This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you were watching Utah high school football this season, it was hard to look away.
At any given moment, something amazing could happen. The MVPs and all-state honorees for this season danced their way out of tackles, made game-winning catches, sacked quarterbacks and dazzled with breathtaking returns.
Fans could spot them on the field — the players who stood out from the crowd, not just with their spectacular plays, but from the way they carried themselves. Whenever they broke from the huddle, people waited for them to come through in the clutch moments that defined their seasons.
These players seemed to rise above the fray, to accomplish feats that didn't just awe and astound, but wrote history that will be remembered both on paper and in stories and recollections between friends and family that will live on well after their days on the gridiron are over.
These young men stood head and shoulders above the rest: Chase Hansen, quarterback, Sr., Lone Peak (5A); D.J. Nelson, quarterback, Sr., Logan (4A); Brian Scott, running back, Sr., Hurricane (3A); Landon Carter, linebacker, Sr., Manti (2A); and Braiden Despain, running back, Sr., Duchesne (1A).
Class 5A
MVP •Chase Hansen, quarterback, Sr., Lone Peak
Quarterback • Karson Casteel, Sr., Northridge
Quarterback • Austin Kafentzis, Fr., Jordan
Running back • Nick Vigil, Sr., Fremont
Running back • Bryan Engstrom, Sr., Alta
Wide receiver • Inoke Lotulelei, Jr., Cottonwood
Wide receiver • Zac Saunders, Sr., Lone Peak
Offensive line • Dallas Clark, Sr., Northridge
Offensive line • Brandon Fanaika, Sr., Pleasant Grove
Offensive line • Poasi Taukeiaho, Sr., Bingham
Offensive line • Corey Cook, Sr., Syracuse
Offensive line • B.J. Cavendar, Jr., Jordan
Defensive line • Hunter Dimick, Sr., Syracuse
Defensive line • Troy Hinds, Sr., Davis
Defensive line • Luke Hollingsworth, Sr., Fremont
Defensive line • Jake Gallegos, Sr., Fremont
Linebacker • Jared Afalava, Sr., Bingham
Linebacker • Kurtis Taufa, Sr., Lone Peak
Linebacker • Austin Tate, SR., Northridge
Defensive back • Austin Lee, Sr., Alta
Defensive back • Micah Hanneman, Sr., Lone Peak
Defensive back • Rowdy Stucki, Sr., Fremont
Defensive back • Jordan Preator, Jr., Fremont
Kicker • Trevor Robb, Jr., Lone Peak
All-purpose • Connor Humphrey, Sr., Lone Peak
Class 5A second team
Quarterback • Cooper Bateman, Jr., Cottonwood
Quarterback • Trevor Davis, Sr., Syracuse
Running back • Eric Takenaka, Sr., West
Running back • Daniel Palepoi, Sr., Bingham
Running back • Gabe Hosea, Jr. Cottonwood
Wide receiver • Taylor Loomis, Sr., Jordan
Wide receiver • Martavious Redmond, Sr., West Jordan
Offensive line • Gus Lavaka, Sr., Kearns
Offensive line • Tucker Hurd, Jr., Fremont
Offensive line • Zack Larsen, Jr., Jordan
Offensive line • Scooter Arnold, Sr., Northridge
