Orem secured a 35-16 victory over No. 10 Pleasant Grove in the 5A football state quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Although the final score suggested a decisive win, Orem head coach Andy Stokes noted the game was much closer than it appeared.
Pleasant Grove controlled much of the first half, fueled by a defense that produced an early interception by Jake Bills. Ben Lyman contributed to the Vikings' early lead with field goals of 43 and 32 yards. Pleasant Grove running back Corbin Robbins later scored a five-yard touchdown run to extend the Vikings' lead to 13-0. Orem managed to trim the deficit to 13-7 before halftime when Tanner Lewis connected with Brooks Ross on a 40-yard touchdown pass, followed by an Adrian Sanchez point after.
Orem surged in the second half, led by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to Major Stokes. While Pleasant Grove regained a 16-14 lead following a 22-yard field goal by Lyman, the Tigers responded with significant scoring drives. Po Faumuni caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to give Orem the lead, and Beckham Curtis added a six-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Aoi Faumuni concluded the scoring with a 14-yard interception return with 1:03 remaining.
Orem's defensive front, consisting of MJ Bateman, Deuce Ofahengaue, Jag Iaone, and Major Stokes, pressured Pleasant Grove quarterback Cannon Jacobson throughout the second half. Orem, which holds a 9-2 record, moves on to the semifinals to face No. 14 seed Woods Cross, who recently defeated No. 6 seed Alta 31-24.
The Orem vs. Woods Cross semifinal is scheduled for Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium. In the other 5A semifinal, No. 1 seed West will play No. 4 seed Bountiful at 11 a.m.
