American leadership Academy (6-5) and UMA-Camp Williams (5-7) both made to the 2A and 8-player quarterfinals but were soundly defeated by South Summit and Monticello, respectively. It was still a record-setting campaign for ALA, starting with a four-game streak and assured their first winning season in school history with a 21-14 victory over Judge Memorial in the final week of the regular season.

Unfortunately, three other Utah Valley teams were eliminated by other valley teams. Again, I wish these intra-region contests could be avoided in the first round of play. As a past coach, it was always fun at the state tournaments to match up against another region to see where your league stood. And to have a bit of variety is the spice of life, right?

In 6A Lone Peak defeated Lehi 20-8, Pleasant Grove posted a 34-10 victory over Spanish Fork while Orem overwhelmed Timpview 55-7. In the quarterfinals, two valley teams will be eliminated again by other valley teams as 6A No. 8 American Fork takes on top seed Skyridge, while 5A No. 2 Orem will host No. 10 Pleasant Grove. It should be noted that Westlake’s season came to a close as the Thunder lost to Syracuse 35-19.

6A Lone Peak, 4A Provo, 5A Salem Hills and 5A Springville all hit the road for their next games. Provo as the No. 14 seed pulled off the biggest upset in the 4A tourney when they toppled No. 3 seed Stansbury 26-23.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

So let’s take a look at the upcoming games involving Utah Valley teams.

Class 6A

No. 8 American Fork (7-4) vs. No. 1 Skyridge (9-1): Nate Childs has filled in admirably for injured quarterback Jake Matsen and the Cavemen will need a big effort from their senior signal caller to have any hope to knock off the top seeded Falcons. Perhaps a defensive score like DC Fonua provided last week might be essential. Skyridge is a well-rounded offense with Beckham Bennett providing the ground assault while the aerial attack of quarterback Jagger Fountaine to Omarian Sanders has helped propel Skyridge to nine straight wins. American Fork kept it close in the first meeting, losing just 21-15.

Preece’s Prediction: Skyridge 28, American Fork 17.

No. 7 Lone Peak (6-5) vs. No. 2 Mountain Ridge (11-0): Lone Peak is better than its record and the Knights have a lot of tradition. Mountain Ridge is a newer school trying to find its way. The Sentinels did beat Skyridge 41-26 while Lone Peak fell to the Falcons 27-24. But with Ryan Denney calling the defense and superstar sophomore Kingston Stroshine patrolling things from his linebacker position along with brother Christian’s ball hawking skills in the secondary, don’t be surprised if Lone Peak can pull off the upset.

Preece Prediction: Mountain Ridge 23, Lone Peak 21.

Other 6A Preece’s Predictions: No. 4 Herriman (9-2) 28, No. 5 Davis (8-3) 24; No 3 Corner Canyon (9-2) 49, No. 11 Syracuse (6-4) 14.

Class 5A

No. 10 Pleasant Grove (7-4) vs. No. 2 Orem (8-2): In the first meeting Orem comfortably defeated the Vikings 35-10. Orem has plenty of weapons as quarterback Tanner Lewis tossed five touchdown passes to Brooks Ross alone and six altogether just last week. The Tiger ground attack is potent with Beckham Curtis and Po Faumuni. Pleasant Grove is led on offense by the likes of Corbin Robbins and Ryder Huntsman and by a defense that can get a little stingy. Expect this game to be closer than their first meeting.

Preece Prediction: Orem 31, Pleasant Grove 14.

No. 5 Springville (8-2) vs. No. 4 Bountiful (8-2): The last time these teams met were in the 2023 playoffs where Bountiful won in overtime 36-35 led by current BYU safety Faletau Satuala. It was an incredible game between two talented, hard-hitting teams. This match-up should be no different. Beckett Burton has come of age as the full-time Red Devil quarterback and Sam Nadauld is one of his top targets. Springville still likes the pound the rock and Treyton Harris is tough between the tackles. Phoenix Marks is also a very capable kicker and he might be the difference maker.

Preece’s Prediction: Springville 24, Bountiful 23.

Other 5A Preece’s Predictions: No. 1 West (11-0) 49, No. 8 Fremont (7-4) 14; No. 6 Alta (8-3) 31, No. 14 Woods Cross (5-6) 21.

