As we get into the latter half of the prep football season, several BYU football are regularly making headlines. A few of these student-athletes have already broken school records, while several are on pace to do so later this season.
There were outstanding performances around the country on Friday, including Washington athlete Leo Pulalasi, Arizona preps Jackson Bowers and Pierson Watson, California receiver JoJo Phillips, Oklahoma lineman Andrew Heinig, , and Utah preps Ryder Burton and Siale Esera.
Let’s start with Washington standout Leo Pulalasi.
In his fourth game of the season he had 10 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns, an 11-yard reception, a two-point conversion, six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a 40-yard punt. He is a top three statistical leader for Lakes in SEVEN different categories (receiving yards per game, rushing yards per game, total TDs, tackles per game, interceptions, receiving TDs, rushing TDs).
If Pulalasi continues to produce like he has through four games, he’s on track to end the season with 1000 yards rushing and 25+ touchdowns, 500 yards receiving with another 10+ touchdowns, and 50 tackles with 20 tackles for loss.
Washington State and Oregon State both offered Pulalasi two weeks ago. If he continues to produce at this record-breaking level expect him to receive several more quality P5 scholarship offers.
Top Arizona linebacker Pierson Watson had a career night on Friday with 15 total tackles (10 solo), two tackles for loss, and two sacks. He has also only played four games and could have a magical season if he keeps his production up on both sides of the field.
4-star Arizona tight end Jackson Bowers has started seeing more time on the defensive side of the ball. On Friday he had four receptions for 43 yards and a one-yard carry. But he also had a tackle, a tackle for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. His mid-season highlights show why he is one of the top recruits in the West.
Oklahoma lineman and pancake specialist Andrew Heinig is anchoring the offense, but he’s also making some plays on D. Last Friday he had seven tackles with three tackles for loss.
Siale Esera committed to BYU just a few weeks ago, picking the Cougs over Michigan, USC and Utah. His performance on Friday shows what kind of an impact he can make for the Cougars next year and beyond. He had seven tackles and an impressive 64-yard pick six where he outruns a receiver that must be at least 50 pounds lighter than him.
California receiver JoJo Phillips had a nice haul on Friday of five receptions for 75 yards. But his play of the game was a double pass that went for a 17-yard touchdown. It was Phillips first career touchdown pass.
Speaking of impressive passing, Springville quarterback Ryder Burton had an incredible day in their 74-20 demolition of Maple Mountain. Burton went 17-of-24 passing for 375 yards and three touchdowns (no interceptions), and had two rushes for 37 yards. His totals through eight games aren’t quite as eye popping as his junior campaign, but they are still very impressive. He has 1444 passing yards for 14 touchdowns (to four interceptions) with nearly 100 yards rushing and two more scores.
The following is a round up of all the stats for BYU commits recorded in week 8 of prep football:
- Easton Baker (LB) 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss in one quarter of play
- Owen Borg (LB) 3 tackles (two solo)
- Jackson Bowers (TE/DE) 4 receptions for 43 yds, a 1-yd carry, 1 tackle, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF
- Ryder Burton (QB) 17-of-24 passing for 375 yds and 3 TDs, 2 rushes for 37 yds
- Landen Chambers (RB) Bye week
- Saimone Davis (ATH) Stats not available
- Siale Esera (LB/DE) 7 tackles (6 solo), and a 64-yd pick six
- Matthew Fredrick (TE/DE) 2 receptions for 18 yds
- Miles Hall (ATH) is out with a shoulder injury
- Chance Harrison (ATH) 2 receptions for 5 yds, 4 tackles (3 solo)
- Pokai Haunga (WR) is currently injured
- Andrew Heinig (OL/DE) Stats not available
- Dallin Johnson (DT) 5 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL, 1 QBH
- Josiah Phillips (WR) 5 receptions for 75 yds, and a 17-yd TD pass
- Leo Pulalasi (ATH) 10 carries for 142 yds, 3 TDs, 1 reception for 11 yds, 2-pt conversion, 6 TKLs, 2 TFL, 40-yd punt
- Stanley Raass (DL) status unknown
- Adney Reid (ATH) not playing while living in Australia
- Will Walker (P/K) 2 punts for 75 yds
