Best of the Best: 2024 Daily Herald All-Valley Football Team
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- Lone Peak quarterback Kepa Niumietolu passes the ball against Skyridge in the 6A football semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
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- Timpview defenders make a tackle during the 5A semifinal against Roy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
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- Lone Peak’s Landon Goff returns a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown against Skyridge in a 6A football semifinal game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork head coach Dustin Smith makes a call during the 4A championship game against Crimson Cliffs at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Kaden Vest carries the ball up the field during the 4A championship game against Crimson Cliffs at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
Congratulations to the top football players in the Utah Valley area in 2024:
Player of the Year: Kaden Vest, Sr. RB, Spanish Fork
Vest proved to be a powerful workhorse who came up big throughout the season, setting the tone with his physical running and determination. He finished with 303 carries for 2,639 yards with 32 TDs rushing
Offensive MVP: Jett Niu, Sr. QB, Lehi
Niu displayed a calm presence in the pocket, making quick reads to get the ball out to the numerous Pioneer playmakers. He ended up going 195-of-341 for 2,857 yards with 29 TDs and just 10 interceptions, while adding three TDs rushing
Defensive MVP: Taaniela Makasini, Sr. LB, Timpview
Makasini was a monster athlete who had to be accounted for on every play or he would blow things up — and often did it anyway even when blocked. He capped an impressive year with 146 tackles including 17.5 TFL and four sacks.
Special teams MVP: Landon Goff, Sr. KR/DB, Lone Peak
Kicking to Goff was always a dangerous proposition, as he ended up with 596 kickoff return yards and 162 punt return yards, including three touchdowns. He was also valuable in the Knight secondary, coming up with seven interceptions and 55 tackles on defense.
Coach of the Year: Dustin Smith, Spanish Fork
Smith and his staff culminated years of effort and development in one of the best seasons ever for the Dons. He got his tough squad of hard-nosed athletes to make it all the way to the 4A state finals and come within a whisker of getting the school’s first title, losing in triple overtime.
2024 All-Valley Football First Team (alphabetical order)
Kaue Akana, Jr. WR/K, Orem
Akana had a knack for making big plays when the ball was in the air (79 receptions, 1,261 yards, 14 TD) while also being a reliable kicker for the Tigers.
Aaron Dunn, Sr. OL, Spanish Fork
Dunn used his size (6-8, 285) and length to open holes for the Don run game and give the pass game time to find gaps down the field.
Hutch Fale, Sr. LB, Provo
Fale put together another excellent defensive season for the Bulldogs, totaling 111 tackles with seven tackles for loss and a sack.
Aisa Galea’i, Jr. DB/ATH, Timpview
Galea’i could be found all over the field, whether on defense (82 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 6 interceptions) or offense (358 all-purpose yards with 10 TDs).
Andrew Hillstead, Jr. QB, Timpanogos
Hillstead showed his impressive ability to move the ball through the air for the Timberwolves (255-of-418, 3,066 yards, 35 TD, 7 INT).
Kannon Huntsman, Sr. RB/LB, ALA
Huntsman continued to be one of the most impressive players in Class 2A, finishing with 1,990 all-purpose yards (173 carries for 1,076 yards with 13 TD rushing, 28 receptions for 790 yards and 11 TD receiving and 114 return yards). He also had 28 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions on defense.
Feleti Iongi, Sr. RB/DB, Orem
Iongi was the engine that made the Tiger offense go for most of the season, whether running the ball (165 carries, 1,389 yards, 15 TD) or pulling it down out of the air (52 receptions, 854 yards, 7 TD).
Brock Jacobsen, Sr. ATH, Spanish Fork
Jacobsen put together one of the great all-around showings in history, coming up with 89 receptions for 1,345 yards and 15 TDs as a receiver, 65 carries for 550 yards and eight TDs as a receiver, 81 tackles with two TFL and a sack on defense, and 588 kickoff/punt return yards on special teams.
Matthias Lesa, Sr. LB, Timpview
Finding Lesa usually meant looking in the opposing offense’s backfield as he was a nightmare to block, tallying 24.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks to go with 120 tackles.
Paul Latu, Sr. LB, Lehi
Latu was a force for the Pioneer defense who was always getting stops, ending up with 92 tackles and added 5.5 tackles for loss with two sacks.
