1 / 4

Wasatch running back Grady Coombs breaks it outside during a run versus Deer Creek. September 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

2 / 4

Wasatch running back Braxton Sandoval celebrates a late touchdown run versus Deer Creek. September 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

3 / 4

Wasatch defenders combine to drop Deer Creek behind the line of scrimmage during Friday's 40-9 win. September 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

4 / 4

Deer Creek quarterback Ashton Nord attempts a pass versus Wasatch on Friday. September 4, 2026

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

❮ ❯

If Wasatch coach Derik Bringhurst’s dozens of hugs given out at the conclusion of his team’s 40-9 win over Deer Creek seemed a little more heartfelt and earnest than normal, it’s because they absolutely were.

Friday marked the first ever meeting between two Heber-based high school programs, with Bringhurst not hiding any of the emotion involved.

“I know every single player and coach on that team,” Bringhurst explained. “I love them and want each of them to succeed, but then tonight, it was different, and you sort of want them to fail at the same time. So it was weird and yes, it was emotional for me.”

Deer Creek is in its first year as a brand new high school in Heber after Wasatch had stood as the Valley’s only high school since it opened in 1908. For it to happen, around half of the students that attended Wasatch switched over to Deer Creek, which of course involves more than several of the players Bringhurst has brought up and developed through the years.

“I’ve known everyone on that sideline for the last four years at least,” Bringhurst said. “And then I’ve been a middle school teacher as well, and so I’ve known them for multiple years throughout the Little Leagues. This is my 15th season here, so I’ve known these guys forever and I love the heck out of them. And I go way back with a lot of the coaching staff as well on Deer Creek’s side, so it was definitely a different experience for all of us.”

As one could imagine regarding a matchup of familiar foes, Friday’s game involved quite a bit of extra-curricular activity following whistles leading to more than several personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties assessed to either side.

“It’s funny because I promise you a lot of the players hung out with some of their players last night and probably will do so again tonight,” Bringhurst said. “So you’re competitive against each other, but then you’re still friends.”

The Wasps jumped out to an early 14-0 lead following a 6-yard touchdown run from Braxton Sandoval and a Grady Coombs 32-yard scoring reception from quarterback Aksel Wheeler. But just as Binghurst’s team appeared to be in control, Deer Creek scored on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Ashton Nord to Kai Betsinger to end the half and send the Riverhawk faithful into a bit of a frenzy.

“That got our attention, definitely,” Bringhurst said. “It let them all know that this game wasn’t close to being over and that we had to bring it in the second half.”

Wasatch did as their coached implored, outscoring Deer Creek 26-3 while dominating on both sides of the football. Coombs added two more touchdown runs from one and 36 yards respectively, while Sandoval topped off the night’s scoring with a 1-yard plunge into the endzone.”

The win marked the first for Wasatch this season and its unique roster that features almost no seniors and a bevy of sophomore and junior contributors.

“I think we have just five or maybe six seniors on our entire roster,” Bringhurst said. “So it’s been an interesting year, but we like this group and getting our first win out of the way was a big thing for us tonight.”

Following the game there was a drone show that featured the strong community of Heber and the subsequent relation between two schools and sets of students that are now poised to go from the closest of friends to rivals.

“This transition has been tough and interesting to say the least,” Bringhurst said. “But like I said before, I love the heck out of everyone at Deer Creek and wish all of them nothing but the best.”