“Life is made of smallest fragments/ Shade and sunshine, work and play/ So may we, with greatest profit/ Learn a little every day.” -Unknown credit THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

It was 7:01 P.M. Thursday night when the football weekend kicked in Lehi and nearly 1:40 A.M. Sunday morning here in the mountains when Fresno St completed their road win over the Rainbow Warriors in Hawaii officially completing College Football Week 4. What an incredible weekend it has been and I’m not only talking about the round and oblong versions of football.

It wasn’t the best weather weekend, but any environment is a perfect environment to explore the mountains. Uncovering caves hidden within boulder clusters and an underground tunnel covered with years and years of overgrown brush, followed by a hike down a mountain in the dark were the highlights for me. There is a place for football, and certainly lessons to learn from it, but there is also a place for exploring the mysteries of the mountains and writing the tales.

There was, however, football being played at all levels all over the country this weekend and since we love football, we need to spend some time reviewing the action.

We’ll get to everything but it’s worth noting it here first, Lone Peak was absolutely spectacular Friday night! The bleachers were at capacity and full of educated football fans and proud parents. The band was precise and pristine, and the football showcased an impressive team with some outstanding football players. Oh, and they dismantled the #1 team Corner Canyon 42-21. Yeah, it was quite a night.

There is much more to cover, but the night visiting Lone Peak was worth a quick word as the environment was pleasant and the football superb.

With that–it’s time for this Week’s “General Update.” General Update.

What to Expect:

• Friday Night Lights
• The Round Game
• The Saturday Game
• Top 12 Rankings in CFB
• The Grown Man’s Sunday Game

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Friday Night Lights began on Thursday with Lehi travelling to Skyridge to open play in Region 3 of UHSAA 6A. An epic 42-38 final score. It was followed by a handful of top teams in 6A also seeking their first regional win. All played under the lights with overcast but immaculate weather. 75 and cooling at kickoff Thursday and more of the same Friday.

Matinee (Bonus coverage)

A tiny tyke game took place in humid West TN. It featured a rosy-cheeked youngster playing QB running an option play to the right. The QB ran past the linebacker who tripped on his shoelace and was in clear with nothing but green grass in front of him. Just for good measure, he pitched it to the running back who was off to his right. A perfect pitch was secured and number 84 in Orange ran it all the way to the house. A toddlers dream.

Friday Night Football–it happens at all levels.

We’ll call that the matinee before the Marquee version of Friday Night Lights.

We’ve got a packed section here. Let’s dive…

FEATURED GAME:

• #1 Corner Canyon 21 @ #2 Lone Peak 42

As mentioned, Lone Peak impressed in many ways. The entire operation felt professional and it’s obvious that Coach Bart Brockbank and his staff hold and maintain a high standard.

Corner Canyon battled but were bested by the better side to fall for the first time this season.

Lone Peak are solid at many positions, but especially at receiver. The Pula Twins were both the standout players on the field. Jaron scored three TD’s and Keenan scored one and added an interception. Both strong and supremely talented with infinite upside!

Junior QB Cruz Christensen started the game for Lone Peak and threw four TD’s and added one rushing. Cruz battled through some early adversity and delivered some excellent balls in some crucial times of the game. He filled in for top 5 QB Kepa Niumeitolu who was out injured.

Junior Sean Tahi added a TD. Tate Barney played as an all-round spark plug and was impactful when on the field.

Overall, the Lone Peak defense provided ample pressure and forced mistakes. The team performed like a disciplined group of young professionals and will challenge anyone in the state.

Corner Canyon were uncharacteristically shutout in the second half.

Of note, one of my favorite players this season, Manase Brown continues to impress me with his energy. He’s tenacious off the edge with a relentless motor and looks natural at tight end.

Casuga showed flashes of brilliance in the loss and Weston Briggs ripped off some nice runs. Kai Meza and Isaiah Morris caught some nice balls and overall, the team gave a great effort.

