BYU

Kalama, Kinikini, Ross, and Kingston have big games during the first round of Utah high school playoffs: BYU Football Prep Tracker Week 11

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Only about half of the BYU football recruits were in-action this week in prep football as many of them had byes in the first round of the Utah high school playoffs.  For those that did play, there were several highlight games, including outstanding performances by Jarinn Kalama, Liutai Kinikini, Cooper Ross, and Parker Kingston.

Jarinn Kalama picked a great time to have his best and most complete game of the season.  He had 10 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown on offense, and six tackles (four solo) with a tackle for loss on defense to help Wasatch to a 55-20 win over Maple Mountain in the first round of the Utah 5A playoffs.

Liutai Kinikini also had his best game of the season as West defeated Granger 35-16 in the first round of the Utah 6A playoffs. Kinikini had five tackles, two pass breakups, and one tackle for loss.

Cooper Ross in Mesa, Arizona is not yet playing in the playoffs.  He did, however, help Heritage Academy to another lopsided victory as they defeated Southwest Leadership Academy 48-12.  Ross had four tackles (three solo), one sack, and five receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

And Parker Kingston did a little bit of everything in his last game for Roy.  He went 11-for-20 through the air for 107 yards, one touchdown and one interception. On the ground he rushed 16 times for 127 yards and two more scores. On defense he had two tackles (one solo), and on special teams he had to punts for 70 yards.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.  Despite his individual efforts, Roy fell to Westlake 30-28 and was eliminated from the Utah 6A playoffs.

Here is how the BYU commits from Utah are stacking up with the other prep leaders:

  • Cody Hagen is no. 2 in the state of Utah in receiving yards (1366) and yards per game (136.6), no. 10 in total receptions (65), and tied for no. 4 in receiving touchdowns (14).
  • Pokai Haunga is no. 6 in the state of Utah for receiving yards (1101), no. 6 in receiving yards per game (110.1), and tied for no. 6 in receiving touchdowns (13).
  • Maika Kaufusi is no. 6 in the state in receiving yards per game (114.4), no. 20 in receiving touchdowns (4), and tied for no. 1 in touchdowns per game (2.0).
  • Parker Kingston is no. 4 in the state of Utah for rushing touchdowns (18), tied for no. 3 in total touchdowns (20), no. 6 in yards per carry 9.1 (min of 50 carries), and no. 13 in total rush yards (1129).
  • Braxton Fely is no. 12 in the state of Utah for sacks (10.5), and no. 4 in tackles for loss (20).
  • Hezekia Ambrosio is no. 8 in the state of Utah for solo tackles (64), and tied for no. 10 in tackles for loss (19).
  • MaxPreps doesn’t have a leader board for forced fumbles, but if they did Baker would almost assuredly lead the state in forced fumbles (7) and defensive touchdowns (3).

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Here is a breakdown for each of the BYU commits:

Class of 2022 Commits (16)

