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SALT LAKE CITY — For as good as Corner Canyon football has been over the last few years — and the school has been one of the best in the state — the last two seasons have ended just short of the school's goal of a championship.
After three consecutive state championships (one in the 5A classification in 2018) and the school tying the state record from 2018-21 with 48 straight wins, the Chargers have been edged out by their competition in the championship game — Skyridge won 17-7 in 2022 and Lone Peak won 49-42 in 2021.
It's a privileged life to be a part of a high school football program with so much success over the years, but for wide receiver Tate Kjar, who is in his senior year, the lofty expectations and near annual championship appearances mean little if he and his teammates aren't the ones holding up the 6A championship trophy at Rice-Eccles Stadium in November.
"Means everything to me. I'm super excited this year, and I feel like this team is a championship team," Kjar said. "I've gotten to the championship the last few years and came up short, so I'm hoping this year can be a little different."
Kjar said the 2023 season has been different — more so than the ones before it. And while there hasn't been just one distinguishing factor that has separated it from the others, he believes it's the close bond he and his teammates share that has made the difference. Kjar believes that close bond has made the team work harder in pursuit of a championship.
"It might just be because it's my senior year and so I'm kind of taking it all in more, but I don't know, I feel like this time we've all worked super hard and it's kind of helped us become closer and we all kind of want the same goal in the end," Kjar said.
Each player has done their part and can be highlighted for their individual and collective successes — and there's a lot to highlight, like Baylor commit Bo Tate at linebacker, or Utah commits Isaiah Garcia on the offensive line or Kash Dillon wreaking havoc on opposing offenses off the edge or catching passes on the other side of the ball as a tight end.
There's also quarterback Isaac Wilson, another Utah commit, throwing Kjar passes "right where I can catch it." But it's a requirement to also add Kjar's name to that list after breaking out as one of the best wide receivers in the state this season.
Though a little more under the radar on the recruiting front as some of the other players previously mentioned, Kjar made the most of his senior year and finished the regular season with 1,290 receiving yards — third highest in the country — and 14 touchdowns on 86 receptions (16.9 yards per catch).
Kjar made highlight play after highlight play to help Corner Canyon to a 9-1 regular season record and the No. 2 seed in the 6A championship bracket, and it also earned him a scholarship to Utah State, where he recently announced his commitment.
"It makes me excited to play football at the next level, because, like I just said before, I love the sport," Kjar said.
While his future appears set, the focus remains on his senior season and getting back to the championship game. And this time, he hopes to be raising the trophy with his teammates when it's all said and done.
