Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The top five teams in the state continue to jockey for position, including Lone Peak and Corner Canyon entertaining the slightest of margins at the very top a week after Skyridge handed crosstown rival Lehi its first loss of the season.
But keep an eye on the rise of 5A power Roy.
The Royals improved to 7-0 and 4-0 in Region 5 play after a 33-14 win over Woods Cross that didn't feel as comfortable until Zay Morris returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
That inched Roy up to No. 6 in our statewide media poll. But perhaps more importantly, the Royals locked down the No. 1 seed in the RPI ratings with a 0.741 score by a significant margin over Brighton (0.672) and Bountiful (0.662).
Here's a look at how things are shaping up after Week 7.
1. Lone Peak (6-1, 2-0 6A Region 3)
The Knights haven't lost to an in-state opponent and hold the most impressive win in the state so far as the only ones to beat Corner Canyon. Lone Peak is also 2-0 in Region 3 play after Kepa Niumeitolu paced a 35-0 run in the second quarter of a 49-28 victory over rival American Fork.
2. Corner Canyon (6-1, 2-0 6A Region 2)
The Chargers are the top-rated tam in the 6A RPI, and maintained it after a 49-21 win over Riverton behind backup quarterback Bronson Evans and backup running back Weston Briggs.
3. Skyridge (5-2, 2-0 6A Region 3)
Zaeden Selu ran for 142 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons used a 13-0 run deep into the second half to hold off crosstown rival Lehi 20-16 and hand the Pioneers their first loss.
4. Timpview (3-2, 2-0 5A Region 7)
The Thunderbirds built a 40-0 lead at halftime and had little trouble in dropping Cedar Valley 40-10.
5. Lehi (5-1, 1-1 6A Region 3)
The Pioneers host Westlake on Friday before ending the season with top-ranked Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove in SEC We-- ... er, Region 3 play.
6. Roy (7-0, 4-0 5A Region 5)
The only team in the state's top two classifications that hasn't taken a loss, the Royals face a stiff test in traveling to Viewmont this week.
7. Ridgeline (7-0, 3-0 4A Region 11)
Speaking of unbeatens, Nate Dahle threw four touchdown passes, and Kaden Wiser and JT White each scored two on the ground as the Riverhawks set school records for the largest margin of victory and most points in a game with a 68-0 shutout of Logan.
8. Orem (6-1, 2-0 5A Region 7)
Tayden Ka'awa connected with Kaue Akana three times, and the Tigers used a 21-0 run in the third quarter to hold off Maple Mountain 39-28 and hand the Golden Eagles their first loss of the season.
9. Morgan (7-0, 2-0 3A North)
Another week, another win — and a school record for the Trojans, who blanked winless Ben Lomond 72-0 in the largest win in school history.
10. Bountiful (6-1, 3-1 5A Region 5)
The Redhawks are quietly on a three-game winning streak after Friday night's 41-0 shutout win over Clearfield.
11. Maple Mountain (6-1, 2-1 5A Region 7)
How will the Golden Eagles respond to their first loss of the season when they host rival Springville before a trip to Timpview in the regular-season finale?
12. Brighton (6-1, 3-1 5A Region 6)
Mason Haertel scored three touchdowns on the ground, and the Bengals rallied from a 17-3 deficit to upend East 31-17.
13, Spanish Fork (6-1, 3-0 4A Region 8)
The Dons stepped away from region play to hand expansion school West Field a 49-20 loss before Friday's key region matchup at Provo.
14. Fremont (5-2, 2-0 Region 1)
Manase Tuatagaloa scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 4:47 left in the fourth quarter, and the Silverwolves held Davis to a single offensive touchdown in a 19-10 home upset to stay unbeaten in region play.
15. Weber (5-2, 1-1 6A Region 1)
The Warriors dismantled Syracuse 45-27 as Crew Cacciacarne threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns.
16. Davis (5-2, 1-1 6A Region 1)
The Darts will look to respond with two of their final three games at home, beginning Friday against Layton.
17. Park City (6-1, 3-1 4A Region 10)
Ethan Cunningham ran for three of the Miners' six touchdowns on the ground in a dominant 63-0 win over winless Cottonwood.
18. Springville (5-2, 2-1 5A Region 7)
The Red Devils are back in the top 20 after pulling apart Wasatch 20-6 and holding the Wasps scoreless until the middle of the fourth quarter.
19. Viewmont (5-2, 2-2 5A Region 5)
Titan Longson threw five touchdown passes as the Vikings picked apart Box Elder 49-21.
20. Sky View (5-2, 3-0 4A Region 11)
The Bobcats used a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter, including Andrew Oxborrow's 31-yard touchdown catch from Jack Clark to rally by Bear River 20-14 for their fourth straight win.
North Summit wins in 5 OT 16-14!!! pic.twitter.com/YMdPuDLBa3
— Rural Utah Sports (@RuralUtahSports) September 28, 2024
Plus-1. North Summit (7-0, 1-0 1A North)
It was anything but easy for the Braves, who survived Beaver in a five overtime thriller 16-14 to move to 7-0 and maintain their hold as the team to beat in 1A.
After Bodie Wheatley gave the Beavers a 12-6 lead on a 13-yard run with 4:06 left in regulation, Jake Smith tied the game with a 54-yard TD dash with 1:46 remaining to force overtime.
Wheatley and North Summit's McKade Nelson each added a touchdown in the third extra period before Smith gave the Braves the win with a 2-yard plunge in the fifth overtime to secure a 7-0 start.
