No. 4 Mountain Ridge vs. No. 1 Corner Canyon
When top-seeded Corner Canyon (11-1) and fourth-seeded Mountain Ridge (10-2) clash Friday morning at Rice-Eccles Stadium, it will be a battle between one of Utah’s most dominant programs and a rising power looking to reach its first championship game.
The Chargers have been nearly unstoppable this season, averaging 44.4 points per game while allowing just 13.8. Their dominance was on full display in last week’s quarterfinal, where they dismantled Syracuse 56-14 behind quarterback Helaman Casuga’s multiple touchdown passes to receivers Isaiah Morris and Jasean Mayberry.
Mountain Ridge earned its semifinal berth with a hard-fought 22-14 victory over region rival Herriman, defeating the Mustangs for the second time this season after a 24-8 win on Oct. 3. The Sentinels established an early lead with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jaxon Hunt to Kohen Cunningham and a five-yard rush by Zach Ofisa in the first quarter.
When these teams met in region play last season, Corner Canyon escaped with a competitive 21-14 victory despite losing starting quarterback Casuga to an early injury.
Casuga has been the catalyst for the Chargers’ explosive offense this year, completing 67.7% of his passes for 2,977 yards with 34 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He’s also added 390 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. His primary targets include Kai Meza (51 catches, 856 yards, 10 TDs) and Mayberry (39 catches, 881 yards, eight TDs).
The Chargers feature a balanced ground attack led by Weston Briggs (858 yards, nine TDs), with Casuga and Jackson Carruth (338 yards, seven TDs) providing additional production.
Mountain Ridge counters with its own high-powered passing attack directed by Hunt, who has thrown for 3,526 yards and 33 touchdowns against eight interceptions. His favorite target is Cunningham, who has 75 receptions for 1,221 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tytan DeJong (64 catches, 886 yards, eight TDs) and Grayden Dumas (64 catches, 776 yards, eight TDs) give Hunt multiple reliable options.
Defensively, the Chargers are led by linebacker Mason Wood (73 tackles) and defensive end Jayden Pearce (62 tackles, 10 sacks). The Sentinels counter with linebacker Cutler Whitaker (69 tackles, three interceptions) and Cole Uluave (63 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions).
Mountain Ridge enters on a nine-game winning streak, including two playoff victories. Their only losses came to Skyridge in the season opener and Davis in late August.
Corner Canyon’s lone defeat was a 42-21 setback to Lone Peak in September, but they’ve won five straight since, including playoff victories over Layton and Syracuse.
The winner advances to face either second-seeded Skyridge (9-2) or sixth-seeded Lone Peak (7-4) in the 6A championship on Nov. 20.
No. 6 Lone Peak vs. No. 2 Skyridge
When sixth-seeded Lone Peak (7-4) and second-seeded Skyridge (9-2) clash Thursday afternoon in the 6A semifinals, they’ll renew a rivalry that produced one of the season’s most thrilling contests just six weeks ago.
The Falcons survived that Oct. 2 meeting with a 37-34 double-overtime victory on their home field, rallying from a 10-0 halftime deficit. Lincoln Tahi’s 16-yard touchdown run in the second overtime proved decisive after Skyridge had forced the extra period with Kaneal Sweetwyne’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Diesel Hunter with just 2:26 remaining in regulation.
Now, with a championship berth at stake, the stakes couldn’t be higher at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Lone Peak enters with momentum after upsetting third-seeded Davis 41-38 in the quarterfinals. The Knights have been rejuvenated by the return of quarterback Kepa Niumeitolu, who missed significant time with an injury — including the teams’ first meeting. Against Davis, Niumeitolu completed 13 of 22 passes for 130 yards while adding 11 carries for 77 yards.
The Knights’ late-game heroics against Davis included Niumeitolu’s 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 38 with just 30 seconds remaining, followed by Jake Barker’s decisive 38-yard field goal in double overtime.
Skyridge handled American Fork 56-29 in their quarterfinal matchup, with Sweetwyne continuing his stellar season. The dual-threat quarterback has accumulated 2,755 passing yards and 32 touchdowns through the air, while adding 839 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground.
When these teams met in October, Lone Peak receiver Jaron Pula was a significant factor with an 87-yard touchdown reception from Cruz Christensen, while Isaac Fonua returned a kickoff 97 yards for another score. Pula has been the Knights’ primary offensive weapon all season with 52 receptions for 842 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Skyridge counters with a deep receiving corps led by Talmage Oswald (42 catches, 802 yards, nine TDs) and Hunter Sheffield (39 receptions, 563 yards, five TDs). The Falcons’ ground attack features the aforementioned Tahi (605 yards, eight TDs) alongside Sweetwyne’s running ability.
Defensively, Skyridge leans on Griffin Kunz (78 tackles) and Suka Finau (53 tackles, three sacks). The Falcons’ defense held American Fork to just seven points in the second half of their quarterfinal victory.
Both programs are familiar with deep playoff runs. Lone Peak reached last year’s championship game before falling to Corner Canyon, while Skyridge seeks a return to title contention after several near-misses in recent years.
The winner advances to face either top-seeded Corner Canyon (11-1) or fourth-seeded Mountain Ridge (10-2) in the 6A championship on Nov. 20.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.