NOTABLE SCORES provided by Deseret News:

• Davis 29 @ American Fork 15
  • QB Tradon Bessinger tossed four touchdowns (29 for the year)
  • Juniors Bode Sparrow caught 2 TD and Jaxton Itaaheau 1 TD
• Lehi 38 @ 42 Skyridge (Thurs)
  • Full Recap posted 9/19
  • This was an inspiring game to witness.
  • Lehi RB Devaughn Eka Rushed for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns in the loss
  • Skyridge QB Kaneal Sweetwyne Threw for 379 yards and recorded 3 total touchdowns (1 Rushing)
  • #95 Briggs Love
    • Lehi D-lineman INT and Rushing TD
  • Skyridge Safety Briggs Parker game changing pick six
• Westlake 16 @ Herriman 47
• Layton 7 @ Syracuse 52
• Fremont 35 @ Northridge 13
  • Farmington is at Fremont Thurs 9/25

TOP RECORDS across UHSAA 6A:

• Herriman (6-0) Region 2: (3-0)
• Syracuse (5-1) Region 1: (1-0)
• Davis (5-1) Region 2: (0-0)
• Lone Peak (5-1) Region 3: (1-0)
• Skyridge (5-1) Region 3: (1-0)
• American Fork (5-1) Region 3: (0-0)
• Corner Canyon (5-1) Region 3: (0-1)

Upcoming Top Level Games 9/26:

• (5-1) Skyridge @ (5-1) Corner Canyon
• (5-1) Syracuse @ Davis (5-1)
• (5-1) Lone Peak @ American Fork (5-1)
• (6-0) Herriman @ (3-2) Lehi

All four are games worth getting to see.

UHSSA 6A Region 3 Standings:

1. Lone Peak (5-1)
2. Skyridge (5-1)
3. American fork (5-1)
4. Corner Canyon (5-1)
5. Lehi (3-2)

This was my favorite weekend so far for Friday Night Lights. Fans and student sections showing up in support of their team, young men digging in and showing grit through adversity, and elite athletes showcasing their skills along with the season narrative beginning to take shape. Friday Night Lights. “I’m just happy to be alive.” -Chris Mannix

I’m excited to see where the young men take this season. It’s in their hands.

NATIONAL FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Nugget

• Cherry Creek High Bruins (CO)

The Bruins are 3-0 after piling it on Skyridge 51-28 last week. The number 58 nationally ranked and number one team in Colorado is loaded with top talent in the state, and they certainly displayed it against the visiting top ten team from Utah. Senior Running Back Jayden Fox rushed for three touchdowns including a 65 yard blast in the fourth quarter to further solidify the win and Sr. QB Brady Vodicka threw three touchdowns.

It’s worth noting that Skyridge QB Kaneal Sweetwyne recorded four total touchdowns in the loss.

The Bruins enjoyed a bye week this week after opening the season with three wins over Nationally recognized programs. Hopefully this team keeps its edge as they face arguably their toughest test of the season on the road against Pine Creek. The game that is locally dubbed “The Battle of the Creek” will be this upcoming Thursday 9/25 at 7PM in Colorado Springs and can be seen on the NFHS Network.

Other top players to watch in this Cherry Creek squad go as follows:

The following data is from 247Sports: A phenomenal resource

• #1 Player in the State: DL Tufanua Ionatana Uma-Cais
  • 4 Star Committed to Washington
  • 6’3/ 307
  • Uma-Cais goes by “Ti” for short
• #2 in the State: TE Ty Goettsche
  • 4 Star recruit Committed to BYU
  • 6’6/ 225
• #5 LB Braylon Hodge
  • Committed to Michigan St
  • 6’3/ 212
• #8 OT Oliver Miller
  • Committed to Kansas St
  • 6’6/ 300
• #17 EDGE Cade Holles
  • Committed to Fresno St
  • 6’6/ 235
• #18 RB Jayden Fox
  • Committed to UConn
  • 5’11/ 185
  • 4×200 Relay State Champion in 2024
  • 6th in State in the 100 Meter as a Junior
• #19 QB Brady Vodicka
  • Committed to Louisiana Tech
  • 6’1/ 215

Good luck to Cherry Creek the rest of the way and best of luck to all of the young men as they continue to grow. Only up.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”- J.R.R. Tolkien THE HOBBIT

THE ROUND GAME: Soccer

Premier League

ARSENAL

The Gunners played a mid-week Champions League match against Athletico in Bilbao After a scoreless first half the Gunners scored two in the second half to win 2-0 to begin the Champions League campaign. Mosquera was immaculate in Saliba’s place at Center Back and the rest of the team played with the same focused intensity.

Both goals were scored by substitutes. The first goal came by way of some excellent team play and a smooth run and finish by Martinelli who subbed on for Eze, and the second came from Trossard who subbed for Gyokeres. Great win and perfect start to the European tournament.

The first goal was beautiful to watch. Mosquera headed the ball forward from just outside the defensive third to Declan who headed it forward near the halfway line where Trossard one touch flicked the pass along to Martinelli who was breaking behind the Athletico back line. Martinelli brought the pass down perfectly and after a thirty-yard burst, beat the Keeper one on one with the entire defense left in his dust. The team play and buildup to this goal are examples of the elements that earns this sport the name, “The Beautiful Game.”

