Here’s a look back at some of the big storylines:

Lone Peak upsets American Fork: Though Lone Peak is just 3-4 overall and 1-1 in league play, the Knights are dangerous and not an easy win for anyone. American Fork (6-1, 1-1) found out the hard way falling to the Knights 17-14 ending their six-game winning streak.

And once again it was the defense that stood out for Lone Peak. The Knights had another pick six for a touchdown, this time coming in the fourth quarter when Matthias Nawawine’s 45-yard interception return erased a 14-10 Caveman lead. It was Nawawine’s second interception return for a touchdown this season and it was the sixth pick six for the Knights in the last three games.

In this three-game span, the Knight offense has just managed two touchdowns while the special teams added another via a Trey Robinson 95-yard kickoff return to paydirt last week. But despite the lack of offensive scoring, the Knights went 2-1 knocking off undefeated American Fork and a powerhouse program from the Grand Canyon State in Highland, Arizona.

Pick-Sixes propel Provo to victory over Payson: Provo’s defense led the way in a close 26-23 win over Payson (3-4, 1-2). Provo (5-2, 3-0) got two pick sixes as Griffin DeMartini went to the house for 50 yards. Then DeMartini’s teammate Ky Jardine had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Bulldog defense also forced three field goals by Payson’s Logan Russell. Tagai Lesa and quarterback Soakai Ashton had touchdown runs for the Bulldogs, Ashton’s coming with just over four minutes remaining in the final stanza when Payson had taken a 23-19 lead.

Payson quarterback Kade Edwards had two touchdown runs including a 70-yard dash to the end zone to open up the game’s scoring as the Lions nearly pulled off a big upset win.

Maple Mountain’s pick-six by Tiger Frakes puts Orem away: The Spanish Fork Channel 17 broadcast team called Maple Mountain’s Tiger Frakes a “Tiger Killer” as the Golden Eagles tamed the Orem Tigers 31-14 Friday night.

Frakes’ pick-six early in the fourth quarter gave Maple Mountain a 24-7 lead and effectively put the game out of reach. Frakes also had another interception as did teammate Vili Fano as Maple Mountain improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in 5A Region 7 play. With the loss Orem dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in league action.

This Maple Mountain victory has to be considered a huge upset. Two games ago the Golden Eagles lost to Wasatch 35-34, while Orem crushed the Wasps 44-0 the week before that. But to borrow part of the NFL adage, “on any given Friday”.

Those fighting cancer honored by Maple Mountain: Plenty of orange ribbons were also on display throughout the stadium as Maple Mountain honored those individuals and families fighting childhood leukemia.

It was also a wonderful tribute to former Maple Mountain quarterback Bryson McQuivey who passed away in November of 2020 in his senior year of high school of this disease. McQuivey was a huge inspiration to the program as the Golden Eagles went 9-3 in 2020 before losing to Orem in the 5A quarterfinals.

Springville’s Valeti scores four touchdowns as the Red Devils romp to victory: Tevita Valeti had four rushing touchdowns as Springville defeated Wasatch 34-20. Valeti now has 18 rushing touchdowns and is third in the state behind San Juan’s Zach Conway (22) and Sky View’s Brevin Egbert (19). Valeti cracked the 1000 yard barrier and has 1,080 yards rushing, second statewide trailing Egbert who has 1,152.

Wasatch’s Ashton Southam hit two 43-yard field goals for the Wasps in the losing cause and is among the state leaders in kicking.

Skyridge extends winning streak to 14 games: In a battle of returning state championship teams, Skyridge defeated Lehi 35-17. After winning 24 games in a row, the Pioneers have lost two straight and fell to 0-2 in league play.

Jackson Stevens had two touchdown passes for the Falcons and now has 27 on the season. He trails Corner Canyon’s Isaac Wilson by just one touchdown pass for the state lead. Stevens, with 2020 passing yards in seven games, is fourth in the state in that category. Carter Sheffield had two rushing touchdowns for the Falcons and now has 11 on the season.

Pleasant Grove, Timpanogos and Timpview coast to easy victories: Pleasant Grove quarterback Carson Rasmussen ran for two scores and tossed another two to Bronco Winterton as the Vikings moved to 7-0 on the season and 2-0 in Region 3 play. Mataira Brown also had a scoop and score of 42 yards as the Vikings put up 35 first half points cruising to a 35-7 win over Westlake (1-6, 0-2).

Playing without star athlete Luke Livingston, Timpanogos (5-2, 2-1) still got a big 30-14 4A Region 8 win against Mountain View (2-5, 1-2). Easton Bretzing scored the three first touchdowns for the Timberwolves as they posted an early 21-0 first quarter lead.