Offensive line • Kurtis Nokes, Sr., Riverton
Defensive line • Colin Bearnson, X, Lone Peak
Defensive line • Will Nasilai, Sr., Bingham
Defensive line • Moses Foaluolo, Sr., Hunter
Defensive line • Ryan Jensen, Sr., Alta
Linebacker • Albert Tai, Jr., Riverton
Linebacker • Rossiter Potter, Sr., Davis
Linebacker • Hayden Babka, Sr., Jordan
Defensive back • Brody Berry, Sr., Lone Peak
Defensive back • Uaea Masina, Jr., Brighton
Defensive back • J.T. Anderson, Sr., Layton
Defensive back • Andrew Shirmer, Sr., Lone Peak
Kicker • Brock Anderson, Jr., Syracuse
Class 4A
MVP • D.J. Nelson, quarterback, Sr., Logan
Quarterback • Jason Cook, Sr., East
Quarterback • Scott Porter, Sr., Olympus
Running back • Liti Molisi, Sr., East
Running back • Francis Bernard, Jr., Herriman
Wide receiver • Rickey Shumway, Sr., Timpview
Wide receiver • Cole Payne, Jr., Orem
Offensive line • Vaha Vainuku, Sr., East
Offensive line • Dalton Cole, Sr., Logan
Offensive line • Nate Watchman, Sr., Olympus
Offensive line • Kahai Faalafua, Sr., Timpanogos
Offensive line • Gordon Moi Moi, Sr., Timpview
Defensive line • Moana Ofahengaue, Sr., Westlake
Defensive line • Caden Anderson, Jr., Logan
Defensive line • Quincy Clark, Sr., Highland
Defensive line • Sione Lea'atoa, Jr., East
Linebacker • Chasen Andersen, Jr., Logan
Linebacker • Josh Burr, Sr., Timpview*
Linebacker • Adam Webber, Soph., Highland
Defensive back • Johnny Luke, Sr., Logan
Defensive back • Sione Makoni, Sr., East
Defensive back • Sean Barton, Jr., Woods Cross
Defensive back • Famafili Laulu Pututau, Jr., Mountain Crest
Kicker • Jake Thompson, Jr., Logan
All-purpose • Luke Larsen, Sr., Bountiful
Class 4A second team
Quarterback • Steve Bate, Sr., Springville
Quarterback • Skyler Farnes, Jr., Woods Cross
Running back • Jakob Hunt, Jr., Bountiful
Running back • Maurice Mapps Jr., Sr., Skyline
Wide receiver • John Fakahafua, Jr., East
Wide receiver • Jaylon Miyasaki, Sr., Springville
Offensive line • Tevika Hafoka, Sr., East
Offensive line • Conrad Beach, Sr., Springville
Offensive line • Zach Russon, Sr., Skyline
Offensive line • Joseph Hartshorn, Sr., Mountain View
Offensive line • Junior Hamilton, Jr., Bountiful
Defensive line • Ethan Dursteller, Jr., Sky View
Defensive line • Felipe Fifita Sitake, Sr., Mountain View
Defensive line • John Topou, Sr., Springville
Defensive line • Ethan Petersen, Sr., Mountain Crest
Linebacker • Rylee Gautavai, Jr., Bountiful
Linebacker • C.J. Hildebrand, Jr., Maple Mountain
Linebacker • Brandon Shingleton, Sr., Skyline
Defensive back • Britton Gunter, Sr., Box Elder
Defensive back • Jack Fabrizio, Sr., Bountiful
Defensive back • Justin Weaver, Sr., Highland
Defensive back • Tyler Solorzano, Sr., Timpview
Kicker • Hayes Hicken, Sr., Highland
All-purpose • John Schmidt, Sr., Logan
Class 3A
MVP • Brian Scott, running back, Sr., Hurricane
Quarterback • John Ursua, Sr., Cedar
