3A Quarterfinals
Richfield 31, Grantsville 7
Richfield (10-2) came out strong in their 3A quarterfinal matchup against Grantsville (7-5), scoring two crucial touchdowns in the span of two minutes in the second quarter, setting the stage for a 31-7 victory. Colton White’s explosive 60-yard touchdown run with just over a minute left in the second quarter was a highlight, providing momentum as the Wildcats moved forward. Sam Gonzolez’s 30-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter sealed the deal, showcasing Richfield’s balanced offensive prowess. Their defense, the best in 3A allowing just 12.2 points per game, effectively halted Grantsville’s offensive attempts, which was a repeat of earlier season frustrations for the Cowboys.
Morgan 49, Cedar City 0
Top-seeded Morgan (9-2) showcased its dominant play with a resounding 49-0 victory over Cedar (6-6) in the 3A quarterfinals, marking a resounding performance against the defending state champions. Morgan struck first with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Owen Gilson to Rhett Larsen at the 9:28 mark in the first quarter. Their blistering first quarter continued with Gilson adding a 4-yard rushing touchdown, and a blocked punt return by Lawson Walker extended the lead to 21-0. Miles Sydenham capped the quarter with a 2-yard score to cement a 28-point opening period. In the second quarter, Morgan added three more touchdowns, including a 29-yard interception return by Walker, finishing the half with a commanding 49-0 lead.
Logan 66, Manti 20
Easton Favero led Logan (9-2) to an explosive 66-20 victory over Manti (3-9) in the 3A quarterfinals, setting the record for most points scored by Logan in a playoff game. Favero’s five-touchdown performance, including four through the air and one on the ground, powered the Grizzlies. Logan pulled away in the second quarter with four unanswered touchdowns, pushing them to a commanding 56-17 halftime lead. Manti briefly led after Stetson Thomson’s 35-yard touchdown pass, but Favero’s 12-yard scoring run with 7:29 left in the first quarter secured a lead Logan never relinquished. Royce Sargent added a receiving touchdown, while Jase Pingree contributed a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Juab 16, Ogden 13
Juab (9-2) secured a narrow 16-13 victory over Ogden (7-5) in the 3A quarterfinals, with pivotal plays in the fourth quarter turning the tide. Price Armstrong, who also kicked the game-winning field goal, opened the scoring with a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter. Ogden took the lead in the second with Blake Weston’s 14-yard touchdown catch from Emmett Rector. After a scoreless third quarter, Nash Bockwoldt extended Ogden’s lead with a 68-yard touchdown reception. Juab’s comeback commenced at 9:40 in the fourth with Kelsen Allred capitalizing on a fumble recovery. The decisive moment came with 3:27 left, when Bryson Downard caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Armstrong, giving Juab a lead they maintained till the end.
2A Quarterfinals
Summit Academy 33, South Sevier 0
Summit Academy (8-3) continued their dominant playoff run with a decisive 33-0 victory over South Sevier (3-7) in the 2A quarterfinals. The Bears’ defense, which ranks first in 2A, lived up to its reputation by holding the Rams scoreless, marking their second shutout of the season. Gray Rosse provided an early 25-yard field goal to get things started in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Summit Academy extended their lead with field goals of 22 yards by Rosse and touchdowns from Nito Fonua, who dashed for a 52-yard run, and Rigby Young’s 12-yard scramble. Young showcased his offensive prowess again in the third quarter with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Tyllman Reese. Fonua capped off the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 22-yard touchdown run.
Delta 56, Providence Hall 8
In a strong performance in the 2A quarterfinals, No. 2 seed Delta (9-2) dominated No. 7 Providence Hall (2-9) with a decisive 56-8 victory. The Rabbits showcased their powerful ground game, amassing rushing touchdowns from Bronx Hunt, who contributed two, and McCrae Wade, who broke through with a 77-yard dash and added a 40-yard score. Drake Norman and Davis Covey each scored, with Covey finding the end zone twice, including a remarkable 74-yard run. Delta’s defense held Providence Hall scoreless until the third quarter when Gary Grayson scored on a 51-yard run.
San Juan 48, Emery 0
San Juan (9-1) put on a dominant performance in the 2A quarterfinals, shutting out Emery (3-9) with a 48-0 victory. Brigg Palmer, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities, rushed for multiple touchdowns, including a 50-yard dash in the fourth quarter, and accounted for five touchdowns on the day, with runs of 2, 1, 13, 1, and 50 yards. Quarterback Beau Yeomans effectively led the aerial assault, connecting twice with Andrew Nielson for scores. San Juan led 35-0 at halftime, with a mix of precise passing and powerful rushing that Emery’s defense couldn’t contain. The victory solidifies San Juan’s bid for a sixth consecutive state title, highlighting a balanced attack that proved insurmountable against the Spartans.