• Man City 1 @ Arsenal 1

This morning Arsenal had the tough challenge of hosting Man City. It was 61 degrees with a slight North wind at kickoff. The pristine Rosemary Clooney blue-eyed sky that was peppered with cotton puff clouds contributed to the perfect day in North London. The packed Emirates Stadium belted “The Angel” as has become the custom in recent years. Shoutout the artist Louis Dunsford. What a lad.

Arsenal Lineup:

• GK Raya
• RB Timber
• CB Saliba
• CB Gabriel
• LB Calafiori
• CM Zubimendi
• CM Rice
• CM Merino
• RW Madueke
• ST Gyokeres
• LW Trossard
  • Bench:
    • Skelly
    • Mosquera
    • Saka
    • Eze
    • Nwaneri
    • White
    • Martinelli
    • Kepa

KEY MOMENTS:

• Man City Goal: Erling Haaland 8th minute
  • Poor defending from the Gunners led to easy work for the best Striker in the PL
• Arsenal lucked out with a goal in the 93rd minute by way of substitute Martinelli.

Overall, a pathetic display of a soccer match by both sides. Neither side deserved to win this game. Arsenal certainly would’ve been justified to lose. COYG! Things have to improve quickly.

OTHER NOTES:

• Arsenal host Port Vale in the English League Cup 9/24 at 1PM on Paramount+
• The next game in the Premier League has Newcastle travelling to the Emirates 9/28 at 9:30. COYG!
• Of note, Man City started twenty-year-old Nico O’Reilly at left back. The 6’4 young Englishman held his own and could be great once he gets his full confidence with the senior club.

“Nothing is decided after five games.”- Man City Manager Pep Guardiola

Sunderland

Aston Villa 1 @ Sunderland 1

• An unfortunate first half red card was issued to the home side Black Cats. This led to a slow but aggressive first hour of play.
• Villa’s Matty Cash opened the scoring in the 66th minute on a brilliant right-footed strike from seven yards or so outside the box. The keeper could’ve done a bit better, but that won’t take away from how pure Cash struck the ball.
• The home side did not stay down long as they equalised in the 75th minute. Wolsion Isidor tapped in the headed pass from former Gunner, Granit Xhaka that fell directly in front of him 4 yards from goal. The goalie, former Gunner Emilio Martinez was left stranded by his defense. Ironically, Matty Cash was the one who did not mark his man. 1-1 in the Stadium of Light and the home crowd came all the way back to life.
• The environment that erupted when Isidor’s goal hit the back of the net is the entire reason I’m a pseudo-Sunderland fan this season. This team needs to stay up at the top level. The Premier League is a better league with two tough teams all the way up North.
• A draw will have felt rewarding for the home side who played two thirds of the game a man down but draining for visiting Villa who have yet to win this season. Uncharacteristically, Aston Villa currently sit second bottom of the league. Meaning, if the season ended today, they would be relegated to join Wrexham in the Championship League one level below.
• Sunderland remains in the top 7.
• Sunderland host Nottingham Forest 9/27 at 10:30

Other Soccer:

COMO 1907

• Como hosted Genoa this past Monday Night in Serie A in a game that finished 1-1. Como of course are managed by former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas as mentioned previously, but what I learned during Monday’s game was that another former Arsenal Captain manages Genoa. Patrick Viera captained Arsenal during the glory years of the late 90’s and early 2000’s and led the Gunners to four FA Cups and three Premier League titles including the ‘Invincible’ season in 2004 and now coaches Italy’s oldest existing football club, Genoa.
  • Como opened the scoring with a ‘screaming’ shot off the left foot of future superstar and ‘Serie A’ Player of the Month in August, Nico Paz from outside the box.
  • The home side maintained this lead in front of a sold-out crowd for nearly the entire game. An unfortunate red card in the 88th minute left them a man short and eventually led to a Genoa goal in the 92nd minute. A disappointing ending considering how well the team performed.
• This morning Como travelled 7 hours south to the coastal town of Fiorentina.

Como 2 @ Fiorentina 1

• Fiorentina opened the scoring early in the game by way of Rolondo Mandragora in the 6th minute.
• In the 64th minute Fiorentina’s Goalkeeper David de Gea was beaten by Como’s Marc-Oliver Kempf on a header. Nico Paz delivered the brilliant ball on a free kick from the left side of the attacking third.
• The winner unsuspectingly came from Como newcomer Yacine Adli with a “venomous hit” in the 93rd minute from just outside the six-yard box.
• The Giant road win brings Como to 10th in the Table.
• Coach Cesc Fabregas will have his young bunch back in gear for the match on 9/27 as they host Cremonese on the shores of Lake Como. 7AM on Paramount.