Quarterback • Hayden Nielsen, Sr., Spanish Fork
Running back • Christian Taele, Sr., Spanish Fork
Running back • Mike Needham, Sr., Desert Hills
Wide receiver • Jono Schettler, Sr., Park City
Wide receiver • Luigy Paulino, Sr., Spanish Fork
Offensive line • Alex Sefita, Sr., Hurricane
Offensive line • Sosiua Vaitohi, Sr., Spanish Fork
Offensive line • Kahi Eldredge, Sr., Cedar
Offensive line • Logan Stott, Jr., Pine View
Offensive line • McKay Ericsson, Sr., Desert Hills
Defensive line • Kevin Mortensen, Sr., Hurricane
Defensive line • Michael Beck, Sr., Cedar
Defensive line • Cole Wright, Sr., Juab
Defensive line • Jared McCauley, Sr., Juan Diego
Linebacker • Peter Brown, Sr., Desert Hills
Linebacker • Skyler Cloward, Jr., Grantsville
Linebacker • Jared Edwards, Jr., Hurricane
Defensive back • Taylor Parker, Sr., Hurricane
Defensive back • Bud Pope, Sr., Desert Hills
Defensive back • Colin Christensen, Sr., Delta
Defensive back • Taylor Day, Sr., Bear River
Kicker • Ethan Stratton, So., Hurricane
All-purpose • Weston Yardley, Jr., Hurricane
Class 3A second team
Quarterback • Blake Barney, Jr., Dixie
Quarterback • Chase Christiansen, Soph., Stansbury
Running back • Christian Hatch, Sr., Delta
Running back • Prentiss Miller, Jr., Pine View
Wide receiver • Dalen Erickson, Sr., Grantsville
Wide receiver • Ty Rutledge, Jr., Desert Hills
Offensive line • Gerry Banda, Sr., Delta
Offensive line • Ben Gottfredson, Sr., Snow Canyon
Offensive line • Clayton Welch, Sr., Bear River
Offensive line • Ryan McCauley, Sr., Juan Diego
Offensive line • Rhett Bird, Sr., North Sanpete
Defensive line • Jeremy Cafe, Sr., Stansbury
Defensive line • Dakota Letham, Sr., Grantsville
Defensive line • Nate Brinker, Sr., Desert Hills
Defensive line • Boston Saunders, Sr., Morgan
Linebacker • Colin Argyle, Sr., Spanish Fork
Linebacker • Dakota Cox, Jr., Juan Diego
Linebacker • Kaden Hughes, Sr., Delta
Defensive back • Jace Johnson, Sr., Delta
Defensive back • Max Cook, Jr., Grantsville
Defensive back • Talem Franco, Jr., Wasatch
Defensive back • Christian Weidle, Sr., Judge Memorial
Kicker • Austin Barker, Sr., Dixie
All-purpose • Jake Arslanian, Sr., Pine View
Class 2A
MVP • Landon Carter, linebacker, Sr., Manti
OL/DL • Aaron Austad, Sr., Manti
OL/DL • Chris Lauti, Sr., Manti
RB/DB • Pancho Alcala, Sr., Millard
RB/DB • Jesse Rhodes, Jr., Millard
OL/DL • Lucas Rydalch, Sr., South Summit
OL/DL • Bonner Mitchell, Sr., South Summit
OL/DL • Landon Palmer, Sr., San Juan
QB/DB • Barkley Christensen, Jr., San Juan
RB/LB • Cory Cox, Jr., Emery
RB/DB • Jeremy Brown, Sr., Beaver
OL/DL • Justus Clark, Sr., Richfield
RB/DB • Nathan Rees, Sr., North Summit
QB/DB • Brady Aste, Sr., Manti
OL/LB • Trey Ashton, Sr., Millard
OL/DL • Bogh Bayles, Jr., San Juan
TE/LB • Kendall White, Jr., Beaver
OL/DL • Marquez Jessup, Sr., Beaver
