6A: Playoff Sleepers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6A Classification is filled with playoff powerhouses, but these teams are flying under the radar and could make some noise in the coming weeks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lone Peak Knights (5-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three of the five best teams in the state are the Corner Canyon Chargers, Skyridge Falcons, and Timpview Thunderbirds. Those represent three of the Knights' four losses. Lone Peak also should have beaten the Falcons but surrendered the late lead. Factor in a narrow loss to American Fork, and two of the team's four losses have come by a combined four points. Nevertheless, the defending 6A state champs have the potential to repeat with explosive weapons on offense like receivers [player_tooltip player_id='406889' first='Cole' last='Christensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='406886' first='Crew' last='McChesney']. If Knights quarterback Kaden Hodson can return healthy, look out for Lone Peak. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverton Silverwolves (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silverwolves nearly stole the Region 1 crown away from Bingham but came up just short. Riverton has impressive wins over Syracuse, Mountain Ridge, and Springville. They have proven they can beat some of the best teams in the state and are backed by a defense capable of making timely plays. Defensive lineman Chazz Hinkley can apply pressure while defensive back Jackson Riddle holds down the back end. Offensively quarterback Jake Myers and running back Easton Hicks can create big plays at any moment. The Silverwolves will be upset hunting in the playoffs and will have a great chance to get a few. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain Ridge Sentinels (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sentinels were one of the last unbeaten teams in 6A to begin the year. They nearly beat Bingham and did hand West Jordan a loss. Mountain Ridge is loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Offensively Semisi Kinikini has rushed for 1,000 yards and is one of three Sentinels backs with over 300 yards on the ground. Defensively Taylor and Chase Hingham have 17 combined sacks on the season. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='406858' first='Cade' last='Uluave'] is also one of the state's best players and will pose problems for every offense he encounters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove Vikings (5-5)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All five of the Viking's losses have come against teams who have been in our top five teams in 6A at one point or another this season. Despite their schedule gauntlet, they have outscored opponents 227-198 on the season. Pleasant Grove also has wins over Riverton and Orem. Offensively quarterback Nic Staffieri has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. His connection with receivers Kale McCoy and Cannon Hale makes the Viking's offense extremely productive. Defensively Pleasant Grove has held six teams under 21 points on the year. The Vikings should make some noise in the playoffs and could confuse what's been a phenomenal bounce-back season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->