Oliver Mackay, Sr. RB/DB, Provo
Mackay was an old-school running back who relished getting the tough yards or breaking free for big gains (250 carries, 1,688 yards, 26 TD).
Jayden Mayberry, Sr. DB, Lone Peak
Mayberry was such a shut-down defender that opponents stopped throwing his way entirely, although he still ended up with six interceptions (a couple of which he returned for TDs) to go with 50 tackles (41 solo).
Bott Mulitalo, Jr. DL, Lone Peak
Opposing linemen had their hands full against Mulitalo, who used his strength and athleticism to get to the ball carrier or quarterback (45 tackles, 16 TFL).
Austin Pay, Sr. OL, Lone Peak
A 6-foot-7, 280-pound senior, Pay proved to be a key leader for the Knight offense, setting the tone for his team as it made it to the 6A state championship.
Jaron Pula, Jr. WR, Timpview
Pula proved to be almost impossible to stop in one-on-one coverage and even two defenders often couldn’t stop him from making highlight-reel catches (79 receptions, 1,200 yards, 8 TD).
Carson Rasmussen, Sr. QB, Timpview
Despite having his season cut short by injury, Rasmussen still had tremendous numbers in both passing (142-of-209, 1,997 yards, 19 TD, 3 INT) and rushing (51 carries, 383 yards, 5 TD).
Zeden Selu, Sr. RB, Skyridge
Selu knew how to hit the hole hard and rarely went down on first contact, churning through arm tackles or eluding diving defenders (203 carries, 1,117 yards, 20 TD).
Landon Shumway, Sr. LB, Mountain View
Shumway had another brilliant season as the defensive star for the Bruins, racking up an impressive 142 tackles with five TFL and three sacks.
Mckay Smith, Sr. QB, Spanish Fork
Smith was a huge part of the dynamic Don offense, putting up some of the best passing numbers in the state (230-of-332, 3,208 yards, 30 TDs 5 INT).
Kaneal Sweetwyne, Jr. QB, Skyridge
Sweetwyne exemplified the challenges of stopping a dual-threat quarterback as he could tuck it and run (155 carries, 930 yards, 10 TD) or go to the air effectively (185-of-299, 2,675 yards, 19 TD, 16 INT).
Nusi Taumoepeau, Sr. LB/ATH, Westlake
Despite being the focal point of every opponent’s offensive game play, Taumoepeau was a force for the Thunder defense (88 tackles, 13 TFL, 13 sacks) and made a difference on offense as well (37 carries, 361 rushing yards, 8 TD).
DeShawn Toilolo, Sr. LB, Skyridge
Toilolo continued to be both an emotional leader and a dynamic presence for the Falcons defense, finishing with 10.5 sacks, 15 TFL and 57 total tackles.
Lisiate Valeti, Jr. RB/DB, Springville
It was rare to see Valeti ever come off the field for the Red Devils, particularly when injuries forced him to increase his workload both on offense (148 carries, 776 yards, 7 TD) and defense (82 tackles, 4 TFL).
Cade Wilkinson, Sr. WR, American Fork
Wilkinson drew a lot of attention from opposing defensive backs but he was difficult to slow down, finishing with 74 receptions for 1,065 yards and 11 TDs on offense and 356 return yards for the Caveman special teams.
Carson Wren, Sr. LB, Lehi
Wren established himself as one of the most reliable tacklers in the state as he set the tone for the Pioneer defense with his performance week-in and week-out (134 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks).
