“In order to convince and inspire others to follow and accomplish a mission, a leader must be a true believer in the mission.”- Jocko Willink EXTREME OWNERSHIP

For the first time this season the back-to-back champs are coming off a loss. Over the halfway mark in the regular season has Lone Peak at the top of 6A Region 3 with other hungry teams also eyeing the playoffs. It’s been a fun season to watch unfold.

It’s been the most fun to watch the players that give their all every Friday Night for their schools. Some have stood out above all of the rest.

This will be a list of the players that I’ve seen this season that have made a positive impression upon me so far.

Impressive Utah High School Players: Not in any particular order

• OT/ IOL Esun Tafa

“#77 is an elite player–Giant with gentle feet and a running back’s motor” is what I scribbled on August 15th. Since then, I’ve used the term ‘jackrabbit feet’ when describing him. What I mean is–This dude is a 6’4/ 305 O-Lineman and he can chop his feet spritely as if he were a slender DB. Multiple times this season, I’ve watched him run step for step with the running back down the field. Tafa gliding full speed and steamrolling anyone naive enough to get in his path is a sight to behold.

There is still much to accomplish these last games at Corner Canyon, but I look forward to watching him progress at Southern Cal under Coach Riley.

• OT Bott Mulitalo

Up until this past Friday night, I had only watched film and read a few blurbs about Bott. “Ferocious with fast feet” is what I scribbled when observing #52. He was facing off against an aggressive, physical front and stood his own. At 6’5/300, he stood tall doing it. Mulitalo also showed his elite status with his ability to block downfield on several plays.

After Bott completes his commitments for Coach Brockbank and Lone Peak, he will head down the road to Provo and give his all securing the Cougar line.

• QB Helaman Casuga

“Crisp, confident, quick release” were the first of many notes that I scribbled during the first game against Bingham. He has since shown consistent accuracy on deep balls and exceptional toughness. The big hit he absorbed from the Boise St commit Paz St. John was a solid as they come. He’ll take plenty of those types of hits in the SEC next season at A&M.

His deep ball throw to Jasean Mayberry in the 3rd Quarter of the Liberty game was special. Jasean did his part to make the grab, but the throw was on a dime at 50+ yards.

Casuga will join Jerome Myles at Texas A&M next season. Jerome graduated from Corner Canyon last season and was the state of Utah’s top football recruit.

Big fan of the type of toughness I’ve seen with Casuga. Which is redundant because I’m a big fan of any of the tough young men on this list.

• ATH Kennan Pula
• WR Jaron Pula

Incredible. Truly incredible that these young men aren’t already in their second year of college. That’s how they look on the field and carry themselves. Both are confident in their abilities and are ball magnets. The type of player that is just ready for the ball in their hands at all times.

These guys look ready to help the Utes tomorrow. The speed, explosiveness, height, physicality, athletic ability, and overall ball skills make these two young men simultaneously elite.

Impressively, Jaron caught a jump ball on a 4th and 15 for a touchdown as well as having a 65 yard explosive catch and run TD.

When these two are lined up on the same side of the field, the image is quite imposing. Good luck high school DB’s.

Lone Peak has an absolute chance to claim the Title this year, and this gifted duo is just one of the reasons.

• QB Kaneal Sweetwyne

Moxie and leadership. Tall frame with a quick first step and strong arm. His positivity through adversity impressed me the most. He always seems to have the team on his shoulders. Thankfully, at 6’4 he’s tall enough to bear the load. Leader.

Kaneal and Helaman will go head-to-head this week.

• DE/ TE Manase Brown

I think I’ve mentioned Manase the most this season. Good gracious this guy is fun to watch. The first time he caught my eye was against Bingham when he was coming off the edge. “#88 is a ‘I just want to play ball kind of guy.’ Intense, fun, good speed off the edge…and can catch a pass at TE.” He’s repeated this in every game I’ve watched. Relentless motor.

• RB Devaughn Eka

“#24 is strong,” “24 is the offense” “#24 is an Achane type.” Devaughn went for 228 and two TD’s.

He’s BYU bound after his time at Lehi.

• OT Mataalii Benjamin

Minnesota Golden Gopher bound. “My days #55 is a unit” is what I scribbled after watching him for a half. He’s listed at 6’7/315. You tell me? That’s most NBA shooting guards’ height. I felt like a hobbit as he and the rest of the Lehi O-line walked past.

• DT Briggs Love

“Big, bad #95 Briggs Love. The energetic Lehi D-Lineman did it all the night I watched him. His interception and ‘Refrigerator Perry’ style rushing touchdown were fun to watch.

On the D-line, I was impressed with his ability to press the O-line every play. Constant spin moves inside and swim moves outside from #95.

• WR Legend Glasker

Two big plays impressed me the most. He’s dynamic and fearless in the moment. BYU bound after his time with Lehi.

• RB Weston Briggs

“6’2/ 205 and runs his ass off.” That’s the first scribble of the season written about him. The O-line creates the gaps, but someone has to see them and run through them and have the ability to run over the second level and the pace to pull away. Weston has exemplified all of these characteristics in every game I’ve watched him. “He runs like it’s his last day to have legs.”

• WR Kai Meza

Big fan of this guy’s route running and feel for the space that opens in the secondary. He and Casuga have a nice understanding. I like him on slants, posts, and hitches over the middle.

Meza is Minnesota bound where I hope he continues to develop his skills. He’s got the makeup of a solid receiver.

There are many, many other players I could name that have impressed me in some way halfway through this season, and many players that I’ve yet to lay eyes on that are probably outstanding. This is only a small taste at the elite talent that UHSAA 6A is featuring this season.

To all the players, wins and losses will come in bunches whether on the football field or in life. Regardless of the external conditions, continue through the process: the early morning workouts, the strict nutritious diet, and the different disciplines set in place by the coaches and watch the improvement. Each is responsible for maintaining themselves and bringing one hundred percent focus and effort each day. Each is responsible for improving themselves, so the team may also improve. Keep perspective, keep believing in the mission, and remain humble.

Whether you are a player on this list, one of the many that play every week, or like me, just a football fan, regardless of the externals, continue to be disciplined through the process. We all need each other.

Good luck the rest of the way!

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.