- Pierson Watson (LB) 15 tackles (10 solo), 2 TFL, 2 sacks
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Complete season stats
A complete account of all prep scores and statistics for this past weekend are included below (updated as stats are made available:
Easton Baker (LB, Class of 2024). This Week: No. 11 ranked Stansbury (Utah, 8-0) defeated Mountain View 49-7, extending their streak of holding their opponent to single digit points for the fifth week in a row. Baker had three tackles (three solo), and two tackles for loss (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In eight games, Baker has 58 tackles (31 solo), eight tackles for loss, five sacks, and one forced fumble. Follow Baker on Twitter @BakerEaston
Owen Borg (LB, Class of 2023). This week: The now No. 3 ranked Corner Canyon (UT 6A, 6-2) defeated Westlake 52-14. Borg had three tackles (two solo) (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In six games Borg has 44 tackles (27 solo), three tackles for loss, three passes defended, and three interceptions. Follow Borg @Owenborg10.
Jackson Bowers (TE, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 17 ranked Mountain View (Arizona 6A, 2-3) defeated Chaparral 29-26. Bowers had four receptions for 43 yards, a one-yard carry, one solo tackle, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In five games Bowers 24 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns, one carry for one yard, two solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, an done forced fumble. Follow Bowers on Twitter @jackson_bow3rs.
Ryder Burton (QB, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 13 ranked Springville (Utah 5A, 7-1) defeated Maple Mountain 74-20. Burton went 17-of-24 for 375 yards and three touchdowns (no interceptions), with a QB rating of 152.8. He also had two carries for 37 yards (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In eight games Burton is 82-of-157 passing for 1444 yards and 14 touchdowns to four interceptions. He also has 34 carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Follow Burton on Twitter @RyderBurton5
Landen Chambers (RB, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 150 ranked Fossil Ridge (Texas, 3-2) had a bye week (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In three games Chambers has 76 carries for 361 yards and five touchdowns, and seven receptions for 55 yards. Follow Chambers on Twitter @_LandenChambers
Saimone Davis (ATH, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 241 ranked Colleyville Heritage (Texas, 3-2) lost to Grapevine 44-26. Davis recorded no stats (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In four games Davis has nine receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and four solo tackles. Follow Davis on Twitter @SaimoneDavis.
Siale Esera (LB/DE, Class of 2023). This week: No. 3 ranked Timpview (Utah 5A, 6-1) defeated Orem 62-42. Esera had seven tackles (six solo), and a 64-yard pick six (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In seven games Esera has 51 tackles (38 solo), with five tackles for loss, three passes defended, one sack, and one 64-yard interception returned for a touchdown. Follow Esera on Twitter @EseraSiale
Matthew Fredrick (TE/DE, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 17 ranked East (Utah 5A, 4-4) defeated Skyline 63-24. Fredrick had two receptions for 18 yards (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In five games Fredrick has nine receptions for 92 yards. Follow Fredrick on Twitter @Matthew_fred21
Miles Hall (ATH, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 46 ranked Skyline (Utah 5A, 4-4) fell to East 63-24. Hall is out with a shoulder injury (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In six games Hall has 34 receptions for 740 yards (no. 6 in the state) and nine touchdowns, two carries for zero yards, and two kickoff returns for 34 yards. On defense he has 74 tackles (37 solo), two passes defended, one forced fumble, one interception, four tackles for loss, and one sack. Follow Hall on Twitter @MilesHall004
Chance Harrison (ATH, Class of 2024). This week: No. 121 ranked Rio Mesa (California, 4-2) defeated Buena 14-13. Harrison had two receptions for five yards and four tackles (three solo) (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In six games Harrison has one carry for nine yards, 17 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns, three kickoff returns for 83 yards, 31 tackles (21 solo), with two tackles for loss and two passes defended. Follow Harrison on Twitter @ChanceHarriso14
