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The playoffs for high school football in Utah are right around the corner and the matchups are set.
The Corner Canyon Chargers are looking for their fourth consecutive state title, and a win in their season-ending game leaves them atop the rankings. Most teams in the Top 25 will get a bye for the first round in their respective classification, putting them in good position for decent runs at a title.
Juab makes an appearance to end the season due to a good record and a top stop in the RPI for 3A. Stansbury moved up in a big way, while Grantsville did the opposite.
This might be a good time for reflection. After 10 weeks of evaluation literally more than 100 teams in the state, the committee of one might realized that there are a lot of good football programs out there. Two teams ended up undefeated, and they weren’t in the quote-unquote good classifications. It just goes to show that you don’t need to be in 6A or 5A to develop good players or employ good coaches.
Here are The Salt Lake Tribune’s prep football Top 25 power rankings for the final week of the 2021 season.
1. Corner Canyon (9-1)
Previous week: 1
The Chargers ended their season with a win and also earned a bye in the first round of the 6A playoffs. They officially start their quest for a fourth straight state title on Oct. 29, when they’ll face the winner of Kearns-Fremont.
2. Skyridge (9-1)
Previous week: 2
The Falcons beat American Fork, which was ranked No. 6 last week. They’re on the other side of the 6A bracket compared to Corner Canyon, and will face the winner of Roy-Westlake on Oct. 29
3. Ridgeline (10-0)
Previous week: 3
The Riverhawks capped an undefeated season with a bye in the first round of the 4A tournament. They face the winner of Logan-Cedar on Oct. 29.
4. Lone Peak (6-2)
Previous week: 4
The Knights ended the season winners of three of their last four games and became Region 4 champs. The No. 2 ranking in the RPI gives them a bye and they’ll play the winner of Davis-Herriman on Oct. 29.
5. Mountain Ridge (8-2)
Previous week: 5
It took overtime against Herriman for the Sentinels to win their last game, but doing so gave them a bye in the first round of 6A. They play the winner of Syracuse-Pleasant Grove.
6. West Jordan (7-2)
Previous week: 7
The Jaguars broke a two-game losing streak to end the season, but they have to play in the first round of 6A. They face Clearfield on Friday.
7. South Summit (10-0)
Previous week: 8
The Wildcats nabbed an undefeated season in 2A, and with it a bye in the first round. They’ll play the winner of Providence Hall-Judge Memorial on Oct. 29.
8. Beaver (9-1)
Previous week: 9
The Beavers ended 2021 on a good note and they got a bye in 2A as well. They’ll play the winner of the game between Delta and American Leadership Academy.
9. San Juan (9-1)
Previous week: 10
San Juan got the top stop in the RPI for 2A, which means they’ll play the winner of Millard-South Sevier.
10. American Fork (6-3)
Previous week: 6
The Cavemen lost their last game of the season to No. 2 Skyridge, but still earned a bye to start the 6A playoffs. They’ll face the winner of Riverton-Cyprus.
11. Springville (8-1)
Previous week: 12
The Red Devils had a bye week, and will have another to start the 5A playoffs. They’ll play the winner of Uintah-Alta.
12. Stansbury (8-2)
Previous week: 20
The Stallions ended the year with a seven-game winning streak, and did so against a Timpanogos team that was No. 11 last week. They’ll face the winner of Olympus-Payson.
13. West (7-1)
Previous week: 13
Despite the Panthers finishing with a six-game winning streak, they’ll face Granger in the first round of the 6A playoffs on Friday. West played Granger in the season finale.
14. Timpanogos (8-2)
Previous week: 11
The Timberwolves had their three-game winning streak snapped, but they still got a bye in the 5A first round. Timpanogos will face the winner of Box Elder-Tooele.
15. Provo (7-2)
Previous week: 14
The Bulldogs ended 2021 on a bye. They’ll face the winner of Brighton-Orem due to their fifth-place ranking in the 5A RPI.
16. Tooele (7-2)
Previous week: 15
The Buffaloes had a bye week, and will face Box Elder in the first round of the 5A playoffs Friday.
17. Duchesne (8-1)
Previous week: 16
The Eagles beat North Summit and ended up first in the 1A RPI. They’ll play the winner of Gunninson Valley-Parowan.
18. Weber (8-2)
Previous week: 18
The Warriors ended the season with eight straight wins. With a No. 4 ranking in the 6A RPI, they’ll get a bye and play the winner of Layton-Hunter.
19. Kanab (8-2)
Previous week: 19
The Cowboys won their eight straight and closed the season ranked second in the 2A RPI. A bye week in the first round means they’ll face the winner of North Summit-Rich.
20. Juab (9-1)
Previous week: Unranked
The Wasps get a spot in the rankings behind a seven-game winning streak and a No. 1 RPI ranking in 3A. They’ll play the winner of Manti-Ogden.
21. Brighton (8-2)
Previous week: 22
The Bengals won their fifth straight game behind a complete performance from start linebacker Lander Barton. Brighton plays Orem in the first round of the 5A playoffs.
22. Timpview (8-2)
Previous week: 21
The Thunderbirds won their fifth straight game to close 2021. They’re the No. 2 team in the 5A RPI, which means they’ll get a bye for the first round of the playoffs. Whoever wins between Bonneville and Northridge will play them.
23. Riverton (7-3)
Previous week: 24
The Silverwolves won their final game of the season, but narrowly missed the opportunity for a bye to start the 6A playoffs. Riverton will play Cyprus on Friday.
24. Bountiful (7-2)
Previous week: 25
The Redhawks nabbed their sixth straight win and will get a bye in the first round of the 5A playoffs. They’ll see the winner of Park City-Skyline.
25. Grantsville (7-3)
Previous week: 17
The Cowboys lost a narrow game to Juan Diego, ending their seven-game streak. They’ll get a bye for the first round of the 3A playoffs, facing the winner of Union-Carbon.
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