No. 4 Orem vs. No. 1 West
When top-seeded West hosts fourth-seeded Orem at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday morning, spectators will witness a clash between two of Utah’s most explosive offenses with a championship spot on the line.
The Panthers (11-1) enter the semifinal averaging a staggering 52.5 points per game, while Orem (10-2) counters with 38.2 points per game. Both defenses have been equally impressive, with West allowing just 7.5 points and Orem giving up 12.5 points per game.
West’s dominance has been near total this season, with his only setback coming in an Aug. 18-12 loss to American Fork. The Panthers swept regional play, scoring more than 40 points in nine games before showing defensive grit in last week’s 14-3 quarterfinal win over Bountiful.
The Tigers’ main concern heading into Thursday is the health of quarterback Tayden Ka’awa, who exited last week’s 35-7 quarterfinal win over Woods Cross with a concussion in the second quarter. Ka’awa (2,371 yards, 32 TDs) has been the engine of Orem’s offense, but backup Lucky Suguturaga performed admirably in relief, completing 8 of 10 passes for 91 yards.
West’s offense centers around the dynamic duo of quarterback Kamden Lopati and running back Louie Hamilton. Lopati has accumulated 3,291 total yards (2,549 passing, 742 rushing) and 41 touchdowns (32 passing, nine rushing) this season, while Hamilton has accumulated 1,658 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.
The Panthers’ receiving corps features multiple weapons, with Mani Tu’uao (22 catches, 476 yards, seven TDs), Junior Dixon (22 catches, 516 yards, four TDs) and Monson Vaenuku (18 catches, 455 yards, six TDs) all posing significant threats.
Orem counters with its own offensive arsenal led by running back Aisa Galea’i (443 yards, seven TDs) and receivers Kaue Akana (31 catches, 482 yards, nine TDs) and Mack Ellison (16 catches, 484 yards, four TDs).
Defensively, Orem relies on the disruptive force of Juni Moala (16 sacks) and tackling machine Easton Kojima (107 tackles), while West’s defense features Aisa Lopati (12 sacks) and Spencer Mafi (70 tackles).
Last week’s quarterfinals provided stark contrasts for both programs. West’s typically explosive offense was held to a season-low 14 points against Bountiful, with Lopati connecting with Tu’uao for a 7-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and finding Tu’uao for an 8-yard score just before halftime.
Meanwhile, Orem dismantled Woods Cross 35-7 despite losing its starting quarterback, showing its depth and resilience.
The semifinal matchup represents a rematch of last year’s second-round thriller when Orem beat West 35-27. The Tigers broke a 21-21 tie with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 44-yard strike from Ka’awa.
The winner advances to face either No. 3 Springville (11-1) or No. 7 Brighton (7-5) in the 5A championship on Thursday, Nov. 20.
No. 7 Brighton vs. No. 3 Springville
When seventh-seeded Brighton takes on third-seeded Springville on Thursday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Bengals will carry the unmistakable swagger of a team that defies expectations.
Brighton (7-5) beat second-seeded Fremont 27-14 in the quarterfinals, continuing a playoff run that seems unlikely after its early-season struggles. The Bengals built a 13-7 halftime lead on two Kaden Hansen field goals before Jaxon Nettleton’s pivotal 14-yard fumble recovery touchdown with just 36 seconds left in the third quarter gave Brighton a commanding 20-7 lead.
The Red Devils (11-1) present a formidable challenge, riding a 10-game winning streak after dispatching Box Elder 28-21 in the quarterfinals. Treyton Harris delivered the decisive blow with a 38-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to secure Springville’s berth in the semifinals.
Springville’s running game has overwhelmed its opponents all season. The one-two punch of Lisiate Valeti (1,040 yards, eight touchdowns) and Tua Naufahu (798 yards, 13 touchdowns) fuels an offense that averages 33.2 points per game. Naufahu’s versatility extends to defense, where he recorded 102 tackles and 10 sacks.
Brighton counterattack with a balanced attacking approach. Quarterback Ryce Palepoi has thrown for 1,673 yards and 16 touchdowns, frequently connecting with Jayce Evans (575 yards, seven touchdowns) and Slade Taylor (497 yards, six touchdowns). The Bengals running game features Judah Valle (339 yards, six touchdowns) and Cole Heemeyer (544 yards, five touchdowns).
Defensively, the contrast is stark. Springville allows just 11 points per game, while Brighton allows 27. The Red Devils’ defensive backbone includes Tuiono Valeti (115 tackles) and the aforementioned Naufahu.
The statistical advantage clearly favors Springville. The Red Devils average 33.2 points offensively and only allow 11 on defense. Brighton scores 24.4 points per game and gives up 27, making it one of the few semi-finalists with a negative scoring differential.
Brighton’s playoff magic has been characterized by timely defensive plays, particularly against Fremont, where Hansen’s field goals and Nettleton’s defensive touchdown turned the tide against the top-ranked Silverwolves.
The semifinal represents each program’s best chance in years to end long championship droughts. Brighton’s only state title came in 1982, while Springville’s only championship was in 1985. Brighton has not reached the title game since 2013, while Springville last appeared in 2021, falling to Lehi.
The last time these teams met in 2020, Brighton edged Springville 28-21 in a contest where all the points came before halftime, with two rushing touchdowns by Brighton’s Gabe Curtis.
The winner advances to face top-seeded West (11-1) or fourth-seeded Orem (10-2) in the 5A championship on Thursday, Nov. 20.