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SALT LAKE CITY — With region play in full swing, all games matter for high school programs around the state.
The best teams in the state are starting to pull away from the rest as we near the final stretch of the regular season, and there's some fairly consistent names on that list (many of which have been included in the rankings all season).
But in a surprise this week, one of the most dominant teams in the state has dropped to No. 3 — for no fault of their own. A couple weeks ago, Skyridge occupied the No. 1 spot in our rankings, but there's been a change based on the play of Corner Canyon and American Fork.
The Cavemen actually pulled ahead of Skyridge by 1 point in the vote of the KSL.com Sports staff for this week. Is that crazy? Probably. Can it serve as motivation? Almost certainly. Regardless, don't sleep on any of these top teams who continue to jockey for position at the top.
Let's get to the full rankings ...
1. Corner Canyon (5-1, 1-0 6A Region 2)
There's not much stopping Utah commit Isaac Wilson and this Corner Canyon team. In what was supposed to be the toughest game of region play for the Chargers, Wilson and company dominated in a 56-14 win. Wilson threw for 428 yards and continues to impress as one of the best QBs in the country.
2. American Fork (6-0, 1-0 6A Region 3)
The Cavemen are a load to handle and have beaten up everyone in their way with relative ease; the reigning 5A champions Lehi were no different. American Fork overwhelmed Lehi to the tune of a 62-28 final score, hence the No. 2 ranking.
3. Skyridge (6-0, 1-0 6A Region 3)
Skyridge remains one of the best schools in the state, even if they now rank No. 3. Quarterback Jackson Stevens threw seven — yes, seven — touchdown passes on just 19 completions in a 48-10 win over Westlake.
4. Pleasant Grove (6-0, 1-0 6A Region 3)
Pleasant Grove trailed 17-14 at halftime against region foe Lone Peak, but then held the Knights to 2 points in the second half and pulled away for a 24-19 win. The Vikings needed a pick-six touchdown by Ryker Mikkelsen in the fourth quarter to get it done, though.
Prime Time Performer: Senior QB @Isaac_kawika threw for 428 Yards & 5 TD's, and ran for 65 Yards & 1 TD in 56-14 win over Mtn. Ridge. @HSFBamerica@usatodayhss@SCNext@mjfrecruits@kslsports@SlingintheP@TribPrepsEd@KjarEric@bcavi68@coach_simi@Utah_Football@KyleMorgan_XOSpic.twitter.com/0LpZjAVvwh
— CornerCanyonFootball (@CCHSFOOTBALL_) September 17, 2023
5. Timpview (4-2, 2-0 5A Region 7)
Timpview quarterback Helaman Casuga threw four touchdowns and rushed for another in a 41-21 win over crosstown rival Orem. The Thunderbirds scored 34 points in the two middle quarters to take firm control of the game.
6. Lehi (5-1, 0-1 6A Region 3)
In its move to 6A, Lehi found out how difficult the level of competition can be in the upper classification. Lehi remains one of the best teams in the state, but it may take a bit to compete with the top teams in the school's new classification.
7. Syracuse (5-1, 1-0 6A Region 1)
Syracuse wasted little time against a Farmington squad that remains winless on the season. The Titans held the Phoenix scoreless in the first half, all while reeling in 35 points of their own to take full control of the game.
8. Brighton (5-1, 3-0 5A Region 6)
Quarterback Jack Johnson tossed five touchdown passes, and Brighton easily moved past Skyline 42-0.
9. Mountain Ridge (4-1, 0-1 6A Region 2)
Mountain Ridge became the latest victim of a Corner Canyon team that leads the state. Consider the 14 points scored against the Chargers as a win and look ahead to Copper Hills.
10. Box Elder (6-0, 3-0 5A Region 5)
Clearfield put up a quick 10 points on Box Elder in the first quarter, but Box Elder had no trouble overcoming the early deficit en route to a 54-17 win. Region 5 runs through the Bees.
11. Crimson Cliffs (5-1, 3-0 4A Region 9)
The other CC school in the state, and equally dominant in its own classification. There's no question the Mustangs run Southern Utah football ... and quite possibly more.
12. Davis (5-1, 1-0 6A Region 1)
The Darts have been a welcomed surprise this season. Kash Gates caught four touchdown passes from quarterback Tradon Bessinger, and Davis pulled away for a 45-26 win over Weber.
13. Sky View (6-0, 2-0 4A Region 11)
Sky View can breathe easy after escaping with a narrow 35-34 win over Bear River. The Bears scored three touchdowns in the final quarter, but failed to convert on a 2-point conversion attempt with 11 seconds left to play.
14. West (2-3, 2-0 5A Region 6)
With a loaded schedule, West has struggled to win games this season. But the Panthers remain one of the better teams in the state and have an undefeated record in region play.
15. Lone Peak (2-4, 0-1 6A Region 3)
Lone Peak was a pick six away from giving Pleasant Grove its first loss of the season. In a difficult Region 3, sometimes one play can make or break a game; the Knights have just been on the losing end more times than they wish.
16. Park City (6-0, 3-0 4A Region 10)
In a vital game for Region 10 supremacy, Park City forced six turnovers — three of which came in the final 10 minutes of the game — to top Stansbury 21-17 to remain undefeated.
17. Bingham (2-4, 1-0 6A Region 2)
Trailing by 4 points going into the fourth quarter, Bingham scored two touchdowns in the final frame against Copper Hills to claim the Miners' first win of region play.
18. Alta (4-2, 1-2 5A Region 6)
The Hawks used a 20-point first half, and then a 14-point fourth quarter, to beat Highland 34-14 to improve to 4-2 on the season.
19. Herriman (4-2, 1-0 6A Region 2)
Herriman used consistent scoring to beat Riverton 52-35 to improve to 4-2 on the season. More importantly, though, the Mustangs opened up region play with a 1-0 record.
20. Springville (4-2, 1-1 5A Region 7)
Springville has been hot and cold this season, but there was no denying the Red Devils in a 49-0 shutout win over Cedar Valley Friday.
Plus-1: Richfield (6-0, 1-0 3A South)
Not only is Richfield undefeated this season, but it snapped a 14-game losing streak to Juab Friday — a losing skid that is more than 20 years old.
Juab scored first on a 1-yard run by Porter Jackson to give the Wasps all the momentum. But Richfield reeled off 17 unanswered points, including a 78-yard touchdown pass from Reggie Hafen to Kai Thomas to put some distance on Juab.
For good measure, Richfield added another score — a 14-yard touchdown pass from Hafen to Gage Yardley — in the fourth quarter to stave off a late Juab push. In the end, a double-digit losing skid ended, and Richfield maintained its perfect season.
