COMMENTARY — We’re nearly midway through the season and we’ve already seen some record-setting performances. This week’s edition includes lists of the top-20 winningest coaches, both all-time and active, by victories and winning percentage. Another feature lists each school’s record holder for single-game passing and rushing yards. Some of the top performers may be unexpected.

The Unbeaten and the Winless
The number of undefeated teams dropped from 23 to 16 last week, while six squads picked up their first victory, leaving 15 still working for that first win.

Just one contest pits unblemished teams, and it’s a Region 5 showdown: surprising Roy at Logan. A victory sends the Royals to 5-0 for just the fourth time in their 49 years, and first since their best-ever 10-0 start in 1975 when Jim McMahon played QB. Logan has won 13 straight in the series going back to 1992 to grab a 16-14 lead.

Only one game matches winless squads, and again it’s in Region 5: Bonneville at Mountain Crest. MC has snared the last 10 to lead the series 13-6.

Fast Starts with New Coaches
None of this year’s 15 first-time head coaches are undefeated after four weeks, but three newcomers have lost just once.

Perhaps most impressively, Matt Hammer motivated Weber to end its two-plus year, 23-game losing streak. The Warriors last won three games in 2010 and look for a winning season for the first time since 2009. The 3-1 start is Weber’s best since opening 4-0 in 2002.

In addition, Chas Ryan has eight-year-old American Leadership at 3-1, already matching the Eagles’ most-ever season wins. At Snow Canyon, Marcus Matua has lost just once in three outings.

Two more coaches, Steve Clements – new at Westlake – and Doyle Holt – new at Layton Christian – are 3-1, but both have previously coached – at Lehi and Granger, respectively.

More 4-0 Starts
A couple of other programs under nearly new management relish great season starts: Desert Hills, under second-year coach Carl Franke, continues to enjoy its best beginning. Springville, helmed by second-year coach Willy Child, hasn’t started this well since 2004, when the Red Devils won their first 10 games.

Grand County last started 4-0 in 2006, but hasn’t claimed five victories to begin a season since 1997…. Grantsville is 4-0 for the first time since an 8-0 start in 1992.

With victories, Pleasant Grove (at Lehi) and South Summit (vs. Summit Academy) will be 5-0 for the first time since 2009…. Bingham, Davis and Richfield are off to their fastest starts since 2010.

Some Top Performances from Week 4
Bear River’s 62-48 score-a-thon win over Tooele saw the most combined points (110) in a non-overtime game since 1972 and the sixth-most ever. Tooele’s effort tied the Buffaloes in second place for the most points in a losing cause. (Park City fell to Uintah 51-49 just last year.)

In guiding the Bears to victory, JarDee Nessen set four school records with 493 yards of total offense, 492 passing yards (the 10th best all-time performance statewide), seven TD passes (which ranks third all-time) and eight touchdowns overall (which is fifth most all-time).

His favorite receiver, Colton Jensen, amassed 283 reception yards, which ranks fourth-best all-time. It’s the most since 2010 when Wasatch’s Keefer Babbitt established the state record with 314 receiving yards.

Jordan’s Austin Kafentzis racked up 569 total offense yards – the fourth best performance on record – even though it came in a losing effort. That’s the most since Logan’s D.J. Nelson set the state mark with 606 in 2011.

Kafentzis’ career total offense – 10,626 yards – is 2,291 away from matching the state record. He’s seventh in career passing yards with 7,047 and has completed 459 passes, just seven shy of moving into the top-10.

Hurricane’s Ethan Stratton became the 21st Utah prep gridder to kick 100 career extra points. But two other active players are ahead of him this year: Duchesne’s Braxton Spencer has booted 119 (tied for 13th all-time) and Juan Diego’s Andrew Montoya has 110 (tied for 18th).

Pleasant Grove’s Spencer Romney returned two punts for scores – that hasn’t happened since 2007.

Bingham tied the state record for Team Interceptions Returned for Touchdowns with three…. Also last week, Juan Diego scored a school-record 69 points in beating up Ben Lomond.

Week 5’s Most-played Rivalries (min. 50 games)
Cedar dominates its series with Hurricane 43-16-3 as they tangle for the 63rd time, but the Tigers have captured four of the last five against the Redmen.

Box Elder and Ogden revive their rivalry for the first time since 2010 and for the 60th time overall – the Bees have a 37-20-2 series edge.