Timpview (5-2, 3-0) scored early and often to ease to a 48-10 win over Cedar Valley as the Thunderbirds led the Aviators 41-3 at halftime. Tei Nacua hauled in three touchdown passes from Helaman Casuga, who had four on the night to go along with another one rushing.

Ugly win for Salem Hills in Vernal: Though Uintah is just 1-6 on the season and 0-3 in league play, the Utes put up a bit of a fight at home before eventually losing to Salem Hills (5-2, 2-1), 27-20. Christian Millar caught one pass as a receiver and connected on three of four extra points to lead the Skyhawks to a critical victory on the road.

ALA’s Kannon Huntsman shines in Eagle loss: ALA (1-6, 0-2) did lose to rival charter school Providence Hall (6-1, 2-0) 47-32, but that didn’t stop Eagle running back Kannon Huntsman from scoring four touchdowns via three different ways. Huntsman had two rushing touchdowns, one receiving, plus an 80-yard kickoff return to paydirt. Huntsman is among the state leaders in rushing touchdowns with 11, but as one can see, he is also dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield and as a return specialist.

Two former Orem HS players making splashes in the NFL: Former Orem High and University of Utah placekicker Matt Gay made NFL history by making four field goals from over 50 yards in the same game including the game winner from 53 yards as the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Baltimore Ravens 22-19 in overtime Sunday.

Meanwhile, former Tiger and BYU star Puka Nacua has made his presence known, breaking records. In the first two games for the Los Angeles Rams, Nacua has 25 catches, yes 25 catches, for 266 yards. His 15-catch game against the San Francisco 49ers was an NFL record for a single game for a rookie player.

Big Game of the Week No. 1: Things are never easy in 4A Region 3 and this week has a couple of great games. Pleasant Grove is undefeated in Region 3 and controls its own destiny. But the Vikings have to go on the road to face American Fork that is steaming about a close loss to Lone Peak last week. Pleasant Grove did beat Lone Peak 24-19 two weeks ago, while American Fork lost last week to the Knights, 17-14. This game looks like one that will come down to the final possession.

Big Game of the Week No. 2: In a battle of the last two 6A state title teams, undefeated Skyridge will host Lone Peak. The Knights are much better than their 3-4 record as their win last week against previously unbeaten American Fork shows. Lone Peak’s defense has been stellar and opportunistic, scoring six touchdowns via interception return in the last three games. Now the Knights take on Skyridge led by Jackson Stevens, one of the most prolific passers in the state the past two seasons. The Falcons also have a great defense, so it will be important for Lone Peak’s offense to do a bit more for the Knights to have a chance against their heated rival.

Big Game of the Week No. 3: Maple Mountain’s big win against Orem puts them right in the thick of the 5A Region 7 race. The Golden Eagles face a gauntlet of games to finish the season taking on Springville and Timpview in successive weeks in league play and then a game against a tough 4A program in Mountain Crest to end the regular season. The first step to set up a possible showdown with Timpview for the league title is for the Golden Eagles to go on the road and get a win against a very good Springville squad. Springville will try to get physical with the Golden Eagles and let star running back Tevita Valeti dominate the game.

Extra Points: Two teams finally got in the win column as Farmington beat Layton in a battle of winless teams, 43-21. Meanwhile, Juan Diego defeated Union 31-18 to notch its first victory of the 2023 campaign … Saint Joseph got its first win in program history in 1A 8-player football when it dismantled the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind (USBD), 64-0. USBD played 8-player football last season but just two games. According to their published schedule, this was the second and last game for the Jayhawks … Seven teams went over 60 points in their wins on Friday. And Water Canyon went for 80 points in its 80-12 victory over Whitehorse in 1A 8-player football. Bountiful shut out Clearfield 67-0 and actually led by that score at halftime. Manti broke the 60-point barrier for the second straight game defeating previously unbeaten Canyon View, 61-40. San Juan defeated South Sevier 64-0 to extend their win streak to 32 games, while breaking the 60-point barrier for the fourth time in seven games … Skyline fell to West 57-9 to remain winless at 0-7. Skyline has only gone winless once in 62 seasons of football, and that came in its inaugural season in 1961 … Eight programs still remain winless in 2023 while seven teams are still undefeated with two of them (Pleasant Grove and Skyridge) being from Utah County … There were only three games where Utah County teams played teams outside the valley. The results were two wins against one loss and Utah County now stands a very impressive 36-19 overall.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald