Head Coach: Lance Reynolds (third season, 14-10 overall record)

2024 Record: 9-3 overall, 4-1 in Region

Playoffs: Lost to Timpview 42-8 in the 5A state quarterfinals

Players to Watch: Sr. WR/DB Kaue Akana, Sr. QB Tayden Kaawa, Sr. OL Warren Matina, So. OL Maui Tonata, Sr. RB Livai Moala, Sr. WR Max Stonebraker, So. OL Taio Fano, Jr. CB Will Rasmussen, Sr. LB Isaac Vaea, Sr. LB Dylan Dye, Sr. DT Sesi Nelson, Jr. DT Moti Lavaki, Sr. DL Lopeti Moala, Sr. DB Aisa Galeai, Sr. DL MJ Bateman

Outlook: Orem has featured some of the most talented teams in the entire state in recent years, but according to its head coach, Lance Reynolds, what will presented in 2025 may equal or even surpass all of them.

“I know it sounds crazy to say, but top to bottom, I believe that this probably as talented of a team as we’ve ever had here at Orem,” Reynolds said. “We have a lot of great returning talent, and then a lot of really talented newcomers that really fit in well in areas where we needed them.”

Orem has been known for great offense in recent years, although Reynolds believes his defense will define this year’s squad. He points to a secondary full of top playmakers that he expects to lead the way.

“I think our defensive backfield is going to see a lot of improvement from last year,” he said. “Last year we were very young there and now those players return with good experience and should be that much better with some key additions from other programs. I think overall we’re going to be able to really limit what teams do offensively, which is an area we struggled with last season.”

On offense the Tigers will rely heavily on returning quarterback Tayden Kaawa, an Alabama commit, along with a group of talented running backs and receivers that Reynolds believes will be highly productive.

“The talent on this team is deep and I counted 18 kids that have some sort of offer to play in college, which is pretty amazing,” Reynolds said. “Some of the offers are partial offers to lower division colleges, but that’s still pretty impressive.”

With Orem’s talent not in question, the big factor is team chemistry as Reynolds works to mesh a big influx of newcomers with his returning talent from a year ago effectively.

“How this team comes together is the big question we have,” he concluded. “But so far so good. The players look have had a good offseason and I’m liking the overall attitude and work ethic. I think we have the potential to be a really good football team this year.”

What is the best way to motivate today’s high school athletes? “I don’t know if there’s one specific key, but one thing we really work at is getting the kids to find their own motivation. I don’t want to be the coach behind them with a cattle prod to ride them all the time. That’s not the best way to do it. Our job is to show them how to succeed as best we can, and give them all the tools to succeed, but that motivation has to come from the players themselves.”