Highland leads East 32-23 heading into their 56th battle. They’ve clashed every year since Highland opened in 1957 except for a four-year span from 1993-96.

Lehi faces Pleasant Grove for the 56th time with the Pioneers up 29-24-2. The Vikings have won 12 in a row from Lehi going back to 1973, but since 1984, they’ve only knocked heads four times, including the past two years. At 3-1, the Pioneers are off to their best start since opening 4-0 in 2002.

First-time Matchups (7)
Inaugural meetings include three non-region games: Snow Canyon at Copper Hills, Grantsville JV at Duchesne and Jordan at Herriman; and four region contests: Corner Canyon at Olympus, Wasatch at Salem Hills, Summit Academy at South Summit and American Fork at Westlake.

Other Game Notes
Realignment forced many gridiron matchups that haven’t happened for several years, although the three longest droughts this week are non-region games: Provo at Sky View (1987 quarterfinal), Timpanogos at Hillcrest (2000) and Bingham at Granger (2004).

Region (mostly) contests include Park City at Tooele (2005), Kanab at Whitehorse (2006), Grantsville at Carbon (2008), Layton Christian at North Sevier (non-region, 2008), Morgan at Emery (2009, but last met during the regular season in 1984).

Five pairings last occurred in 2010: Juan Diego at Bear River, Kearns at Cyprus, Viewmont at Weber, Manti at North Sanpete and Spanish Fork at Maple Mountain.

In the St. George area, Dixie and Pine View duke it out for the 37th time. It’s an uninterrupted rivalry that started in 1983 when Pine View opened. Dixie has snatched three of the last four to close the Panthers’ series lead to 23-13.

Desert Hills and Payson have met just once – in last year’s first round of the playoffs. The Thunder blitzed the Lions, 48-21.

Milestone Games
Logan’s Mike Favero is gunning for his 125th victory. Up the road at Sky View, a Bobcat victory ties Craig Anhder (57-36 since 2005) with Earl Lindley (58-30-3 from 1968-77) as the school’s all-time win leader.

Brandon Matich, now in his ninth season, guides his 100th game overall at Park City (57 there) and East (43rd).

Hurricane plays its 600th game, while Viewmont competes for the 500th time.

The Top-Five…
Scoring teams: East 45.3 ppg, Grand 43.5, Pine View 42.3, Sky View 41.5, Bear River 40.8.

Defensive teams: Duchesne 3.3, Desert Hills 4.8, Davis 5.3, South Summit 5.3, Brighton 8.5.

By winning margin: Grand 33.3, Brighton 31.0, Duchesne 28.3, Davis 27.8, Sky View 26.5.

Top-20 Winningest Coaches (records through Sept. 14)
All-time – by Victories (min. 10 years)
1) 301 – Roger DuPaix (Highland, 1977-85; Skyline, 1986-2011)
2) 237 – Thom Budge (Bonneville, 1975-2005)
3) 229 – Al Marshall (Beaver, 1963-88; Millard, 1992-94)
4) 220 – Larry Wall (Bountiful, 1985-present)
5) 213 – Earl Ferguson (Box Elder, 1921-59)
6) 210 – Arlyn Hafen (Kanab, 1965-93)
7) 179 – John Colosimo (Judge, 1985-96; Juan Diego 2000-present)
8) 174 – Dan Wright (Wasatch, 1959-86)
9) 170 – Blaine Monkres (Morgan, 1990-93; Fremont, 1994-2007; Dixie, 2008-present)
10) 168 – Walter Brooks (Dixie, 1949-74)
11) 161 – Dean Fowles (Delta, 1982-2004)
12) 160 – Davis Knight (American Fork, 1982-2009)
13) 159 – Dave Peck (North Sanpete, 1984; Cyprus, 1995-99; Bingham, 2000-present)
14) 156 – Jimmy Jones (Emery, 1985-2002, 2006-present)
15) 155 – Dan Cox (Bear River, 1981-87; Mountain Crest, 1988-2000; Sky View, 2004)
155 – Todd Peacock (East Carbon, 1987; North Sanpete, 1988-90; Cedar, 1991-present)
17) 149 – Taft Watts (Millard, 1943-63)
18) 148 – Mark Wootton (North Sanpete, 1991-2003; Mountain Crest, 2004-present)
19) 147 – Gean Plaga (West, 1967-84)
20) 145 – Jerre Holmes (Ben Lomond, 1989-90; Rich, 1991-99; North Summit, 2000-10)