2024 All-Valley Football Second Team (alphabetical order)
Darius Afalava, Sr. OL, Skyridge
Impressive physical presence in the trenches
Tate Allred, Sr. LB/RB, Salem Hills
118 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 549 rushing yards, 6 TD
Crew DeMartini, Jr. DB/WR, Provo
9 interceptions (led state), 44 tackles
Griffin DeMartini, Jr. WR/LB, Provo
44 receptions, 781 yards, 12 TD, 9 sacks 48 tackles
Brody Downs, So. LB, Pleasant Grove
131 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 sacks
Devaughn Eka, Jr. RB, Lehi
145 carries, 968 yards, 13 TD, 31 receptions, 310 yards, 2 TD
Legend Glasker, Jr. WR, Lehi
37 receptions, 781 yards, 11 TD
Cade Hanson, Sr. LB, Lone Peak
117 tackles (83 solo), 4 TFL
Ben Howard, Sr. OL, Skyridge
Reliable blocker who always seemed to be in the right place
Dexton Havea, Jr. RB/LB, Mountain View
183 carries, 1,139 yards, 14 TD
Tiger Hakes, Sr. LB, Maple Mountain
109 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks
Easton Leavitt, Sr. QB, Springville
143-of-271, 2,570 yards, 28 TD, 10 INT
Tayden-evan Kaawa, Jr. QB, Orem
187-of-294, 2,890 yards, 28 TD, 9 INT, 318 rush yards, 4 TD
Kalvin Liavaa, Sr. LB, Lone Peak
111 tackles (70 solo), 7 TFL, 2 sacks
Mays Madsen, Sr. WR, Lehi
58 receptions, 889 yards, 12 TD
Eli Mauga, Sr. RB, Maple Mountain
180 carries, 1,018 yards, 12 TD
Derek Morehouse, Sr. WR/DB, Maple Mountain
55 receptions, 910 yards, 6 TD, 439 return yards
Tua Naufahu, Jr. DE/TE, Springville
121 tackles, 18 TFL, 14 sacks
Kepa Niumeitolu, Jr. QB, Lone Peak
138-of-283, 1,957 yards, 18 TD, 6 INT, 93 carries, 383 yards rushing, 7 TD
Tommy Olsen, Sr. OL, Lehi
Battering ram on the line who overpowered opponents
Gehrig Orchard, Jr. QB, Provo
173-of-290, 2,757 yards, 27 TD, 10 INT
Jack Pickering, Sr. WR/DB, Springville
44 receptions, 880 yards, 11 TD, 48 tackles
Hyrum Stafford, So. QB/LB, Mountain View
106-of-209, 1,677 yards, 13 TD, 11 INT
Tad Swarnes, Sr. WR/DB, ALA
70 receptions, 1,078 yards, 13 TD, 46 tackles on defense
Sean Tahi, So. RB/LB, Lone Peak
122 carries, 870 yards, 12 TD
2024 All-Valley Football Third Team (alphabetical order)
Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, Sr. WR/DB, Timpview
48 receptions, 662 yards, 9 TD
Soakai Aston, Sr. RB/QB, Timpview
63-of-84, 978 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT, 77 carries, 346 yards, 4 TD
Wade Christiansen, Sr. RB, Pleasant Grove
181 carries, 828 yards, 9 TD
Tavian Edwards, Sr. DB, Skyridge
Dangerous returner (229 return yards), 27 tackles, 1 INT
Beckham Featherstone, Sr. DL, Westlake
10.5 sacks, 41 tackles
Gavin Fenn, Sr. K, Lehi
13 made field goals, 46 made PAT, 40-yard average punt
Kalvin Floyd, Sr. WR/DB/K, Mountain View
44 receptions, 792 yards, 9 TD, 4 interceptions and 57 tackles on defense
Gabe Graf, Sr. WR/DB, Timpanogos
66 receptions, 976 yards, 15 TD
Max Harris, Jr. RB/LB, Springville
102 carries, 726 yards, 5 TD
Brayden Jakins, Sr. K, Cedar Valley
9-of-12 FGs, long of 45 yards, 34 KO touchbacks
Mason Jensen, Sr. QB, Maple Mountain
153-of-248, 2,103 yards, 22 TD, 10 INT
Ioakopo Malufau, Sr. DL, Skyridge
53 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4 sacks
Nicolas Marble, Jr. QB, ALA
173-of-299, 2,812 yards, 30 TD, 12 INT
Toby Mealer, Sr. OL, Lone Peak
Strong blocker for both run and pass plays
Jedi Nelson, Sr. QB, Salem Hills
142-of-241, 1,927 yards, 19 TD, 9 INT
Drake Peterson, Sr. WR/DB, Springville
42 receptions, 845 yards, 7 TD, 46 tackles
Junior Tahi, Sr. LB/FB, Lone Peak
10 sacks, 68 tackles, 22 TFL
Penisimani Takitaki, Jr. DL, Lehi
58 tackles, 9 sacks
Tuiono Valeti, Jr. LB/FB, Springville
101 tackles 5 TFL
Trevyn Wall, Jr. QB, Payson
218-of-387, 2,738 yards, 23 TD, 10 INT
Kai Wesley, Jr. TE, Orem
267 receiving yards, 3 TD, physical blocker
Corbin Yoder, Sr. LB, Salem Hills
113 tackles, 2 TFL
Brady Zabriskie, Sr. DB, Cedar Valley
76 tackles, 12 PBU, 4 TFL, 3 INT
HONORABLE MENTION
AMERICAN FORK: Daniel Gaisford Jr., Lewis Knecht, Beckham Rees, Will Meine, Justin Bourgeois, Prince Afu, Luke Broadbent, Noah Behm, Corbin Bauerle, Mitt Palmer, Beckham Reese.
