Utah High School Football Championships Preview at Rice-Eccles Stadium

SALT LAKE CITY—The excitement is building as the Utah high school football season draws to its dramatic conclusion with the 4A, 5A, and 6A championship games slated for Thursday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Five months of intense practice and competition have brought these teams to the pinnacle of their respective divisions.

The day’s events will kick off at 11 a.m., with each championship game followed by on-field trophy presentations. Jeremiah Jensen and Stevenson Sylvester will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the day as part of KSL Sports‘ Game Night Live.

This year’s championship lineup features returning schools seeking to defend their titles. In 6A, defending champions Corner Canyon face a challenge from Lone Peak, who dealt them their only loss this season back in August. The 5A division will see Bountiful attempt to avenge a regular-season loss against Roy, a scenario mirrored in the 4A category where defending champions Crimson Cliffs compete against Spanish Fork.

Corner Canyon, a consistent powerhouse with a storied history in Utah football, is aiming for its seventh consecutive championship-game appearance. The Chargers’ dominant performances have been underscored by impressive playoff statistics, boasting an 83.8% winning percentage. Lone Peak, meanwhile, is looking to upset the balance, having scored in 227 consecutive games since 2007. The teams’ rivalry has been a feature of recent championship matchups, adding another layer of intensity to their contest.

In 5A, Bountiful and Roy’s matchup is poised to be a classic «revenge» game. With Bountiful seeking its sixth state title since 2003, the pressure is on for both teams, each carrying 12-1 records into the final. Coach Chris Solomona has led Roy to its first championship appearance since 1981, marking a pivotal moment in the school’s football history.

Crimson Cliffs, defending its 4A title, will face Spanish Fork, marking only the third championship appearance for the Mustangs in their fledgling six-year history. The Mustangs, led by standout players such as McCord Christiansen, have shown formidable playoff form, boasting a 75% winning rate. Spanish Fork, with a long football legacy, seeks its inaugural state championship despite qualifying twice before for the final stage.

Across the championships, data-driven insights show that teams scoring first hold a significant advantage, having won 72% of the 333 championship games since 1919. Such statistics will be in the minds of players and coaches as they strategize for Thursday’s matchups.