Top-seeded Skyridge will face No. 4 Herriman in the 6A state football semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. The Falcons enter the matchup following a 28-21 quarterfinal victory over No. 8 American Fork on Nov. 6, a win that extended their winning streak to 10 games.
Skyridge Secures Quarterfinal Win
The quarterfinal victory against American Fork was a narrow contest that saw Skyridge defend its postseason title. Junior quarterback Jagger Fountaine orchestrated the offense, accounting for three of the team's four touchdowns. Fountaine completed 12 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns, and he added a 26-yard rushing total, including an 11-yard touchdown run.
Key Performers in Victory
In the decisive moments of the game, Fountaine delivered a 31-yard touchdown strike to senior receiver Dax Rehrer with 3:31 remaining in the fourth quarter to secure the win. The victory followed a scoreless third quarter for both teams. Eli Mortensen contributed significantly to the Falcons' effort, scoring an 18-yard rushing touchdown in the opening quarter and adding a 74-yard touchdown reception later in the game. Mortensen's three catches for 124 yards and two scores were highlighted by Skyridge head coach Justin Hemm, who described the junior as a dynamic athlete capable of impacting both sides of the ball.
Defensive Resilience
The Skyridge defense proved vital in the second half, holding American Fork to one score after a 14-14 tie at halftime. Senior defensive lineman Sua Ripley recorded six tackles, two hurries, and a fumble recovery that set up one of Fountaine's rushing touchdowns. Linebackers Sa Tanuvasa and Rex Caswell led the defensive effort with 10 and 11 tackles respectively. Other defensive contributors included Andrew Price and Drayson Afalava, who recorded nine tackles each, and Jackson Horsley, who caused a fumble.
Herriman's Offensive Power
Herriman enters the semifinals with a 10-2 record after defeating No. 5 Davis 36-22 on Nov. 6. The Mustangs' offense is led by running back Filisi Filipe, who entered the quarterfinals with 1,542 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on 168 carries. Filipe added two more rushing touchdowns during the win over Davis. The Herriman offense also features quarterback Bryson Sweeney, who has thrown for 1,860 yards and 19 touchdowns entering the quarterfinals.
Defensive Matchup Preview
The matchup features a clash of high-performing defenses. Herriman ranks third in 6A in scoring defense, allowing 16.3 points per game, while Skyridge ranks sixth in the state with a scoring defense of 19.4 points per game. Herriman's defense is led by Kemper Castro, who has 11 sacks, and secondary players Logan Gregory and Aden Perea, who each recorded four interceptions entering the quarterfinals.
Skyridge Season Overview
Skyridge's path to the semifinals included a 4-0 record in Region 3 play and an opening-game loss to Mountain Ridge. The Falcons' offense is characterized by a balanced attack, with Omarian Sanders leading receivers with 45 catches for 662 yards and seven touchdowns. Fountaine has recorded 2,791 passing yards and 25 touchdowns on the season, according to Deseret News' statistical breakdown.
Championship Outlook
The winner of the Skyridge and Herriman semifinal will advance to play the winner of the Mountain Ridge and Corner Canyon game for the 6A state championship. Skyridge's head coach Justin Hemm, who led the Falcons to the 6A title game in his first season, noted that his team has become comfortable in high-pressure game situations.
