Utah 5A Playoffs: College Type Matchups to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second round of the 5A playoffs has been set and there will be plenty of good games to watch this friday. Check out what matchups to watch in the 5A class that will be good for evaluations on our prospects that are ranked and flying under the radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Grangers WRs vs. Roys DBs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lancers have a duo of pass catching prospects with La'auli Figiel and [player_tooltip player_id='1548230' first='Brighton' last='Webb'] leading the way in the passing game. Figiel has the ability to find the ball in the air and make a play and an elusive runner after the catch and Webb's ability to get separation as a deep threat and used as an offensive gadget should attract college programs. They'll have to go up against [player_tooltip player_id='1294956' first='Kahekili' last='Eleneke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='402746' first='Isaiah' last='Morris'] in the secondary, both have been ballhawks leading the team in interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Wasatch DL [player_tooltip player_id='402741' first='Crew' last='Baxter'] vs. Brighton OL [player_tooltip player_id='894746' first='Connor' last='Melchior'] </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things will get physical along the interior part of the trenches between these two ranked prospects. Baxter has been a productive with his ability to read and react, control and shed blocks to find ball carriers in the run game. Also shows pass rush ability to get to the QB. He'll look to up against Melchior, a physical prospect that has the explosion to be a productive run blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Viewmont EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1307607' first='Cooper' last='Willoughby'] vs. East OL Nick Fungavaka</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fungavaka has been a productive player along the LOS for the Leopards with his ability to drive defenders off the LOS to provide holes in the run game. The young sophomore will likely go up against Willoughby, a solid EDGE for the Vikings with initial quickness,strength at the POA to control, recognize and shed blocks. Also has the ability to get after the QB with his active hands as pass rusher. This will be a solid matchup between an experienced senior vs a prospect on the rise in our 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>West OL RJ Lapuaho vs. Orem EDGE AJ Snow</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lapuaho is a 6'7 physical prospect with ability to bend at the LOS. A physical run blocker for the Panthers with strength and leg drive. Can also pass protect using his strength and feet movement to keep pass rushers off the QB. He'll likely see Snow, an athletic prospect that plays with initial quickness, ability to shed blocks and get after the QB with his active hands. This makes for a good matchup to watch Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Alta LB [player_tooltip player_id='1555503' first='Bennett' last='Coester'] vs. Bountiful HB [player_tooltip player_id='1148539' first='Siaki' last='Fekitoa']</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coester is 6'0 athletic inside linebacker leading the team with 100 plus tackles this season. Plays with initial quickness, ability to move through traffic and UOH to fight through blocks to get to the ball carrier. His services will be needed to stop Fekitoa, our highly ranked prospect in our 2026 class. He's an elusive type runner that can lower his pads to get physical. Look to the run game to find these two go at it on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->