Skyridge QB Jackson Stevens leads the Falcons through adversity to state championship game

Jackson Stevens

School: Skyridge High School

Grade: Senior

Sport and position: Football, quarterback

With head coach Justin Hemm suspended for two weeks, Skyridge High School quarterback Jackson Stevens knew he needed to lead even more.

“It took everyone,” Stevens said. “It took the senior class, it took me, it took leaders on offense, leaders on defense. It really took everyone this week to make up for the loss of Coach Hemm being out.”

The Falcons got a full effort in all phases to beat the American Fork Cavemen, 34-21, on Friday at Rice-Eccles Stadium to advance to the 6A championship game this week. But it was Stevens who made his presence felt the most.

The senior transfer from Davis HS threw for 253 yards and five touchdowns in Friday’s win. He was 19 of 29 with one interception. His main targets were seniors Jack Burke and La’akea Kalama. Burke had 114 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Kalama caught three touchdown passes.

Falcons defensive coordinator Patrick Gleaves, who coached in place of Hemm, said what makes Stevens a special quarterback is his amount of preparation.

“The work that he does in the film room and at practice and being a good leader just helps him to be successful,” Gleaves said.

Stevens and the Falcons will face Corner Canyon in the state’s 6A title game. The Chargers are led by quarterback Isaac Wilson, who has thrown for more than 4,000 yards on the year.