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After five weeks, the landscape across high school football in Utah is starting to move into focus.
The Corner Canyon Chargers are officially on #StreakWatch after thumping another opponent to stay atop the high school power rankings for a fifth straight week. After beating Lehi 52-7 on Friday night, they’re just three wins away from tying Duchesne’s state record of 48 consecutive wins, and four away from passing it.
Meanwhile, five teams that were previously unranked make their first appearances in the rankings. You might be thinking to yourself, “Five teams? Why so many?” Explanation forthcoming.
To date, 10 teams throughout the state remain undefeated. Four of those teams have been previously unranked and now appear in the top 10. As is the first go-round of ranking the best teams in the state, more weight was given to defending champions, runners-up and teams that made decent playoff runs.
But now it’s becoming clear teams not fitting those descriptions are making themselves known.
Take Tooele. That team went 2-8 last year, but hasn’t lost a game this year. Similar story for Provo and West Jordan.
Ridgeline, like Springville last week, slipped past the committee of one.
As to some of the dramatic movement this week: With region games increasing, more weight will start to be placed on a team’s record in those games. Region standings might not matter from an RPI standpoint, but they will play a significant role week to week.
Without further ado, here are The Salt Lake Tribune’s prep football Top 25 power rankings for Week 5.
1. Corner Canyon (5-0)
Previous week: 1
#StreakWatch: 45.
2. Skyridge (5-0)
Previous week: 2
Someone finally put points on the Falcons, but they were still able to prevail by one touchdown over No. 11 Timpview.
3. American Fork (4-0)
Previous week: 4
The Cavemen stayed undefeated after putting 28 points on Bingham in the second half.
4. Mountain Ridge (5-0)
Previous week: 7
The Sentinels prevailed in a low-scoring affair over Westlake, lofting them into the top five.
5. Timpanogos (5-0)
Previous week: 14
The Timberwolves battled back from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat Payson 51-48 and stay unblemished halfway into the regular season. Sophomore Luke Livingston had a huge game with 251 receiving yards on 10 catches.
6. Tooele (5-0)
Previous week: Unranked
The Buffaloes have been smoking opponents all season, and have now won three straight games against teams in their region.
7. Provo (5-0)
Previous week: Unranked
The Bulldogs got their first region win over the weekend to continue a season of solid play.
8. West Jordan (4-0)
Previous week: Unranked
Any 6A team that goes undefeated through the first five weeks of the season deserves a spot in the rankings, and the Jaguars fit the bill. They had a bye on Friday.
9. Beaver (5-0)
Previous week: 9
The Beavers scored only two touchdowns, but it’s all they needed to win their fifth straight game.
10. Ridgeline (5-0)
Previous week: Unranked
The Riverhawks not only won their first region game Friday, they also have beat every one of their first five opponents by double digits.
11. Wasatch (4-1)
Previous week: 10
The Wasps won their second game in a row behind sophomore quarterback Quezon Villa, who threw four touchdown passes and 329 yards.
12. Lone Peak (2-1)
Previous week: 6
After a bye week, the Knights dropped a game to Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. Lone Peak didn’t score after the first quarter.
13. Timpview (3-2)
Previous week: 11
The Thunderbirds had their three-game winning streak snapped by the second-best team in the state.
14. Syracuse (4-1)
Previous week: 5
The Titans took their first loss of the season, falling just two points short of Weber. Three running backs scored touchdowns for Syracuse, while sophomore quarterback Jake Hopkins threw for 132 yards and a touchdown.
15. Pine View (4-1)
Previous week: 8
The Panthers were kept scoreless in the fourth quarter by Dixie, losing their first region game of the season.
16. Springville (4-1)
Previous week: 13
Addressed in the opening of this Top 25 article.
17. Olympus (4-1)
Previous week: 25
The Titans beat the No. 12 Brighton, putting them at 2-0 in their region. Olympus is now on a four-game winning streak.
18. Layton (4-1)
Previous week: Unranked
The Lancers debut in the rankings after four straight wins, most recently over No. 19 Fremont.
19. Duchesne (4-1)
Previous week: 16
The Titans beat the No. 12 Brighton, put them at 2-0 in their region. Olympus is now on a four-game winning streak.
20. Logan (4-1)
Previous week: 17
Senior running back Matthew Mason ran for two touchdowns to help the Grizzlies get back in the win column.
21. Northridge (4-1)
Previous week: 23
The Knights got their third straight win behind quarterback Maximus Fonoti-maikui and his two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. He passed for 304 yards.
22. Juan Diego (2-1)
Previous week: 18
The Soaring Eagle came off a bye week to beat the winless East Leopards. Senior quarterback Diego Valdez threw a touchdown and rushed in two more.
23. Orem (3-2)
Previous week: 3
The Tigers hosted Desert Pine out of Las Vegas and paid the price, losing their second game in a row.
24. Brighton (3-2)
Previous week: 12
Bengals sophomore quarterback Jack Johnson threw for three touchdowns and four interceptions, but the team couldn’t beat an Olympus team that was ranked No. 25 going into Week 5.
25. Fremont (3-2)
Previous week: 19
The Silverwolves lost to a very hot Layton team that plays in their region.
