Friday nights in Utah just hit different. You’ve got the smell of snack bar popcorn, the chilly mountain air, and that specific roar from the bleachers that only happens when a local kid breaks for a sixty-yard touchdown. If you were tracking prep football scores Utah this past November, you know the 2025 season didn't just end; it basically exploded. We saw dynasties stumble, underdogs turn into legends, and a 4A title game that looked more like a video game than a high school matchup.
Honestly, the parity in Utah high school football right now is wild. It’s no longer just about the big Salt Lake City schools dominating everyone. From the red rocks of St. George to the Cache Valley, the talent is everywhere. Let’s get into what actually went down on the turf and why these scores matter for the 2026 recruiting trail.
The 6A Giant Falls: Lone Peak’s Revenge
Everyone expected Corner Canyon to cruise. They usually do. But the 6A final was a masterclass in "it’s hard to beat a team twice." Earlier in the season, Lone Peak stunned the Chargers 42-21. Most people thought that was a fluke, a one-off bad night for the Draper powerhouse.
They were wrong.
The scoreboard at the end of the 6A championship read Lone Peak 35, Corner Canyon 11.
It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Lone Peak’s defense, led by guys like Austin Pay, played like they were possessed. They held a high-octane Corner Canyon offense to just eleven points. Think about that. In a state where 40-point games are the norm, Lone Peak squeezed the life out of the best team in the state.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
5A Drama: Orem Reclaims the Throne
The 5A bracket was a meat grinder. You had Brighton, West, and Springville all looking like potential champs at different points. But when the dust settled at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Orem stood alone.
Orem took down Springville 42-7 in the final.
It was a blowout, sure, but the path there was anything but easy. Orem had to stuff a top-seeded West team in the semifinals just to get there. Their defensive front was basically a brick wall. Springville had been riding high after a late interception helped them sneak past Brighton in the semis, but they just ran out of gas against the Tigers.
Key 5A Playoff Moments
- The Brighton Heartbreak: A late-game interception ended Brighton's season in the semifinals.
- Orem’s Defensive Stand: Holding West's explosive athletes to minimal yardage.
- The Final Score: Orem 42, Springville 7.
The 4A Score That Broke the Scoreboard
If you like defense, stay away from the 4A scores. Ridgeline was a juggernaut all year, and they finished the job in the most dominant way possible. They met Green Canyon in an all-Cache Valley final that... well, it wasn't close.
Ridgeline 56, Green Canyon 0.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Ridgeline finished the season 14-0. They didn't just win; they vaporized people. Earlier in the bracket, they put up 73 points on East and 49 on Park City. Quarterback Nate Dahle was surgical, finishing the season with over 3,700 passing yards. If you were looking for prep football scores Utah and saw Ridgeline’s numbers, you probably thought there was a typo. There wasn't. They were just that good.
Small School Power: Kanab and San Juan
Down in 1A and 2A, the football is just as intense, maybe even more so because the whole town shows up. Kanab took home the 1A trophy by defeating Beaver 24-13. It was a classic, gritty game—the kind where you’re sore just watching it from the sidelines.
San Juan continued their reign of terror in the 2A ranks. Jagger Nieves was the name on everyone's lips, putting up absurd numbers:
- 2,088 rushing yards on the season.
- 48 total touchdowns.
- 320 total points scored.
Basically, if Nieves had the ball, the scoreboard operator was getting a workout.
Beyond the Scores: Recruiting and the 2026 Outlook
Scores tell you who won, but the stats tell you who’s going to Saturdays. We’re seeing a massive influx of talent staying home or heading to big-time Power 4 programs.
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
- Tradon Bessinger (Davis): Led the state with 4,313 passing yards. The kid is a machine.
- Jerome Myles (Corner Canyon): Even in a championship loss, he remains one of the top WR prospects in the country.
- Austin Pay (Lone Peak): A mountain of a human who anchored that championship defense.
The 2025 season proved that prep football scores Utah are becoming national news. When Corner Canyon plays a national schedule and Lone Peak beats them, scouts across the country take notice.
Misconceptions About Utah Prep Football
A lot of people think Utah is just "triple option" or "power-I" country. That’s old-school thinking. If you look at the scores from the 2025 season, you’ll see spread offenses, air raid concepts, and elite quarterback play. The "Big Three" schools aren't the only ones with athletes anymore.
Also, don't sleep on the 8-player game. Rich High School took the 1A 8-player title, showing that even with fewer guys on the field, the intensity is through the roof.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
Now that the pads are put away, what’s next for fans and players?
- Track the Transfer Portal: High school transfers are becoming a thing in Utah. Watch for big names moving to 6A contenders.
- 7-on-7 Season: If you want to see who the next Nate Dahle or Tradon Bessinger is, the spring 7-on-7 circuits in Salt Lake and Utah County are where it happens.
- Weight Room Gains: The difference between Lone Peak and the rest of 6A was physical strength. Expect the big programs to be living in the gym until August.
Keep an eye on the UHSAA schedules for 2026. With realignment always looming and teams like Ridgeline likely moving up, the landscape is going to shift again. If you missed the 2025 playoffs, you missed some of the best football the state has ever produced.