Prep Rewind: Key matchups to determine RPI for state
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- Nainoa Manley (38) and his teammates run onto the field before a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Spanish Fork’s Dawson McGee (in white) tries to bring down Springville’s Siaosi Taki in a Region 7 football game on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Lehi defenders try to make a tackle during the Region 3 game at American Fork on Friday, Oct. 3, 2026.
This is the final week of the regular season and teams are fighting to either get into the playoffs or improve their positions.
For the larger classifications (4A, 5A and 6A), the top 16 make the playoffs. However, this isn’t based on region standings like the days of the old but rather the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) system. The RPI is calculated at 45 percent on your record, 45 percent on the record of your opponents and 10 percent based on the record of your opponent’s opponents. It sounds a bit confusing but the origin of the system makes a lot of sense. Some regions or leagues are stronger than others and ideally it helps teams that play more rugged competition.
Other important demarcations includes being seeded in the top eight, which earns a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Being seeded in the top four means two home playoff games barring being upset in the initial round.
However, this last week certainly shook things up a bit more and that’s exactly what Timpview (No. 18 in 5A) hopes for as the Thunderbirds might miss the playoffs for the first time since 1989. There are plenty of big games this week — mostly on Wednesday — so let’s take a look at the implications.
CLASS 6A
No. 5 Westlake (7-2) at No. 2 Mountain Ridge (9-0): This is the biggest game in Westlake’s history because if it can pull off the shocker the Thunder would get a piece of the Region 2 title. At No. 5, a win could propel the Thunder into the No. 4 spot and the chance to host two playoff games. A win by Mountain Ridge might propel them back to No. 1 in the RPI, but the Sentinels should finish no lower than No. 2. This game is Friday at 7 p.m.
No. 16 Cedar Valley (1-8) at No. 3 Herriman (7-2): Cedar Valley is trying to hold off Layton (2-7) for that last playoff spot in 6A. Asking the Aviators to knock off Herriman might be a stretch and No. 17 Layton finishes up at No. 13 Farmington (3-6). Get the calculators ready to determine this last 6A playoff spot. This game is scheduled Thursday at 7 p.m.
No. 7 Lehi (5-4) at No. 4 Corner Canyon (7-2): Both teams want to win this one badly. Corner Canyon wants to stay in the top four and Lehi wants to stay in the top eight as the Pioneers are mere fractions of a decimal point ahead of both rivals American Fork and Lone Peak.
No. 8 American Fork (6-3) at No. 1 Skyridge (7-1): The Falcons moved up to No. 1 ahead of undefeated Mountain Ridge, though the Sentinels actually gave Skyridge its only loss. American Fork is good enough to pull off the upset so Skyridge needs to bring its ‘A’ game for sure. At No. 8 currently, American Fork would get to host a first-round playoff game but a win here is essential to protect that position.
No. 14 Bingham (3-6) at No. 9 Lone Peak (4-5): This is a non-league clash but still has critical RPI implications, especially for the Knights. If Lone Peak wins and American Fork and Lehi lose, the Knights could shoot up to at least the No. 7 spot and get that home playoff game.
CLASS 5A
No. 18 Timpview (3-6) at No. 6 Spanish Fork (6-3): It seems almost laughable, yet tragic, to see Timpview rated this low. But in the old system, the Thunderbirds would likely still be blocked out of the playoffs. Timpview has played a tough schedule but the absence of actual wins is the problem. If the T-Birds do improve two or three spots, I’m not sure either West (No. 1) or Orem (No. 2) would want to face off with this traditional powerhouse in the first round. As for the Dons, moving into the top four might be a stretch even if they are victorious but they don’t want to slip out of the top eight either.
No. 23 Maple Mountain (2-7) at No. 2 Orem (7-2): The Tigers are too far behind to overcome No. 1 West but could lose ground to No. 3 Box Elder which is right on their heels, even with a win. As for Maple Mountain, they are going to miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
No. 16 Payson (3-6) at No. 11 Pleasant Grove (5-4): The RPI has Payson’s record at 3-5 and Pleasant Grove at 4-4. Best guess here is that each played independent Layton Christian and that game doesn’t count in the RPI standings? Payson lost that game while the Vikings actually gave the Eagles their only loss. At any rate, probably a must-win for the Lions to stay at No. 16.
No. 4 Springville (7-2) has a bye and the Red Devil faithful have a right to be nervous that perhaps No. 5 Bountiful (6-2) or even No. 6 Alta (6-3) could win their games and slide past Springville into that top four position, which again gives a team a chance to host the first two playoff games.
CLASS 4A
No. 15 Provo (5-4) at No. 20 Timpanogos (5-4): It’s unfortunate to see Timpanogos at No. 20 because the Timberwolves are better than this ranking. Last week they beat Park City, which is ranked No. 14. So it’s a must-win game for the Timberwolves and perhaps even Provo. I’m sure the current No. 2 ranked Hurricane Tigers don’t want to see the Bulldogs on that No. 15 line. And if Provo wins, they get a piece of the Region 7 crown, their fourth league title in a row.