All-time by Winning Percentage (min. 10 years)
1) .824 – Monty Lee (San Juan, 2003-present)
2) .804 – Ken Schmidt (Skyline, 1968-79)
3) .801 – Taft Watts (Millard, 1943-63)
4) .786 – Lew Monsen (Millard, 1973-83)
5) .779 – Chad Van Orden (Timpview, 1990-2004)
6) .770 – Dunn “Snyde” Taylor (Millard, 1933; Jordan, 1935-49)
7) .762 – Udall Westover (Orem, 1954-68)
8) .754 – Gean Plaga (West, 1967-84)
9) .745 – Walter Brooks (Dixie, 1949-74)
10) .732 – Ray Hosner (Pine View, 2001-present)
11) .732 – Lynn Freestone (Brighton, 1988-98)
12) .729 – Roger DuPaix (Highland, 1977-85; Skyline, 1986-2011)
13) .726 – Marshall Sheriff (Millard, 2000-present)
14) .724 – Al Marshall (Beaver, 1963-88; Millard, 1992-94)
15) .718 – Earl Ferguson (Box Elder, 1921-59)
16) .712 – Don Mower (American Fork, 1960-68)
17) .711 – Renn Hoopes (Morgan, 1997-2006)
18) .706 – Cole Meacham (Manti, 2000-present)
19) .701 – Mike Favero (Logan, 1999-present)
20) .699 – Arlyn Hafen (Kanab, 1965-93)

Active Coaches – by Victories (min. 5 years)
1) 220 – Larry Wall (Bountiful, 1985-present)
2) 179 – John Colosimo (Judge, 1985-96; Juan Diego 2000-present)
3) 170 – Blaine Monkres (Morgan, 1990-93; Fremont, 1994-2007; Dixie, 2008-present)
4) 159 – Dave Peck (North Sanpete, 1984; Cyprus, 1995-99; Bingham, 2000-present)
5) 156 – Jimmy Jones (Emery, 1985-2002, 2006-present)
6) 155 – Todd Peacock (East Carbon, 1987; North Sanpete, 1988-90; Cedar, 1991-present)
7) 148 – Mark Wootton (North Sanpete, 1991-2003; Mountain Crest, 2004-present)
8) 124 – Mike Favero (Logan, 1999-present)
9) 117 – Mike Bowring (Monticello, 1997-2003; Juab, 2004-present)
10) 111 – Marshall Sheriff (Millard, 2000-present)
11) 107 – Ryan Bishop (Bear River, 1998-2000; Davis, 2001-present)
12) 105 – Mike Miller (Olympus 1998-2003; Riverton, 2004-present)
13) 104 – Ray Hosner (Pine View, 2001-present)
14) 103 – Cole Meacham (Manti, 2000-present)
15) 101 – Fred Fernandes (Northridge, 1996-2003; Woods Cross, 2007-10; Roy, 2011-present)
16) 98 – Monty Lee (San Juan, 2003-present)
17) 95 – Ashley Brown (Rich, 2000-present)
18) 87 – Les Hamilton (Grantsville, 2003-04; Alta, 2005-10; Hunter, 2011; Pl Grove, 2012-present)
19) 86 – Chris Homer (Hurricane, 2002-present)
20) 80 – Kory Bosgieter (Weber, 1994-2002; Fremont, 2008-present)
80 – Bucky Orton (Kanab, 2003-present)