Genoa 1 @ Bologna 2

• Unfortunate for the Patrick Viera side to lose this game in the way they did.
• A penalty was awarded in the 95th minute of stoppage time for a handball.
• Santiago Castro banged it in from the spot for his second of the day.
  • The 21 year old Argentine is rising through the ranks

Wrexham3 @ Norwich2

• After playing quite vanilla in the first half, Wrexham scored three goals in the first fifteen minutes of the second half to completely take over the game and earn their Second win of the season
• Josh Windass scored a brace.
• With a record of 2-3-1 the Welsh club sit at 15th sandwiched between Norwich who are ahead of them in goals scored and Millwall who are just behind them.

Pep spoke wisdom that every team and ‘round ball’ fan should understand– “Nothing is decided after five games.”

Back to the ‘oblong’ we go.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: THE SATURDAY GAME

Salt Lake City was buzzing all week for the matchup between undefeated Utah and Texas Tech. The Fox football coverage crew put on quite the show for the early, early morning kickoff. 10AM? Really? For a big time college football matchup? No matter. Ute fans showed up in droves full of energy to first rock the pregame show and then rock Rice-Eccles. To my knowledge, nearly all the tickets were sold. Unfortunately, the Utes never fully awakened and Texas Tech absolutely smothered the home side and sent the fans home disappointed.

While this game by far and away had the earliest start time and the most buzz locally, there were many other intriguing matchups.

• Hometown Tigers

The Tigers hosted the Razorbacks Saturday morning hoping to solidify their position in the national playoff conversation. Boy oh boy did they ever do just that very thing. The Tigers are 4-0 after heroically winning 32-31 over visiting Arkansas. A dramatic 4th quarter 64 yard touchdown run by Sutton Smith won the game.

After trailing by 11 at the half, the Tiger D held the Hogs to just three second half points and scored just enough to win.

Brenden Lewis totaled over 300 yards and recorded three total touchdowns.

Stand out Safety and McNelly Award Watchlist Kamari Wilson added 14 total tackles and an interception.

The AAC is strong, and this team is just one of the examples. It’s not fandom, it’s not irrational; it’s fact–the Memphis Tigers are as worthy as any other G5 team to be the representative in the College Football Playoff at this point. Well done, Hometown Tigers!

TOP GAMES:

• Auburn 17 @ Oklahoma 24
• Arkansas 31 @ Memphis 32
• Texas Tech 34 @ Utah 10
• Tulane 10 @ Mississippi 45
  • QB Trinidad Chambliss Totaled 419 yards and two touchdowns
• Illinois 10 @ Indiana 63
  • WR Omar Cooper 6 catches 78 yards, one touchdown

OTHER CFB Scores:

• Michigan 30 @ Nebraska 27
• Boise St 49 @ Air Force 37
• Maryland 27 @ Wisconsin 10
• Purdue 30 @ Notre Dame 56
  • RB Jadarian Price: 9 rushes for 74 yards and three scores
  • RB Jeremiah Love: 157 yards on the ground with two scores.
• Michigan St 31 @ Southern Cal 45
  • QB Jordan Maiava Totaled 265 yards and five touchdowns in the win.
• Florida 7 @ Miami 26
• Arizona St 27 @ Baylor 24
• Washington 59 @ Washington St 24
  • QB Demond Williams: 386 Total yards with 5 touchdowns.
• Iowa 38 @ Rutgers 28
• BYU 34 @ East Carolina 13
  • JR Cornerback Evan Johnson recorded 9 total tackles, 2 picks, and a touchdown in the win. McNelly Award watchlist.
• Northern Illinois 10 @ Miss St 38
  • Mississippi St is now 4-0 and has cleared their preseason win total of 3.5. Just go ahead and win the rest of them, Starkville. Everyone but the team up North is ready to ride that wagon. I know that ol’ Cowtown two hours south of my old stomping grounds is jumping tonight.
    • Dogs host the Vols next week.
• Fresno St 23 @ Hawaii 21

As promised last week, I’ve begun to rank the teams now that we have a sample size of more than some preseason numbers. I’ll have the entire rankings out by tomorrow morning, but for now, here is just a taste of the top 12.

