni Moala (16 sacks) and tackling machine Easton Kojima (107 tackles), while West’s defense features Aisa Lopati (12 sacks) and Spencer Mafi (70 tackles).
Last week’s quarterfinal provided stark contrasts for both programs. West’s typically explosive offense was limited to a season-low 14 points against Bountiful, with Lopati connecting with Tu’uao for a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and finding Tu’uao for an 8-yard score just before halftime.
Meanwhile, Orem dismantled Woods Cross 35-7 despite losing their starting quarterback, showcasing their depth and resilience.
The semifinal matchup represents a rematch of last year’s second-round thriller when Orem edged West 35-27. The Tigers broke a 21-21 tie with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including a 44-yard strike from Ka’awa.
The winner advances to face either No. 3 Springville (11-1) or No. 7 Brighton (7-5) in the 5A championship on Thursday, Nov. 20.
No. 7 Brighton vs. No. 3 Springville
When seventh-seeded Brighton faces third-seeded Springville Thursday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Bengals will carry the unmistakable swagger of a team defying expectations.
Brighton (7-5) beat second-seeded Fremont 27-14 in the quarterfinals, continuing a playoff run that seems unlikely after its early season struggles. The Bengals built a 13-7 halftime lead with two field goals by Kaden Hansen before Jaxon Nettleton’s pivotal 14-yard fumble recovery touchdown with just 36 seconds left in the third quarter gave Brighton a commanding 20-7 advantage.
The Red Devils (11-1) present a formidable challenge, riding a 10-game winning streak after dispatching Box Elder 28-21 in the quarterfinals. Treyton Harris provided the decisive blow with a 38-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter to secure Springville’s semifinal berth.
Springville’s ground attack has overwhelmed opponents all season. The one-two punch of Lisiate Valeti (1,040 yards, eight touchdowns) and Tua Naufahu (798 yards, 13 touchdowns) powers an offense averaging 33.2 points per game. Naufahu’s versatility extends to defense, where he’s recorded 102 tackles and 10 sacks.
Brighton counters with a balanced offensive approach. Quarterback Ryce Palepoi has thrown for 1,673 yards and 16 touchdowns, frequently connecting with Jayce Evans (575 yards, seven touchdowns) and Slade Taylor (497 yards, six touchdowns). The Bengals’ ground game features Judah Valle (339 yards, six touchdowns) and Cole Heemeyer (544 yards, five touchdowns).
Defensively, the contrast is stark. Springville surrenders just 11 points per game, while Brighton allows 27. The Red Devils’ defensive backbone includes Tuiono Valeti (115 tackles) and the aforementioned Naufahu.
The statistical edge clearly favors Springville. The Red Devils average 33.2 points offensively while allowing just 11 defensively. Brighton scores 24.4 points per game while surrendering 27 — making them one of the rare semifinalists with a negative scoring differential.
Brighton’s playoff magic has featured timely defensive plays, particularly against Fremont, where Hansen’s field goals and Nettleton’s defensive touchdown turned the tide against the higher-seeded Silverwolves.
The semifinal represents each program’s best chance in years to end long championship droughts. Brighton’s only state title came in 1982, while Springville’s lone championship was in 1985. Brighton hasn’t reached the title game since 2013, while Springville last appeared in 2021, falling to Lehi.
When these teams last met in 2020, Brighton edged Springville 28-21 in a contest where all scoring came before halftime, featuring two rushing touchdowns from Brighton’s Gabe Curtis.
The winner advances to face either top-seeded West (11-1) or fourth-seeded Orem (10-2) in the 5A championship on Thursday, Nov. 20.