Pokai Haunga (WR, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 4 ranked Timpview (Utah 5A, 6-1) defeated Orem 62-42. Haunga is still out due to injury (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In one game Haunga has two receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. On defense he four solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one 35-yard interception. Follow Haunga on Twitter @PokaiauaHaunga
Andrew Heinig (OL/DE, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 123 ranked Glenpool High School (Oklahoma 5A, 3-2) defeated Durant 38-35. Heinig is playing defensive end and left tackle. On defense he had seven tackles with three tackles for loss (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In one game he has seven tackles and three tackles for loss. Follow Heinig on Twitter @Andrew_Heinig
Dallin Johnson (DT, Class of 2024). This Week: No. 13 ranked Springville (Utah 5A, 7-1) defeated Maple Mountain 74-20. Johnson had five tackles (three solo), a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In seven games Johnson has 54 tackles (36 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and 8.5 sacks (no. 5 in the state). Follow Johnson on Twitter @DallinJohnson73
Josiah Phillips (WR, Class of 2023). This week: No. 55 ranked Sierra Canyon, California, 2-4) fell to Bishop Amat 31-28. Phillips threw his first pass of the season, and connected for a 17-yard touchdown. He also had five receptions of his own for 75 yards (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In five games Phillips has 16 receptions for 304 yards and a touchdown, and has completed a 17-yard touchdown pass (MaxPreps). Follow Phillips on Twitter @josiahPhillip20
Leo Pulalasi (ATH, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 36 ranked Lakes High School (Washington 3A, 4-0) defeated Silas 70-28. Pulalasi had 10 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns, one receptions for 11 yards, six solo tackles, two tackles for loss, a two-point conversion, and a 40-yard punt (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In four games Pulalasi has rushed 30 times for 289 yards and nine touchdowns, has seven receptions for 180 yards and three touchdowns, a two-point conversion, one kickoff return for 37 yards, one punt return for 38 yards, 21 tackles (20 solo), five tackles for loss, one pass defended, one blocked field goal, one interception (returned 13 yards). He has punted four times for 130 yards. Follow Pulalasi on Twitter @LeoPulalasi
Stanley Raass (DL, Class of 2023). This Week: Raass is no longer playing for Skyridge (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: Not yet available. Follow Raass on Twitter @RaassStanley
Adney Reid (ATH, Class of 2024). This Week: Reid competed for Spanish Fork as a Freshman but is currently living in Australia where his parents are serving as mission president. He is not playing American football currently (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: n/a. Follow Reid on Twitter @adney_reid.
Will Walker (K/P, Class of 2025). This Week: No. 20 ranked Riverton (Utah 6A, 5-3) defeated Herriman 22-14. Walker had two punts for 75 yards (MaxPreps, Deseret News). Season Totals: In four games Walker has 17 punts for 566 yards (36.2 avg when you remove one blocked punt). Follow Walker on Twitter @WillWalker84
Pierson Watson (LB, Class of 2023). This Week: No. 53 ranked Coconino (Arizona 4A, 2-2) deveated Apache Junction 28-21. Watson had 15 tackles (10 solo) with two tackles for loss and two sacks (MaxPreps). Season Totals: In four games Watson has two receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown, one 61-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 35 tackles (19 solo), with three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. He has also kicked off twice for 121 yards (both touchbacks). Follow Watson on Twitter @PiersonWatson
There are 19 verbal commits to the BYU football program: 14 players committed as part of the Class of 2023, four in the Class of 2024, and one in the Class of 2025.
If you love our content, please support our sponsors. We can’t produce our show and articles without our sponsors. They are also an official sponsor of the BYU football team. This article is brought to you by Built Bar, built.com. Use “Criddle10” coupon code for 10% off your order.
