Three area football programs punched their tickets to the state quarterfinals on Oct. 30, according to a Nov. 2 report. Skyridge, Lone Peak, and Highland are all scheduled to face tougher opponents in quarterfinal tests on Friday, Nov. 6.
Top-seeded Skyridge (10-1) is scheduled to host No. 8 American Fork (7-4) at Falcon Stadium on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. This matchup serves as a rematch of an Oct. 14 meeting where Skyridge won 21-15. In their first-round victory, the Falcons defeated Riverton 45-0. Quarterback Jagger Fountaine completed 19 of 24 passes for 254 yards and added 32 rushing yards, while receiver Omarian Sanders caught two touchdown passes. Junior running back Beckham Bennett scored on a three-yard run and finished with 68 yards on six carries. Senior receiver Dax Rehrer recorded 115 yards on five catches, including a 40-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Cannon Tripp. Skyridge head coach Justin Hemm stated that the team executed at a high level after a period of great practices.
American Fork entered the playoffs after losing three straight games to close the regular season. In their first-round win over No. 9 Copper Hills, DC Fonua scored a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown and an 18-yard rushing touchdown. Quarterback Nate Childs threw two touchdown passes. The team is led by head coach Aaron Behm, who is in his 17th season and has reached three state title games.
No. 7 Lone Peak (6-5) will travel to face No. 2 Mountain Ridge (11-0) on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. Lone Peak advanced with a 20-8 defensive victory over No. 10 Lehi. Kicker Zachary Zolman contributed two field goals, including a 48-yarder before halftime and a 38-yarder in the third quarter. Silivenusi Schaumkel returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, with KSL Sports reporting the return at 82 yards and Deseret News reporting it at 89 yards. Mountain Ridge enters the game undefeated and previously defeated Skyridge 41-26 in the season opener. Quarterback Jaxon Hunt has 47 touchdown passes on the season.
In 4A, No. 8 Highland (8-2) is scheduled to visit No. 1 Ridgeline (11-0) on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. Highland set a school scoring record during their first-round 70-42 win over No. 9 Bear River. Viliamu Ripley scored five touchdowns, including a 76-yard reception from quarterback Will Bauman, who also added a 39-yard rushing touchdown. Ridgeline enters the matchup after shutting out Mountain View 45-0, highlighted by four touchdown runs from Noah Fiefia.
The 6A and 4A state title games are scheduled for Nov. 20 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, according to KSL Sports.
