High school football: 5A semifinal previews

4 weeks ago7 min read5 comments

The 5A semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium present a fascinating tactical chess match, pitting West's offensive juggernaut against Orem's resilient squad in a rematch dripping with playoff tension. West, averaging a staggering 52.5 points per game, operates with the ruthless efficiency of a machine, quarterback Kamden Lopati functioning as its dual-threat CPU. With 3,291 total yards and 41 touchdowns, Lopati is the kind of player you build a dynasty around, a modern-day maestro who can dissect a defense through the air to targets like Mani Tu’uao and Junior Dixon or punish them on the ground.His partner in crime, Louie Hamilton, is a classic bell-cow back, amassing 1,658 yards and 28 touchdowns, a stat line that echoes the workhorse legends of the sport. Their lone blemish, an early-season loss to American Fork, now looks like a necessary calibration rather than a flaw, as their defense, anchored by Aisa Lopati’s 12 sacks, has been equally dominant, allowing a paltry 7.5 points per game. Yet, their quarterfinal performance against Bountiful, a season-low 14 points, raises a critical question: was it a one-off defensive struggle or a crack in the armor exposed just in time for the semifinals? Standing opposite them is an Orem team whose entire season now hinges on the health of quarterback Tayden Ka’awa.His concussion in the quarterfinal win over Woods Cross is the single biggest variable in this matchup; without his 2,371 yards and 32 touchdowns, the Tigers' offense loses its primary catalyst. While backup Lucky Suguturaga showed commendable poise, managing a playoff game against West’s ferocious defense is a different stratosphere of pressure.Orem’s path to victory is narrower, reliant on their own defensive stalwarts like sack artist Juni Moala and tackling machine Easton Kojima to contain Lopati and create turnovers, leveling the playing field. This isn't just another game; it's a narrative-rich revenge opportunity for West, who fell 35-27 to Orem in last year's playoffs, a game decided by Ka’awa’s late-game heroics.The stakes couldn't be higher, with the winner earning a ticket to the championship to face the survivor of the other compelling semifinal between Springville and Brighton. Speaking of Brighton, their Cinderella run is the stuff of high school football lore.After a middling 7-5 regular season, they've tapped into an intangible playoff magic, exemplified by their 27-14 dismantling of second-seeded Fremont. Their victory was a masterclass in complementary football: Kaden Hansen’s reliable leg provided the early points, and Jaxon Nettleton’s fumble recovery touchdown was the kind of momentum-swinging, opportunistic play that defines championship teams.

#featured

#high school football

#5A semifinals

#West vs Orem

#Brighton vs Springville

#playoffs

#Utah

#quarterback injuries