ALA: Gabriel Hill, Mason Ober, Nathan Tanner, Kael Worthen, Jesus Lopez, Wesley Haston.
CEDAR VALLEY: Ayden Laws, Cole Christensen, Carlos Marquez, Jace McClellan, Holden Rich, James Young, Jed Feller, Josh Bateman, Jaxin Monson, Bridger Dastrup, Manning Linde.
JUAB: Beau Halvorsen, Brock Richards, Porter Jackson, Jay Rowley, Andrew Woodland, Jaden Heap, Carter Wilson, Wyatt Downward, Cooper Nelson, Rance Christensen.
LEHI: Ezaiah Mama, Bryton Niu, Abe Jager, Leo Esikia, Griffin Faamausili, Ozzie Williams, Isaac Sweat, Nolan Morris
LONE PEAK: Jasean Mayberry, Owen McNeel, Ike Staley, Bear Tenney, Wesley Valgardson, Sam Wright, Cooper Stosich, Toa Tanuvasa, Breckin Carr.
MAPLE MOUNTAIN: Uhila Wolframm, Brooks Ross, Easton Kojima, Farren Hardy, Maddox Sabey, Jag Ioane, Carsten Fegan, Jay Diediker, Zack Jensen.
MOUNTAIN VIEW: Kenyon Kunz, Beau Peterson, Ben Jacob, Michael Earnest, Paula Pahulu, Andre Romero, Kenji Burgi.
OREM: AJ Snow, Isaac Vaea, Ryker Mikkelsen, Will Rasmussen, Burnham Sudweeks, Ma’ake Apo, Micah Seufale.
PAYSON: David Fullmer, Seth Staley, David Keel, Asher Geldmacher, Blane Christensen, Brogen Broderick.
PLEASANT GROVE: Ryder Huntsman, Spencer Hafoka, Nathan Schroeder, Bo Goodman, Derek Brinton, Dexton Nuttall, Carter Wilkes.
PROVO: Bryant Larsen, Malik Filimoe’atu, Mason Gregory, Pulu Weber, Ronnie Wright, Luke Hansen, Limhi Mateaki, Rawhiti Tuilevuka.
SALEM HILLS: Porter Dinkins, Ryker Van Zyverden, Peyton Higginson, Grayson Wilson, Treygan Fusselman, Ben Stahli, Brenner Nielson, Ashton Hansen, Ethan Hopkins.
SKYRIDGE: Filimone Fangupo, Junior Coughlin, Ryder Holt, Mataalii Benjamin, Griffin Kunz, Jared Iakopo, Davis Fyans, Hunter Sheffield, Boston Sorensen, Joshua Hansen.
SPANISH FORK: Gage Christensen, Bronson Kalauli, Cael Cabreros, Kal Roberts, Noah Kemper, Breakir Killpack, Elias Naulu, Ethan Smith.
SPRINGVILLE: Reed Deede, Zachary Olsen, Treyton Harris, Sione Moala, Jonathan Zafra, Brigham Penrod, Peyton Mesinar.
TIMPANOGOS: Robby Parsons, Dash McCann, Jameson Jones, Cougar Peterson, Marlee Iosefa, Hudson Woodbury, Parker Harvey, Jesse King, Netane Fakahafua, Matai To’a.
TIMPVIEW: Lawyer Atuaia, Kennan Pula, Braxton Wilkerson, Trinity To’a, Sei Lesa, Dennis Tua’one, Chevas Gregory, Daniel Beckstead, Puaa Mo’unga, Lee Maile, Alema Foster.
UMACW: Talan Andersen, David Burr, David Shern, Johnny Holfert
WASATCH: Ben Brand, Mack Kelson, Jack Neff, Parker Turner, Ashton Nord.
WESTLAKE: Sale Fano, Lorenzo Augusto, Dreysen Afuvai, Brighton Balser, Ashton Taylor, Jaxton Laddimore, Shane Siudzinski, Matai M Tongi.