South Summit 47, American Leadership 0
Brody Larsen’s three-touchdown performance powered No. 4 seed South Summit (7-4) to a resounding 47-0 victory over American Leadership (6-5) in the 2A quarterfinals. Larsen’s 49-yard touchdown run ignited a 27-point first quarter blitz that left the Eagles reeling. Steele Woodward also contributed with two touchdowns, including a 60-yard sprint. South Summit’s defense, ranking third in 2A by allowing just 19.9 points per game, stifled ALA’s attack, maintaining the shutout.
1A Quarterfinals
Duchesne 58, Parowan 0
Top-seeded Duchesne (10-1) steamrolled No. 9 Parowan (2-10) in the 1A quarterfinals, securing a commanding 58-0 victory. The Eagles, leading the 1A division in both scoring offense and defense, demonstrated their strength early, scoring 28 points in the first quarter alone. Brigg Gardner was a standout, rushing for four touchdowns, including an 11-yarder with 9:15 left in the first quarter to set the tone. Romeo Anderson added three more rushing touchdowns, highlighting the Eagles’ dominant ground game that contributed to their 10th consecutive victory. Duchesne’s defense, with a reputation for turning turnovers into touchdowns, further stifled the Rams, showcasing why they have only allowed 8.4 points per game this season.
Beaver 21, Enterprise 7
In the 1A quarterfinals, No. 3 Beaver (7-4) secured a 21-7 victory over No. 6 Enterprise (5-6) at home. Davis Carter led the way for the Beavers with three rushing touchdowns, scoring on runs of 4, 1, and 5 yards. Beaver’s defense, known for its resilience, dominated early, holding Enterprise scoreless in the first half and limiting the Wolves to just one significant play. Enterprise managed to cut the deficit to 9-7 in the third quarter with an 81-yard touchdown pass from Jack Moyle to Jake Christensen, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Beaver’s precision on both sides of the ball. The Beavers’ consistency in shutting down Enterprise’s offense was pivotal, as they allowed only seven points after blowing a halftime lead in their last encounter with Enterprise.
Kanab 20, Gunnison Valley 8
In a 1A quarterfinal that marked a challenging defensive duel, No. 2 Kanab (8-3), reigning champions, knocked out No. 7 Gunnison Valley (4-6) with a 20-8 victory. After a scoreless first quarter, Kanab took a slim lead with Degan Swapp’s 6-yard touchdown run with just 46 seconds left in the half. In the fourth quarter, Monte Johnson extended Kanab’s lead with a 19-yard catch from Brennan Orton at 10:33, followed by a decisive 36-yard rushing touchdown by Latimer Glover in the final minute. Gunnison Valley, struggling to overcome Kanab’s sterling defense, only scored once late in the fourth.
North Summit 28, Millard 10
In the 1A quarterfinals, North Summit (7-4) emerged victorious over Millard (5-6) with a 28-10 triumph. The Braves were led by a potent aerial attack with Tayton Pace throwing two touchdown passes, including a critical 88-yard strike to Cru Richins late in the third quarter. Kason Richins contributed both offensively with a 36-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth and defensively, leading the tackle count. Millard initially matched North Summit with an equal score in the first quarter when Jensen Davies completed a 5-yard rushing touchdown. The Eagles added a field goal in the second quarter, but failed to score in the second half.
1A 8-Player Quarterfinals
Rich 56, St. Joseph 20
Top-seeded Rich (8-3) continued its pursuit of a fourth consecutive 8-player state title with a commanding 56-20 victory over No. 8 St. Joseph (4-7) in the 1A quarterfinals. Rich’s high-powered offense took control early, led by quarterback Wilkes Weston who accounted for six touchdown passes. Bode O’Mealy was a dominant receiving threat, catching two of Weston’s touchdowns, including a 45-yarder that showcased his 30.8-yard average per catch this season. Despite a valiant effort from St. Joseph’s Hunter Roberts, who scored all three of the Jayhawks’ touchdowns and totaled over 100 yards rushing and receiving,
Monticello 44, Utah Military Camp Williams 6
Monticello (8-2) cruised to a decisive 44-6 victory over Utah Military Camp Williams (5-7) in the 1A 8-player quarterfinals, continuing their impressive offensive showing this season. Leading the 8-player division in scoring, the Buckaroos displayed their firepower early, jumping to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter. Cache Young, with a stellar season marked by 40 touchdown passes, orchestrated the offense efficiently. The Buckaroos’ defense blanketed the Marauders, allowing only a single touchdown in the second quarter.
Milford 58, Panguitch 0
Tucker Ihde’s outstanding performance led the Milford Tigers (6-4) to a commanding 58-0 victory over the Panguitch Bobcats (4-7) in the 1A Playoffs. Ihde contributed significantly, scoring on three touchdown runs of 24, 13, and 52 yards, and throwing for three more scores, including a 91-yard pass to Joseph Wilson. The Tigers dominated from the outset, scoring five times in the first quarter alone, capped by Tayon Blackburn’s 10-yard run with just 36 seconds remaining. Milford’s relentless offense didn’t let up, securing a decisive and shutout win.
This report was compiled with the assistance of ChatGPT.