Active Coaches – by Winning Percentage (min. 5 years)
1) .824 – Monty Lee (San Juan, 2003-present)
2) .767 – Jerry Cowan (Duchense, 2003-07, 2012-present)
3) .732 – Ray Hosner (Pine View, 2001-present)
4) .726 – Marshall Sheriff (Millard, 2000-present)
5) .706 – Cole Meacham (Manti, 2000-present)
6) .697 – Mike Favero (Logan, 1999-present)
7) .697 – Dave Peck (North Sanpete, 1984; Cyprus, 1995-99; Bingham, 2000-present)
8) .692 – Brody Benson (Highland, 2006-present)
9) .687 – Brandon Matich (Park City, 2005-09; East 2010-present)
10) .679 – Larry Wall (Bountiful, 1985-present)
11) .674 – Les Hamilton (Grantsville, 2003-04; Alta, 2005-10; Hunter, 2011; Pl Grove, 2012-present)
12) .671 – Aaron Whitehead (East, 2003-07; Olympus 2011-present)
13) .667 – Bucky Orton (Kanab, 2003-present)
14) .660 – Fred Fernandes (Northridge, 1996-2003; Woods Cross, 2007-10; Roy, 2011-present)
15) .658 – Kovi Christiansen (Morgan, 2007-present)
16) .654 – Blaine Monkres (Morgan, 1990-93; Fremont, 1994-2007; Dixie, 2008-present)
17) .647 – Chris Homer (Hurricane, 2002-present)
18) .643 – Mike Bowring (Monticello, 1997-2003; Juab, 2004-present)
19) .633 – Ashley Brown (Rich, 2000-present)
20) .633 – John Colosimo (Judge, 1985-96; Juan Diego 2000-present)

School-record Performances
Two lists highlight the single-game passing and rushing record for each school currently playing football, as long as a player has passed for at least 350 yards or rushed for at least 250.

School-record Single-game Passing Yards (min. 350 yards)
Alta – 393, Chipper Lucero, 9/14/2012 vs. Jordan
American Fork – 388, Jacen Condie, 8/23/2013 vs. Brighton
Bear River – 492, JarDee Nessen, 9/13/2013 vs. Tooele
Bonneville – 396, Kelly Cooper, 10/17/1996 vs. Clearfield
Box Elder – 357, Britton Gunter, 10/3/2010 vs. Bear River
Carbon – 365, J. D. Jorgensen, 10/4/1996 vs. Park City
Cedar – 359, Jeff Oliverson, 9/4/1999 vs. Uintah
Copper Hills – 505, Dan Wilson, 8/27/2010 vs. Box Elder
Cottonwood – 482, Cooper Bateman, 9/2/2011 vs. Brighton
Dixie – 432, Blake Barney, 9/30/2011 vs. Canyon View
Duchesne – 364, Cameron Flint, 11/4/1995 vs. Altamont
Emery – 415, Ryan Stilson, 9/29/1989 vs. Carbon
Enterprise – 389, Slade Moyle, 9/17/2010 vs. South Sevier
Fremont – 388, Olin Hannum, 8/24/1995 vs. Skyline
Hillcrest – 538, Brad Leggat, 8/31/2001 vs. Hillcrest
Jordan – 495, Alex Hart, 8/21/2009 vs. Northridge
Juab –363, Jeff Rowley, 10/5/2012 vs. Payson
Layton – 401, Kyle Bubak, 9/30/2005 vs. Northridge
Lehi – 402, Kinloch Gray, 9/10/2010 vs. Timpanogos
Logan – 499, Tyler Stevens, 9/30/2009 vs. Judge Memorial
Lone Peak –381, Chase Hansen, 9/29/2011 vs. Bingham
Millard – 420, Kyle Allen, 10/22/1998 vs. Beaver
Monument Valley – 493, Lawrence Atine, 9/1/2011 vs. Newcomb (N.M)
Mountain Crest – 481, Ryan Zimmerman, 11/1/2002 vs. Cyprus
Mountain View – 424, Casey Rehrer, 10/1/1999 vs. Hillcrest
Murray – 353, Shay Wyatt, 10/15/1987 vs. West
North Sanpete – 352, Rhett Bird, 10/8/2010 vs. Manti
North Sevier – 450, Tyrel Torgerson, 10/19/2005 vs. South Summit
Northridge – 513, T.J. Canales, 11/5/2004 vs. Skyline and Nate Kusuda, 8/23/2013 vs. Logan
Ogden – 469, Nik Allred, 8/21/2009 vs. Murray
Olympus – 471, Lance Rice, 10/4/1995 vs. Tooele
Orem – 420, Taylor Camp, 9/9/2011 vs. Provo
Park City – 386, Heath Vincent, 9/30/2011 vs. Uintah
Payson – 483, Devan Judd, 8/26/2011 vs. Salem Hills
Pine View – 489, Alec Mecham, 11/6/2010 vs. Highland
Pleasant Grove – 362, Michael Anderson, 8/17/2012 vs. Kearns
Provo – 418, Chad Nichols, 10/7/1998 vs. Snow Canyon
Richfield –377, Kenny Munk, 9/18/1981 vs. South Sevier
San Juan – 392, Farley Crofts, 10/12/2001 vs. Grand County
Sky View – 406, Jase Hill, 10/11/2006 vs. Bountiful
South Sevier – 351, Carson Christensen, 10/24/2003 vs. North Sevier
Spanish Fork – 486, Breck Lewis, 10/31/2008 vs. Jordan
Springville – 440, Steve Bate, 8/19/2011 vs. Dixie
Timpanogos – 458, Christian Stewart, 9/21/2007 vs. American Fork
Timpview – 415, Danny Southwick, 9/30/1999 vs. Springville
Uintah – 370, Braxton Coonis, 8/30/2013 vs. Green River, (Wyo.)
Union – 424, Rhen Richard, 11/9/2007 vs. Judge Memorial
Viewmont – 356, Jeff Meservy, 9/9/1983 vs. Skyline
Wasatch – 442, James Delacenserie, 9/14/2012 vs. North Sanpete
West Jordan – 523, Adam Boelter, 10/14/2009 vs. Payson
Westlake – 403, John Ursua, 9/11/2009 vs. Provo
Woods Cross – 407, Jordan Johnson, 10/15/2003 vs. East

