Lehi celebrates profitable a highschool soccer recreation in opposition to Nook Canyon at Nook Canyon Excessive Faculty in Draper on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. Lehi gained 25-24. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
Farmington’s Lucas Peterson (41) runs with the ball throughout a highschool soccer recreation in opposition to Bountiful at Farmington Excessive Faculty in Farmington on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. Farmington gained 24-3. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
Jack Johnson (2) of the Brighton Bengals shakes off a sort out from Akeli Naea (26) of the Olympus Titans, throughout a recreation in Holladay on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The Bengals gained 28-17. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
The primary week or two of the highschool soccer season at all times options surprises and perceived upsets, however it’s actually not till a number of weeks later that one can extra precisely decide their significance.
With the highschool soccer common season hitting the halfway level this previous weekend, now there’s completely sufficient of a pattern measurement to attract conclusions and challenge forward to what faculties we’ll nonetheless be speaking about in November.
That dialog begins with the 12 undefeated groups remaining throughout all six classifications, and Week 5 offered large litmus checks for arguably the 2 greatest groups within the state, Skyridge and Lehi. Each handed after rallying for victories, and now they’ll head into the second half of the season with a fair larger bull’s-eye on their backs.
Skyridge and Lehi each overcame double-digit deficits final week to stay undefeated, and one might argue that Lehi’s 25-24 win over Nook Canyon is essentially the most eye-opening results of your entire state.
A yr in the past in Week 5, Nook Canyon beat Lehi 52-7. The Pioneers regrouped and went 8-1 the remainder of the best way to win the 5A title.
With its greatest offensive and defensive participant returning this season, Lehi opened because the preseason No. 1 in 5A and never surprisingly crushed its first 4 opponents. However many figured a actuality test awaited in Week 5 in opposition to 6A juggernaut Nook Canyon.
That’s what it appeared like too when the Chargers went forward 24-0 early within the third quarter Friday, however Lehi didn’t cease combating and stunningly relied for the victory.
“I'm so happy with our gamers and the toughness and perseverance they confirmed. These wins are program builders due to who we beat. Coach (Eric) Kjar and his storied program have been the benchmark within the state for a number of years. I used to be happy with the best way we responded to Nook Canyon taking it to us within the first half,” stated Lehi coach Ed Larson.
Area 5 favourite Bonneville and Area 7 favourite Stansbury are the opposite two undefeated groups in 5A, and each can be favored to win out and head into the playoffs undefeated.
Timpview practically made it a quartet of good 5A groups, however finally fell to Skyridge 20-13 regardless of main 13-0 late within the first half.
Timpview will get one other likelihood to show it’s the most effective workforce in 5A when it takes on Lehi on Oct. 6 in a recreation that can seemingly decide the Area 8 champion.
For Skyridge, rallying to beat Timpview with its backup QB is proof this workforce has the kind of resiliency essential to finally win a 6A title. From a expertise standpoint, that was by no means in query because the Falcons’ roster is loaded with expertise that can play on Saturdays.
Skyridge nonetheless has to undergo the gauntlet of Area 4, however not like a yr in the past when that area seemed to be a three-horse race, this yr the standard of Skyridge’s protection will be the separator.
Farmington is the opposite 6A unbeaten workforce. Its solely shut recreation thus far was beating Nice Grove 19-14 within the opener.
On the time that win appeared like a ho-hum victory. However Nice Grove hasn’t misplaced since and is without doubt one of the shock groups in 6A, so if the Vikings can again up their robust begin with a number of extra wins in area play that bodes effectively for Farmington, and the way it might measure as much as Area 4 groups within the playoffs.
Final yr Farmington misplaced to Skyridge 52-7 within the quarterfinals.
Farmington’s Lucas Peterson (41) runs with the ball throughout a highschool soccer recreation in opposition to Bountiful at Farmington Excessive Faculty in Farmington on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. Farmington gained 24-3.
Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
In 4A, no clearcut favourite has emerged up to now with all however Crimson Cliffs and Dixie struggling a minimum of two losses. Defending champ Ridgeline struggled out of the gate however has since gained three straight and is trying like a repeat contender once more.
Class 3A is shaping as much as be a three-team race for the crown as Grantsville, Morgan and Juab all sit at 5-0. Every faculty has gained a state title prior to now three years. Defending state champion Grantsville and Morgan sq. off in Week 8 in a recreation that ought to decide the area title, whereas Juab doesn’t play both of the opposite two till a doable playoff matchup.
In 2A, San Juan sits at 5-0 and hasn’t skipped a beat after graduating virtually its whole offense from a yr in the past. South Summit additionally owns a 5-0 report because the workforce is rolling underneath first-year coach Michael Ruf.
With San Juan counting on so many new starters some anticipated a dropoff, however coach Barkley Christensen believed the expertise on this yr’s workforce had the potential to be even higher. By way of 5 video games, it seems to be like which will very effectively be true.
San Juan is trying to proceed the sample of back-to-back state champions that started in 2007 and 2008 when North Summit gained consecutive titles. There’s been a brand new champ each two years since then, and so they’ve at all times repeated. No workforce has gained a 3rd consecutive title although.
San Juan denied Beaver a three-peat final yr, and this November can be in search of its repeat.
In 1A, Enterprise and Kanab each personal 5-0 data on the halfway level, however neither acquired an excessive amount of love within the preliminary RPI rankings this week as they test in at fourth and sixth, respectively.
Layton Christian and Milford grabbed the highest two spots within the 1A RPI rankings due to robust opponents’ report. The truth is, with defending champion Duchesne struggling this yr, the chase for the 1A state title seems to be huge open.
Jack Johnson (2) of the Brighton Bengals shakes off a sort out from Akeli Naea (26) of the Olympus Titans, throughout a recreation in Holladay on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The Bengals gained 28-17.
Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information