RB/LB • Ryan West, Sr., Enterprise,
WR/DB • Sage Palmer, Sr., Enterprise
QB/LB • Josh Henry, Jr., Richfield
RB/DB • Hayden Packard, Jr., South Summit
OL/DL • Kalen Reynolds, Sr., Emery
RB/LB • Jeremy Aleman, Jr., Millard
RB/LB • Braden Harris, Jr., Gunnison
Class 2A second team
RB/LB • Austin Jackson, Jr., Manti
OL/DL • Keith Kesler, Sr., Millard,
RB/LB • Logan Meyer, Jr., San Juan
RB/DB • Braden Hampton, Sr., Richfield
OL/DL • Dylan Hill, Sr., Kanab
RB/DB • Braden Brown, Sr., North Summit
DL/LB • Kevin Ballard, Sr., Grand
RB/DB • Patrick Baker, Jr., South Sevier
OL/DL • Blake Schiess, Sr., Manti
OL/LB • Garrett Crystal, Jr., South Summit
WR/DB • Jaxon Vernon, Sr., North Summit
RB/LB • Jesse Winn, Sr., Emery
OL/DL • Oaks Morley, Jr., ALA
RB/LB • Cory Johnson, Sr., North Sevier
WR/DB • Bobby Bowring, Jr., San Juan
WR/DB • Lyndon Bradshaw, Jr., Beaver
RB/LB • Jade Hulet, Sr., Enterprise
OL/DL • Treg Shumway, Sr., Richfield
RB/LB • Josh Urianza, Sr., Kanab
OL/DL • Caylor Mathews, Sr., Parowan
RB/LB • Zane Stevens, Jr., Manti
OL/DL • DonE Fullmer, Jr., Millard
QB • Ty Yardley, Sr., Beaver
OL/LB • Joey Leavitt, Sr., South Sevier
Class 1A
MVP • Braiden Despain, running back, Sr., Duchesne
OL/LB • Kane Nealley, Sr., Duchesne
OL/DL • Max Lewis, Sr., Duchesne
RB/DB • Macoy Young, Sr., Duchesne
WR/DB • Brandon Faison, Sr., Layton Christian
RB/LB • Colin Greenhill, Jr., Layton Christian
RB/LB • Kyle Foy, Jr., Altamont
OL/DL • Adam Black, Sr., Monticello
QB/DB • Kyle Atchison, Sr., Diamond Ranch
QB/LB • Shiaba Allen, Sr., Duchesne
All-purpose • Mauricio Hernandez, Sr., Milford
WR/DB • Duce Namazi, Jr., Layton Christian
TE/LB • Jonah Cafferty, Sr., Monticello
S • Terek Esplin, Sr., Monticello
RB/LB • Kaden Moon, Jr., Duchesne
QB/S • Kyle Yockey, Jr., Layton Christian
OL/DL • Devin Davis, Sr., Duchesne
Class 1A second team
WR/DB • Nick Edwards, Jr., Layton Christian
TE/DE • Josh Hawes, Soph., Layton Christian
OL/LB • David Farley, Sr., Layton Christian
OL/DL • Jake Warden, Jr., Layton Christian
WR/DB • Cameron Long, Sr., Layton Christian
WR/DB • Rome Aguilar, Jr., Layton Christian
RB/LB • Kaden Thompson, Jr., Rich
OL/DB • Dallin Leifson, Sr., Rich
OL/LB • Cassidy Smith, Jr., Altamont
DE • Jake Miller, Sr., Monticello
WR/DB • Jake Duncan, Jr., Monticello
LB • PJ Leiatau, Jr., Monticello
OL/DL • Daniel Hardy, Sr., Milford
OL/DL • Teon Timmell, Jr., Diamond Ranch
RB/LB • Austin Wilcox, Soph., Monticello
WR/DE • Treaven Spencer, Sr., Duchesne
DB • Mike Dye, Sr., Duchesne
RB/DB • Josh Hanberg, Jr., Duchesne
OL/DL • Wade Shepard, Jr., Duchesne
QB • Jordan Benson, Sr., Altamont
WR/DE • Quincy Mason, Sr., LCA
RB/LB • Eliyah Mayberry, Jr., LCA
RB/LB • Brady Meek, Sr., Rich
TE/DE • Bracken Pinter, Sr., Rich
TE/DE • McKade Nielsen, Jr., Duchesne
QB/LB • Austin Groll, Sr., Rich All-State softball MVPs and teams (pdf) ยป http://bit.ly/sOIinM