No. 24 Uintah (3-6) at No. 7 Salem Hills (7-2): The Skyhawks should win this one to guarantee at least a piece of the Region 7 title and they also should likely stay in the top eight to host a first round playoff game.
No. 27 Wasatch (1-8) at No. 16 Mountain View (5-4): There are two obvious things here. Wasatch won’t sniff the playoffs and the Bruins can’t afford to lose this one. Even if the Bruins win they are still in a precarious position because Wasatch is just 1-8 and 45 percent of that RPI comes from the record of your opponents.
CLASS 2A
No.9 Judge Memorial (1-6) at No. 5 ALA (5-4): This is a big game for the Eagles because a victory would ensure the first winning season in school history. As far as the RPI, ALA won’t likely crack the top four even if it beats Judge and a loss could move them back a spot or two. This game will be played Thursday at 7 p.m.
1A 8-PLAYER
No. 7 UMA-Camp Williams (4-5) at No. 2 Rich (6-3): If the Marauders could pull off the upset perhaps they could shoot up to No. 5 and earn a first-round bye in the 8-man playoffs. This game will be played Friday at 7 p.m.
RPI Quirks
Yes, there are some mind boggling things about the RPI.
Seeing Timpview at No. 18 behind No. 16 Payson, who they beat 48-3, for starters. And Timpanogos with a 5-4 mark ranked No. 20 behind teams like East (2-7) and Desert Hills (3-6) is troublesome. No. 15 Provo (5-4) is clinging on to a playoff position and still the Bulldogs could win another league title.
Further, it seems like Westlake at No. 5 might have their nearby northern Utah County past rivals shaking their heads. The Thunder lost to 5A Pleasant Grove 14-0 while No. 8 American Fork handily beat the Vikings 36-16. And Mountain Ridge fans have to be perplexed at being No. 2 as the Sentinels are undefeated and beat current 6A No. 1 Skyridge head-to-head 41-26.
But nothing is quite so strange as seeing Cottonwood at No. 26 in the 4A rankings ahead of three teams. The Colts have scored nine points the entire season while giving up 489. Cottonwood is actually ranked ahead of No. 28 Juan Diego who beat them 48-3.
Extra points: Ridgeline won its 23rd straight game which tied the 1992-93 West High teams led by Don Holtry. Duchesne and Corner Canyon still hold the state record for the longest streaks at 48. … Cottonwood’s losing streak is now at 28 games while Deseret Peak has lost 19 and Kearns 17 in a row. … Utah County teams were 4-3 in games outside the valley and now stand at 45-30 for the season.
Thursday/Friday Night Heroes
Westlake RB Ashton Taylor
Taylor crossed the goal line three times as Westlake routed rival Cedar Valley 43-6.
Westlake DB/WR Sione Sua
Sua electrified the Thunder faithful with a 95-yard pick six on defense while adding a 32-yard touchdown reception as Westlake crushed Cedar Valley.
Springville RB/LB Treyton Harris
Harris rushed the ball 19 times for 212 yards with a 86-yard TD scamper. On defense, Harris registered nine tackles as Springville topped Spanish Fork 28-14.
Pleasant Grove LB Clayton Lignell
Lignell posted 11 tackles and caused a Timpview fumble as the Vikings beat the Thunderbirds 28-21.
Pleasant Grove WR Ryder Huntsman
Huntsman had four touches on offense for 129 yards and two touchdowns while also logging nine tackles with a fumble recovery for the Vikings.
Provo QB Drevin Christensen
Christensen tossed five touchdown passes as Provo routed Deer Creek 55-0.
Lone Peak LB Kingston Stroshine
Stroshine registered 16 tackles (11 solo) along with a tackle for loss and a pass defended as the Knights beat Lehi 14-7.
Salem Hills QB Cash Hollingshead
Hollingshead finished 16 of 19 for 215 yards and four touchdowns in the Skyhawks win vs. Wasatch.
Timpanogos RB/DB Zack McCann
McCann had 111 all-purpose yards (52 rushing, 27 receiving, 32 return yards) while on defense he registered 13 total tackles. He also scored the winning TD in overtime as the Timberwolves beat Park City 24-23.
Timpanogos LB/K Luke Bergin
Bergin booted a 40-yard field goal and then split the uprights on the all-important extra point in overtime in the win against Park City.
Mountain View QB Hyrum Stafford
Stafford passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns while running for 57 yards and another score as the Bruins beat Uintah 31-19.
Mountain View LB Carter Peterson
Peterson had 15 tackles and a sack as Mountain View mauled Uintah.
Salem Hills QB Cash Hollingshead
Hollingshead finished 16 of 19 for 215 yards and four touchdowns in the Skyhawks win whipped Wasatch 40-7.
Salem Hills LB LJ McBride
McBride had 14 total tackles including two for loss in the win vs. Wasatch.
Orem QB’s Tanner Lewis and Rock Speredon
The duo combined to go 17 of 23 for 211 yards and five touchdowns in a 55-28 victory against Payson.
Payson QB Justice Taylor
Taylor threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns in the loss to Orem.