  • Kaden Chidester (@Kaden_Chid, ATH).  Richfield HS (Richfield, Utah, 4-7) lost to Canyon View 34-28 in overtime in the first round of the Utah 3A playoffs.  Their season is now over.  Stats not yet recorded. Season totals: 11 games; 29 tackles (21 solo), three tackles for loss, four passes defended, 16 quarterback hurries, three sacks, one blocked field goal, one blocked PAT, three forced fumbles.
  • Cannon DeVries (@CannonDevries, WR/FS). Weber HS (Pleasant View, Utah, 8-2) had a first round bye in the Utah 6A playoffs and will face the winner of Layton and Hunter on October 29th.  Season totals: Ten games, 53 receptions for 732 yards and eight touchdowns, 22 carries for 245 yards and five touchdowns, 502 return yards, 71 tackles (50 solo), 13 passes defended, one tackle for loss, two blocked field goals, and three interceptions. He had 1479 all-purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns and was named the Region 1 MVP.
  • Peter Falaniko (@FalanikoPeter, OL). Pine View HS (St. George, Utah, 6-4) defeated Snow Canyon 31-22 in the first round of the Utah 4A playoffs.  No stats. Season totals: Nine games, no stats.
  • Braxton Fely (@Braxton_Fely, DL). Timpview HS (Orem, Utah, 8-2) had a first round bye in the Utah 5A playoffs and will face Bonneville on October 29th. Season totals: 10 games; 45 tackles (42 solo), 22 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and 10.5 sacks. MaxPreps has Fely at no. 12 in the state of Utah for sacks (10.5), and no. 4 in tackles for loss (20).
  • Cody Hagen (@_codyhagen_, WR). Corner Canyon HS (Draper, Utah, 9-1) will face Kearns October 29th after a first round bye in the Utah 6A playoffs.  Season totals: Ten games, 65 receptions for 1366 yards (21.0 avg) and 14 touchdowns. MaxPreps has Hagen at no. 2 in the state of Utah in receiving yards (1366) and yards per game (136.6), no. 10 in total receptions (65), and tied for no. 4 in receiving touchdowns (14).
  • Brooks Jones (@Brooks_Jones81, DE/TE). American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek, Arizona, 7-1) defeated Thunderbird 63-12.  They currently rank no. 10 in Arizona 4A.  Jones had six tackles, two quarterback hurries, and a pass deflection. Season totals: Eight games, 38 tackles (10 solo), six tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, four sacks, and a forced fumble.
  • Jarinn Kalama (@JarinnKalama, ATH). Wasatch HS (Heber City, Utah, 7-3) defeated Maple Mountain 55-20 in the first round of the Utah 5A playoffs.  Kalama had 10 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown on offense and six tackles (four solo) with a tackle for loss on defense. Season totals: Nine games, 56 receptions for 650 yards and four touchdowns, one pass for 55 yards, 27 tackles (20 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble.
  • Maika Kaufusi (@KaufusiMaika, S). Alta HS (Sandy, Utah, 6-4) defeated Uintah 54-13 in the first round of the Utah 5A playoffs.  Kaufusi was a big reason for the win with two touchdown receptions (of 14 and 91 yards). He had five receptions for 168 yards (33.6 avg) and two touchdowns with five tackles (four solo) and one tackle for loss.  Season totals: Five games, 23 receptions for 572 yards and 10 touchdowns, 23 tackles (14 solo), one tackle for loss, two passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.  MaxPreps show that Kaufusi is currently no. 6 in the state in receiving yards per game (114.4), no. 20 in receiving touchdowns (4), and tied for no. 1 in touchdowns per game (2.0).
  • Parker Kingston (QB). Roy HS (Ogden, Utah, 7-4) fell to Westlake 30-28 in the first round of the Utah 6A playoffs. Kingston went 11-for-20 through the air for one touchdown and one interception. On the ground he rushed 16 times for 127 yards and two more scores. And on defense he had two tackles (one solo). And on special teams he had to punts for 70 yards. Season totals: 11 games, 77-of-131 passing for 1088 yards and nine touchdowns (five interceptions), 124 carries for 1129 yards and 18 touchdowns, five kickoff returns for 256 yards and two touchdowns, five punt returns for 91 yards, eight tackles (seven solo), one pass defended, seven punts for 242 yards. MaxPreps has Kingston at no. 4 in the state of Utah for rushing touchdowns (18), tied for no. 3 in total touchdowns (20), no. 6 in yards per carry 9.1 (min of 50 carries), and no. 13 in total rush yards (1129).
  • Liutai Kinikini (LB). West HS (Salt Lake City, Utah, 8-1) defeated Granger 35-16 in the first round of the Utah 6A playoffs. Kinikini had five tackles, two pass breakups, and one tackle for loss. Season totals: Eight games, 29 tackles (11 solo), four passes defended, and one tackle for loss.
  • Aisea Moa (@aiseamoa_8, DE/TE). Weber HS (Pleasant View, Utah, 8-2) had a first round bye last week in the Utah 6A playoffs and will face the winner of Layton October 29th. Season totals: Nine games, seven carries for 22 yards and four touchdowns, one reception for 10 yards, 48 tackles (23 solo), eight tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and a 26 yard interception returned for a touchdown.
  • Noah Moeaki (@noah_moeaki, TE/OLB). American Fork HS (American Fork, Utah, 6-3) had a first round bye in the Utah 6A playoffs and will face Riverton on October 29th. Season totals: Nine games, 28 receptions for 422 yards and six touchdowns, 45 tackles (19 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception.
  • Trevin Ostler (@OstlerTrevin, ATH). Bountiful HS (Bountiful, Utah, 7-2) had a bye in the first round of the playoffs and will face Park City on October 29th. Season totals: Seven games, 17 tackles (five solo), two passes defended, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks.
  • Cooper Ross (@CooperJRoss, TE). Heritage Academy (Mesa, Arizona, 5-0) defeated Southwest Leadership Academy 48-12.  Ross had four tackles (three solo), one sack, and five receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Season totals: Six games, 29 receptions for 445 yards, 10 touchdowns, four two-point conversions, eight tackles (three solo), one tackle for loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and one 15-yard fumble recovery for touchdown.
  • Vae Soifua (@vae_soifua, OL). Orem HS (Orem, Utah, 5-5) defeated Brighton 42-22 in the first round of the Utah 5A playoffs. No stats. Season totals: 10 games, two tackles (two solo), one sack, one forced fumble.
  • Talin Togiai (@TogiaiTalin, OT/DT). Rigby HS (Rigby, ID, 8-1) lost their first game of the season 31-28 on the road to Madison.  Togiai recorded no stats. Season totals: Seven games, no stats.
  • Micah Wilson (@Micah_Wilson11, LB). Corner Canyon HS (Draper, Utah, 9-1) will face Kearns October 29th after a first round bye in the Utah 6A playoffs. Season totals: Nine games, 47 tackles (29 solo), three tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, 1.5 sack, and one interception for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Class of 2023 Commits (2)

  • Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio (@HezekiahAA, RB/LB). Timpview HS (Orem, Utah, 8-2) had a first round bye and will face Bonneville on October 29th. Season Totals: 16 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown, 76 tackles (64 solo), 19 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and eight sacks. MaxPreps has Ambrosio at no. 8 in the state of Utah for solo tackles (64), and tied for no. 10 in tackles for loss (19).
  • Pokai Haunga (@PokaiauaHaunga, WR). Timpview HS (Orem, Utah, 8-2) had a first round bye and will face Bonneville on October 29th. Season totals: Nine games, 16 rushes for 220 yards and a touchdown, 58 receptions for 1101 yards and 13 touchdowns, one kick return for 30 yards. MaxPreps has Haunga at no. 6 in the state of Utah for receiving yards (1101), no. 6 in receiving yards per game (110.1), and tied for no. 6 in receiving touchdowns (13).

Class of 2024 Commits (2)

  • Easton Baker (@BakerEaston, LB). Stansbury HS (Tooele, Utah, 8-2) had a first round bye in the 4A Utah playoffs and will face Olympus on October 29th. Season totals: Ten games, 85 tackles, six sacks, six quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, seven forced fumbles, and three fumbles recovered for touchdowns (returns of 8, 45, and 97 yards).  Four carries on offense for 40 yards and a touchdown, and one reception for 11 yards. MaxPreps doesn’t have a leader board for forced fumbles, but if they did Baker would almost assuredly lead the state in forced fumbles (7) and defensive touchdowns (3).
  • Dallin Johnson (@DallinJohnson73, ATH). Springville HS (Springville, Utah, 8-1) had a first round bye in the Utah 5A playoffs and will face Alta on October 29. Season totals: Nine games, 52 tackles (40 solo), seven quarterback hurries, two interceptions, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, 10 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.

Week 11 & Regular Season Highlights

Easton Baker (LB, Stansbury HS)

Cannon DeVries (WR/FS, Weber HS)

Peter Falaniko (OL, Pine View HS)


Pokai Haunga (WR, Timpview HS)

Jarinn Kalama (WR, Wasatch HS)

Parker Kingston (QB, Roy HS)

Aisea Moa (DE/TE, Weber HS)

Vae Soifua (OL, Orem HS)


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.

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