Coach: Justin Hemm (3rd season, 21-6)

2024 Record: 10-3 overall, 5-0 Region 3

Playoffs: No. 2 seed, lost to Lone Peak 28-21 in the 6A semifinals

Players to Watch: Sr. QB Kaneal Sweetwyne, Sr. DL Harvie Moeai, Sr. DL Mason Oeser, Sr. LB Griffin Kunz, Sr. LB Easton Simmons, Sr. LB Luke Barrus, Jr. DB Jenaro Gilford Jr., Sr. DB Briggs Parker, Sr. RB Lincoln Tahi, Sr. WR Hunter Sheffield, Sr. WR Davis Fyans, Sr. WR Diesel Hunter

Outlook: Skyridge was on the cusp of winning it all last season and hopes to complete the process this time around. It’s a prospect familiar with the Falcons, as they’ve risen to become one of the top programs in the entire state on a year-to-year basis.

This season the Falcons feature a lot of good returning experience which has their coach, Justin Hemm, optimistic heading into the season.

“We have a lot of guys ready to take roles after sort of paying their dues and are ready for their opportunity,” Hemm said. “So you add those type of guys the returning starters we have and we’re feeling excited about what we can do.”

A lot of the work for the season occurs in the weight room during the offseason where players prepare themselves for the grind.

“I really like how our players have worked and I feel the effort in the offseason has been very good,” Hemm said.

As far as team offensive strengths go, Hemm points to his returning set of skill position players, led by returning quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne, who recently decommitted from BYU. Sweetwyne accounted for more than 3,600 yards of offense and 29 touchdowns last season. He will be fronted by a little less experience, but a lot of potential on the offensive line. On defense Hemm feels his team is strong all around and should pose one of the formidable units in the state.

“We’re feeling confident with all three levels defensively,” he said. “We have a couple of great defensive linemen returning in Harvie Moeai and Mason Oeser and all our linebackers are returners with experience. In the defensive backfield we’ll have two new players there, but those guys have looked great and should fit in really well. We really like what we have defensively.”

What’s the best way to motivate today’s high school athlete? “Fortunately I’ve found that most of the kids we have here are self-motivated, but the best way we can keep them motivated is by giving them the tools to be successful. It’s giving them the answers they need, whether it be offseason programs conditioning or our schemes, we have to make sure they know that when they step on the field that they can be successful.”

-Brandon Gurney