Game Details - Football

Two middle-of-the-pack teams looking to extend their seasons and earn shots at top-seeded West collide Friday when Pleasant Grove hosts Northridge in the first round of the 5A state playoffs. The 16th-seeded Vikings (4-6, 4-3 Region 7) welcome 17th-seeded Northridge (4-5, 3-3 Region 5) in what will be the first-ever meeting between these programs. Both teams ended their regular seasons on high notes, with Pleasant Grove routing Payson 48-0 and Northridge slipping past Clearfield 24-20. Pleasant Grove overcame a 1-6 start to win three straight games and secure a home playoff contest. The Vikings' offense found its rhythm during the closing stretch, averaging 25.3 points over their final three games after managing just 10 points per game in their first seven contests. Northridge has been resilient all season, with all nine of its games decided by 14 points or fewer. The Knights have won three of their last four games, with their only loss during that span coming in a wild 42-38 shootout against West Field. The Vikings' offense is directed by dual-threat quarterback Connor Ybarra, who has passed for 1,644 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 188 yards and four scores on the ground. Ybarra's favorite target is Ryder Huntsman, who has 48 receptions for 659 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. Rocky Wilcox (39 catches, 392 yards, two TDs) and Adam Wright (24 catches, 221 yards, two TDs) provide additional options in the passing game. Tavake Wolfgramm anchors Pleasant Grove's ground attack with 324 yards and three touchdowns on 78 carries, while Cohen Vohs has contributed 154 yards and a score on 30 attempts. Northridge counters with a two-quarterback system featuring Liam Fresques (1,118 yards, six TDs) and Grant Slater (611 yards, eight TDs). The Knights' passing attack is led by Makai So'o, who has hauled in 41 receptions for 518 yards and three touchdowns. Dontae Dyson adds 22 catches for 354 yards and a team-high five scores. The Knights' rushing attack features a balanced approach with Seon Kumar (267 yards, two TDs) and Andrew Ortiz (250 yards, four TDs) sharing the workload. Korbin Christy provides a big-play threat with 146 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries. Defensively, Pleasant Grove is anchored by linebacker Dereck Brinton, who leads the team with 83 tackles and three sacks. Bo Goodman (77 tackles, one INT) and Ryder Huntsman (39 tackles, two INTs) have also been standouts for a Vikings unit that has generated 10 takeaways. Northridge's defense features Makai So'o (65 tackles) and Cooper Tubbs (49 tackles), with JP Mafi (19 tackles, two sacks, one INT) providing pressure and coverage skills from his linebacker position. The winner advances to face top-seeded West (9-1) in the second round on Oct. 31.