This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Though West High exudes football tradition, as its 121st season culminates with the Panthers hosting Herriman in the first round of the Class 5A tournament Friday, the ghosts of the past have not been kind in recent years.
The last of West's state record 21 state titles came in 1992. Until beating Taylorsville last Friday to earn a share of the Region 2 championship, the Panthers had not won a league football crown since 1995. This season's 5-4 mark is only the second time since 2004 the school has even boasted a winning record.
West football teams live in the shadow of the school's glorious past.
The well-cared-for trophy case in the G. Ray Hale Fieldhouse features an ancient leather football, fading pictures of past championship teams and title trophy after title trophy. Photos of members of the school's athletic hall of fame hang above the cases.
Then there is the stadium itself.
West's football field, situated in the midst of an industrial area on the edge of downtown Salt Lake City, is the only one of its kind in Utah situated in a decidedly urban setting away from homes and suburbia. Though it's changed a bit over the years, it still can be intimidating.
Named after legendary coach Gean Plaga, who won four state titles in the '70s and '80s and re-established the Panthers as one of Utah's best programs, the stadium has a closed-in feeling to it. The school rises up several stories on the east side, with light standards and a big "W" mounted on top of the building. There is no track, meaning fans are closer to the action.
There is also no doubt that West's traditional black and dark-red home uniforms lend an air of intimidation when visitors invade. It is probably no accident that in the three home games the Panthers have played at the stadium this season, they are 3-0 and outscored opponents 120-41. This is a tough place to win.
"At night, it can be intimidating and scary," said Chandler Wiley, a quarterback and captain who has helped bring success back to West football in coach Keith Lopati's second year as head man.
Azia Seei, a Panther linebacker, fullback and co-captain, knows about the school's history as a football power.
"It makes us feel proud," he said.
There is no doubt that West's football program has struggled in recent years. Due in large part to its International Baccalaureate program, the school has become known more for academics than athletics. That draw has also increased the size of the student body, making West a 5A school while Salt Lake City's other two high schools, East and Highland, play 4A.
Another factor is that, due to open enrollment, many top football players who live in the area have opted to attend other schools where football teams have been more successful.
"So many of our kids have been filtered out [from West] to other programs," Lopati told The Tribune when he was hired in the summer of 2012. "My main focus going forward is to look into why these families are taking their kids to other schools."
He said then that he would focus on academics and developing the players into a cohesive, competitive team.
That philosophy seems to have worked. Seei said a couple of his teammates decided to move from East to West. And the co-captain feels as though Lopati has his back, saying the coach helps players both in and out of school.
"If we have trouble in a class, he helps us find a tutor and gives us time to work," he said.
Wiley offered similar sentiments.
"He has the attitude that he doesn't want to give up on us," said the quarterback. "He is always there for us. We can count on him."
The players credit this year's success with West coming together as a team.
"We are more together," said Wiley. "We know each other better. We are like family. In years past, it was every man for himself. … Everybody works together."
"Last year, everybody was playing ball just to play ball," added Seei. "This year, more people are on board to win, not just to wear a uniform."
The two captains said students at West have caught on to the enthusiasm, especially after the Panthers' late-season charge to share the league championship with Hunter.
"They've got on board ever since our last couple of wins," said Seei. "We had a good crowd. It was exciting."
Wiley said winning a share of the league title on senior night was an amazing feeling.
Now, the Panthers host a very good Herriman team in Friday's 4 p.m. contest. The Mustangs come into the game from powerful Region 4 and sport a better record than West at 7-3.
No matter what happens in that game, though, West football appears to be on the upswing, living up to the glory days of the school that has the state's longest and most storied football tradition.
Twitter: @tribtomwharton —
About West football
• 2014 marks the school's 121st season of competition.
• Has won a state-record 21 championships, the most recent coming in 1992.
• Earned a share of the Region 2 title this season, its first league crown since 1995.
• Panthers' 5-4 record marked just the second time they finished above .500 since 2004.
• In three home games this season, Panthers went 3-0 and outscored opponents 120-41.
• Will host Herriman, the No. 3 seed out of Region 4 on Friday at 4.p.m.
• The game vs. Herriman will be the first-ever matchup between the two programs. —
Prep football playoff schedule
All games Friday except where noted
Class 5A
• Alta (2-8) at Fremont (7-3), 3 p.m.
• Jordan (7-3) at Davis (7-2), 3 p.m.
• Weber (4-6) at Bingham (9-1), 4 p.m.
• Herriman (7-3) at West (5-4), 4 p.m.
• Lone Peak (5-5) at Hunter (5-5), 4 p.m.
• Syracuse (7-2) at Brighton (8-1), 4 p.m.
• Taylorsville (7-3) at Riverton (8-1), 5:30 p.m.
• Hillcrest at American Fork, 8-2, Saturday 1 p.m.
Class 4A
• Orem (4-6) at Roy (9-0), 2:30 p.m.
• Murray (6-3) at Sky View (8-2), 3 p.m.
• Highland (7-3) at Salem Hills (9-1), 3:30 p.m.
• Box Elder at Corner Canyon (10-0), 4 p.m.
• East (5-5) at Timpview (10-0), 4 p.m.
• Logan (7-3) at Skyline (6-4), 4 p.m.
• Springville (5-4) at Bountiful (8-2), 5 p.m.
• Maple Mountain at Woods Cross (9-1), Saturday 1 p.m.
Class 3AA
• Park City (2-8) at Hurricane (5-5), 4 p.m.
• Snow Canyon (4-6) at Bear River (4-6), 5 p.m.
• Uintah (4-6) at Dixie (6-4), 5 p.m.
• Cedar City (4-5) at Tooele (7-3), 7 p.m.
Class 3A
• Grantsville (3-7) at Juab (9-1), 4 p.m.
• Canyon View (2-7) at Judge (9-1), 5 p.m.
• Morgan (6-3) at Manti (6-4), 5 p.m.
• North Sanpete at Union (8-2), Saturday 1 p.m.
Class 2A
• Millard (6-4) at San Juan (9-0), 2 p.m.
• Enterprise (7-3) at South Summit (8-1), 3 p.m.
• Beaver (7-3) at Summit Academy (8-1), 5 p.m.
• North Summit (8-2) at South Sevier (5-4), Saturday 1 p.m.
Class 1A
• Altamont (0-8) at Diamond Ranch (5-4), 1 p.m.
• Monument Valley (3-5) at Rich (6-3), 1 p.m.
• Milford (3-4) at Monticello (4-6), 4 p.m.
• Kanab (5-5) at Duchesne (6-3), Saturday 1 p.m.