Class 4A

No. 14 Provo (7-4) vs. No. 6 Skyline (8-3): The No. 14 seed for Provo was a bit ridiculous considering the Bulldogs nailed down a fourth straight league title. So it wasn’t a surprise to see the Bulldogs beat No. 3 Stansbury in the first round. Provo’s Drevin Christensen emerged as the quarterback after some early losses while the defense has been steady all season long. Talitonu Lesa is a sack machine and Brexton Hunter is a ball hawk. Lesa and Hunter have set school records in sacks and interceptions, respectively. Teave Brown and Justice Tela can move the ball via the ground. Skyline is a storied program and at one time was 38-0 in the playoffs playing at the Eagles Nest. But they have taken some playoff losses at home in recent years. Stansbury is a common opponent and Skyline lost to the Stallions in a close one in week one. The Eagles gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown last week to Pine View and Hunter is also a great return man.

Preece’s Prediction: Provo 28, Skyline 23.

No. 7 Salem Hills (9-2) vs. No. 2 Hurricane (10-1): Two teams with 19 combined victories should provide a great game. The Skyhawks will have to travel south giving the Tigers a bit of an edge. This Skyhawk team has some incredible skill players in the likes of quarterback Cash Hollingshead, running back Reggie Smith, and wide receivers Peyton Higginson and Gordon Wilson. Higginson and Wilson are also very good defensive players. Hurricane has turned its program around after several years of subpar seasons. The Tigers beat Park City 45-7 last week while Salem Hills beat the Miners 14-7. But don’t be fooled, this game is going to be a lot closer than that common opponent score suggests.

Preece’s Prediction: Hurricane 34, Salem Hills 27.

Other 4A Preece’s Predictions: No. 1 Ridgeline (11-0) 42, No. 8 Highland (8-2) 21; No. 5 Crimson Cliffs (8-2) 27, No. 4 Snow Canyon (7-3) 14.

Friday Night Heroes

Orem QB Tanner Lewis

Lewis threw for 410 yards and seven touchdowns as Orem routed Timpview 55-7 in the first round of the 5A playoffs.

Orem WR Brooks Ross

Ross caught nine passes for 157 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers defeated Timpview in the 4A first round.

Pleasant Grove RB Corbin Robbins

Robbins caught a touchdown pass and ran for another as PG topped Spanish Fork 34-10.

Pleasant Grove DB Davian Akwenye

Akwenye had a 55-yard ‘Pick Six’ as the Vikings prevailed over the Dons to advance to the 5A quarterfinals.

American Fork RB/DB DC Fonua

Fonua had an interception return of 34 yards for a touchdown, along with an 18-yard TD run which catapulted the Cavemen to a 32-21 win over Copper Hills.

American Fork K Jace Worthington

Worthington was 3-for-3 in extra points and nailed a 43-yard field goal to help American Fork earn a victory over Copper Hills in the 6A playoffs.

Lone Peak K Zachary Zolman

Zolman kicked field goals of 48 and 38 yards as the Knights topped Lehi 20-8 in the 6A first round.

Lone Peak LB Kingstron Stroshine

Stroshine had 14 tackles, including five for loss, along with causing two fumbles as Lone Peak beat Lehi.

Skyridge WR Omarian Sanders

Sanders had two touchdown receptions and five total catches for 78 yards as Skyridge shut out Riverton 45-0.

Skyridge LB Carter Seu

Seu had four tackles and a sack as Skyridge’s defense shut down Riverton in a 6A playoff victory.

Provo WR/DB Brexton Hunter

Hunter scored on a 71-yard scoring reception with just 43 seconds left in the game lifting Provo to a 26-23 4A playoff win over Stansbury.

Provo WR Liam Schoenrock

Schoenrock caught TD passes of 31 and 20 yards as Provo downed Stansbury in the 4A playoffs.

Springville WR/DB Sam Nadauld

Nadauld took a 97-yard kickoff return to the house as the Red Devils downed Olympus 27-10 in a 5A playoff game.

Salem Hills WR Gordon Wilson

Wilson caught four balls for 66 yards and two touchdowns as Salem Hills slipped past Mountain Crest 29-27 in overtime.

Salem Hills LB LJ McBride

McBride had 12 total tackles, seven solo, to lead the Skyhawk defense as Salem Hills beat Mountain Crest 29-27.