But as the score would indicate, the game also featured a stifling defensive effort from the Cavemen, standout special teams play and an offense that hit its stride late in taking in forging a lopsided score over rival Pleasant Grove.

In short, it was the first game of the year.

“Yeah, that’s kind of how it goes the first game of the season, but fortunately we recovered and were able to do some really nice things,” said American Fork Coach Aaron Behm. “I was really happy with our two special teams touchdowns and then in the fourth quarter we started to get things going on offense. It was a good win, but there’s obviously a lot to improve on.”

The Cavemen’s first touchdown came early courtesy of a muffed snap by Pleasant Grove on a punt attempt deep inside its own territory. American Fork’s Noah Behm effectively pounced on the football for a gifted 7-0 early lead.

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

Finishing off the first half scoring was American Fork running back Prince Afu, bulldozing into the endzone from 1-yard out, which was the first of his two touchdowns on the evening. In between all of it was a Caveman defense that kept the Vikings out-of-synch while applying consistent pressure during passing downs while bottling up the point of attack during rushing attempts.

“Our defense played great throughout the game. I was really happy with the effort there,” Aaron Behm said. “Most of our returning starters are on the defensive side of the ball, so it’s not a surprise that they were the guys that sort of led us out there tonight.”

At halftime, Aaron Behm took a measured approach.

“I just said that we’re going to press the reset button,” he said. “On defense we were playing great, but on offense we know that we’re better than we showed in the first half, and that the only ones stopping us were ourselves. But it definitely got better in the second half.”

The second half started about as well as Aaron Behm could have hoped for.

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

The opening kickoff was fielded by Caveman running back Carter Jorgenson who was able to manage himself toward the sideline and then outrun Pleasant Grove’s kick coverage for a 97-yard touchdown return that gave his team a 21-0 lead.

The rest of the third quarter was won out by the Vikings, who put three points on the board due to a 42-yard field goal from Landon Brown before American Fork really hit its stride in the final quarter.

The fourth quarter scoring was led off by American Fork quarterback Nate Childs who ran the ball in from six yards out to extend his team’s lead to 28-3. Throughout the game Childs rotated snaps with Kapano Manuela which will be the course of action for Aaron Behm until one of the two separates themselves.

“They both moved us down the field in different ways,” Aaron Behm said. “We’re going to let them compete until one of them wins out. Both of them have worked very hard and have great attitudes. They both deserve to be a starter, so making a decision one way or the other isn’t going to be easy. I thought both of them played well tonight.”

Topping off the scoring was Afu who galloped into the endzone from 10-yards out for his aforementioned second touchdown. Patrolling the sidelines as part of American Fork’s staff was former Caveman great and BYU great Lopini Katoa, who is in his first season helping coach at his Alma Mater.

“Having ‘Pini back with us is obviously a great thing to have,” Aaron Behm said of Katoa. “You see what Prince did, that’s what we need our backs to do and you wonder how Prince or our other backs are doing it. You got ‘Pini coaching them up and that’s why.”

With the win American Fork begins the season with a satisfying score, but a lot to still improve on as it moves forward to take on Timpview next Friday. Pleasant Grove will attempt to rebound with a game at Westlake.

American Fork running back Prince Afu celebrates following the first of his two rushing touchdowns in Friday's win over Pleasant Grove

Pleasant Grove defensive back Dexton Nuttall prior to the snap during Friday night's 35-3 loss to the Cavemen

American Fork quarterback Kapono Manuela scrambles for positive yardage vs the Vikings

Pleasant Grove quarterback Connor Ybarra releases a pass with American Fork pass rush bearing down on him

American Fork's defense kept the pressure on throughout the night

American Fork carries the American Flag on to the field after being introduced

American Fork football takes the field for the first time this season vs Pleasant Grove 8-15, 2025

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