The Bountiful (UT) varsity football team will face Brighton (Salt Lake City, UT) in a neutral-site playoff game on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 2:30 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Utah High School Football
Who: Bountiful (UT) vs Brighton (UT)
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 2:30. p.m. ET
“2024 UHSAA – Football State Championships – 5A Football Championship”
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Comparing Brighton and Bountiful High School Football Teams: A Clash of Titans

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, two teams stand head and shoulders above the rest in the Utah rankings: Brighton and Bountiful. Both teams boast impressive records, dominant performances, and eye-popping statistics that make their eventual showdown all the more exciting. Let’s take a deeper dive into their statistics, key players, and performances this season to see what makes each team a powerhouse.

Record Breakdown: A Mirror Image

Both Brighton and Bountiful share identical overall records of 11-1, indicating their consistent dominance throughout the season. These two teams have proven themselves to be among the top contenders in Utah high school football, each with a nearly perfect record in their respective leagues and home and away games.

• Brighton: With a 5-1 record in their region and a perfect 7-0 record at home, Brighton’s performance has been stellar both within and outside their league. Their 11-1 overall record includes strong non-league victories, further underlining their ability to compete against tough opponents.
• Bountiful: Much like Brighton, Bountiful has posted a 6-1 region record, also excelling at home with a 7-0 record. Their dominant performances have helped them achieve their 11-1 record as well, with a particularly strong 4-1 showing on the road.

The most interesting statistic is their head-to-head and common opponent records. While the two teams have not faced off this season, they both boast impressive results against common opponents, including Olympus and Alta. Brighton, with a 2-1 record against common foes, has edged out victories over Olympus and Alta, while Bountiful remains undefeated at 2-0.

Team Scoring and Offensive Power

Looking at their scoring averages, Bountiful holds the upper hand in terms of total points per game, averaging 35.7, compared to Brighton’s 27.4. However, Brighton has shown a more balanced scoring pattern, while Bountiful has been more explosive, especially in the first half of games.

• Brighton’s Scoring Breakdown:
  • Q1: 4.6
  • Q2: 10.9
  • Q3: 6.2
  • Q4: 5.0
  • Total: 27.4

Brighton starts slow in the first quarter but surges in the second quarter before tapering off slightly in the second half.

• Bountiful’s Scoring Breakdown:
  • Q1: 10.3
  • Q2: 14.1
  • Q3: 5.3
  • Q4: 7.0
  • Total: 35.7

Bountiful, by contrast, is far more aggressive out of the gate, scoring over 10 points in both the first and second quarters before cooling off a little in the second half. This early momentum has been key in their impressive season.

Offensive and Defensive Statistics

A key area where these teams differ is in their offensive and defensive statistics.

• Brighton’s Offensive Numbers:
  • Rushing Yards: 188.1 per game
  • Passing Yards: 165.0 per game
  • Total Yards: 353.1 per game
• Bountiful’s Offensive Numbers:
  • Rushing Yards: 213.6 per game
  • Passing Yards: 188.3 per game
  • Total Yards: 401.8 per game

Bountiful has the advantage in total yardage, thanks to a powerful rushing attack and efficient passing game. Brighton’s numbers, while solid, are slightly lower in both rushing and passing yards.

On the defensive side, Bountiful also holds an edge in tackles per game, averaging 61.4 compared to Brighton’s 56.2. Brighton’s defense, however, has been more adept at getting to the quarterback, recording 4.3 sacks per game compared to Bountiful’s 1.8. Both teams have strong defensive units that excel in different ways.

Key Players to Watch

Both teams feature standout individual players whose performances are vital to their success:

• Brighton:
  • Mason Haertel: The top rusher for Brighton, Haertel has an impressive 136.9 yards per game and is a key part of their offensive attack.
  • Ryce Palepoi: A versatile threat, Palepoi leads Brighton in both passing yards (171.0 per game) and total yards (199.7 per game).
  • Ryan Williamsen: As a key tackler for Brighton, Williamsen has averaged 6.8 tackles per game, helping to solidify their defense.
• Bountiful:
  • Siaki Fekitoa: Bountiful’s star running back, Fekitoa leads the team with 146.9 rushing yards per game and contributes significantly to their offensive success.
  • Emerson Geilman: With 186.7 passing yards per game, Geilman is a dynamic quarterback who can make plays both in the air and on the ground.
  • Dawson Allsop: A defensive force, Allsop averages 7.8 tackles per game and has been a cornerstone of Bountiful’s defensive strength.

Conclusion: A Season to Remember

With the regular season winding down, both Brighton and Bountiful are poised to make deep playoff runs. While their offensive strategies may differ, with Brighton favoring a more balanced approach and Bountiful leaning on an explosive first half, both teams have demonstrated the ability to dominate opponents with their strength, speed, and tactical execution.

As the playoffs approach, fans can look forward to a thrilling postseason where these two teams could potentially meet for a showdown that will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated matchups in Utah high school football. Keep an eye on Brighton and Bountiful as they look to cap off their stellar seasons with a championship run.