TOP 12 WEEK 4:

1. Georgia (3-0)
   • vs Alabama
2. Ohio St (3-0)
   • @Washington
3. Penn St (3-0)
   • vs Oregon
4. Oregon (4-0)
   • @Penn St
5. Miami (4-0)
6. LSU (4-0)
   • @Mississippi
7. Oklahoma (4-0)
8. USC (4-0)
   • @Illinois
9. Tennessee (3-1)
   • @Miss St
10. Florida St (3-0)
11. Texas A&M (3-0)
12. Washington (3-0)
    • vs Ohio St

Look for the full rankings to be out first thing tomorrow morning. Many things have changed since my preseason rankings, but one thing hasn’t–Georgia is still the best team for me. Bama will be tough this week, and the Bulldogs may lose, but this team will be there in the end. Gunner Stockton is just getting started.

This wraps the Saturday game for this week. Many story lines developing and outstanding players to highlight. Always look for more from this site throughout the week.

“Change is inevitable. You must be ready for it and even anticipate it.”- Mike Leach GERONIMO

NFL: THE SUNDAY GROWN MANS GAME

The NFL has been a little flat in terms of viewing pleasure. I expect better scripts to be written later in the season.

UPDATE from Nashville:

• TITANS

Future MVP Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts visited Nashville earlier today and won in resounding fashion.

Colts 41 @ Titans 20

• Daniel Jones 255 total yards and 1 Td
• RB Jonathon Taylor: 118 yards and 3 touchdowns. Go Badgers.

The Colts are 3-0. That’s the story. Daniel Jones is about to start cooking.

As a longtime, original supporter of the “Nashville Oilers”–as they were dubbed by some disgruntled older co-workers of mine back in the day–I believe the future is bright. This young group is learning every week and will continue to gain confidence. This will be part of the story during next season’s Super Bowl run. This season, the AFC South is the going thru Indy.

Where Hometown Tiger blue blood runs deep within me, Tennessee Titan blue is not too far behind. I’m a McNair, Wycheck, Samari Rolle, Kevin Carter, Jevon Kearse, Eddie George, and Keith Bullock kind of guy. Oh, and Lorenzon Neal. Who didn’t love Lorenzo Neal?

Titans blasted the Bengals 35-3 or something to the liking and on the way to this blowout was a bootleg play action pass to the fullback, Lorenzo Neal. He unnecessarily bobbled it multiple times before corralling it and dramatically catching it on the sideline. It was comedic and spectacular and a touchdown, nonetheless. Yep, Lorenzo Neal was truly one of the best.

Fast forward to Vince Young and Chris Johnson–yikes. Those were exciting games. Chris Johnson scored a long Td on a screen play to the right. He sprinted and dashed and cut sixty-five yards or so before leaping up into the endzone bleachers directly into my brother’s lap. I celebrated by hyping him on the shoulder pad and looked up to the jumbotron in time to see us on the big screen. One of those moments that sticks with you.

Keith Bullock recorded a pick six in that game and launched the ball into the 40th row after crossing the goal line to celebrate. Pretty sure it was against the Stephen Jackson led Rams. I remember that tank of a human warming up by bashing his helmeted head against the goal post padding repeatedly. He was directly in front of my brother and I. We were decked out in Jersey’s and Blue Headgear. I wore #53. Keith Bullock was a beast! That was a special one-of-a-kind night.

All this to say, there is plenty of Titan blue love in my blood and to say, this year is not the Titans year. The Colts get to have their run. Let it be now. The future in Nashville is bright.

OTHER NFL Scores:

• New York (J) 27 @ Tampa Bay 29
  • Former Boomer Sooner Baker Mayfield is always fun to watch.
  • Bucs are 3-0.
• Pittsburgh 21 @ New England 14
  • Coach Tomlin’s defense shined with four forced fumbles on the day.

Football keeps on changing. It’s best we “anticipate” as Coach Leach suggested.

CONCLUSION

“Put on those Rattlesnake boots and crush that serpent’s head.”- Eric Church

What a weekend. Fresh air, adventure, elite high school football, entertaining games on Saturday, the ‘Round game’ this morning, and now I’m finishing typing this just as the Giants are about to take on the Chiefs on NBC. I’ll watch zero minutes of this one but give me the home team by 2.

Friday Night Lights have been my favorite part. Keep working hard young men.

Who besides me is grateful for everything? It’s not all happy and mountain tops. It rarely is. I’m grateful for every damn bit of it. Find the joy, find the good, find the lovely, find the positive, find the encouraging word, but most importantly,

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.