School-record Single-game Net Rushing Yards (min. 250 yards)
Alta – 279, Tony Nielsen, 10/8/1997 vs. Mountain View
Altamont – 451, Kyle Foy, 10/14/2011 vs. Milford
American Fork – 286, Robert Edwards, 10/5/1983 vs. Mountain Crest
Bear River – 332, Sven Nelson, 10/15/1999 vs. Tooele
Beaver – 335, Kelly Smith, 9/28/1979 vs. Hurricane
Ben Lomond – 252, Emmett White, 9/26/1997 vs. Granite
Bingham – 340, Ben Edstrom, 11/5/1999 vs. Mountain View
Bountiful – 291, Jakob Hunt, 10/26/2012 vs. Skyline
Box Elder – 287, Phil Heywood, 11/17/1995 vs. East
Brighton – 338, Mike Hague, 9/2/2005 vs. Clearfield
Canyon View – 361, Austin Minefee, 9/1/2006 vs. Millard
Carbon – 341, Jamal Lewis, 9/6/2002 vs. Uintah
Cedar – 265, John Ursua, 10/28/2011 vs. Judge Memorial
Copper Hills – 267, Robert Smales, 10/15/1999 vs. Riverton
Cottonwood – 253, Nadan Hosea, 9/24/2010 vs. Skyline
Cyprus – 311, Henna Brown, 10/7/2005 vs. West
Davis – 275, Victor Castellano, 11/15/1974 vs. Bingham
Dixie – 276, Nate Carter, 10/20/2006 vs. Snow Canyon
Delta – 278, Adam Little, 10/16/1997 vs. North Sanpete
Duchesne – 288, Braiden Despain, 9/24/2010 vs. Layton Christian
East – 325, Asi Tuakoi, 9/5/2003 vs. Granger
Emery – 302, Taylor Cox, 9/11/2009 vs. Carbon
Enterprise – 306, Tyler Banks, 9/22/2000 vs. Parowan
Grand County – 314, Merrill Noyes, 10/3/1975 vs. San Juan
Granger – 326, Fahu Tahi, 11/7/1997 vs. Northridge
Grantsville – 294, Alan Mouritsen, 11/15/1997 vs. San Juan
Highland – 290, Jon Rogers, 9/28/1973 vs. Cottonwood
Hunter – 291, Lu’ua Tanuvasa, 9/30/2009 vs. Murray
Hurricane – 302, Ryan Christiansen, 10/23/1992 vs. Millard
Jordan – 323, Sia Viavaka, 9/19/1997 vs. Woods Cross
Juan Diego – 264, Terrel Bell, 9/26/2003 vs. Juab
Judge Memorial – 263, Samui Tuifua, 9/26/2003 vs. Granite
Kearns – 285, Neal Carsey, 9/20/1974 vs. Provo
Layton – 282, Curtis Page, 10/1/1976 vs. Ben Lomond
Layton Christian – 269, Henri Jussila, 9/3/2010 vs. Gunnison
Lehi – 347, Caden Calton, 9/6/2013 vs. Pine View
Logan – 296, Ryan Bohm, 10/18/2001 vs. Roy
Lone Peak – 256, Chase Hansen, 8/28/2010 vs. Mountain Crest
Manti – 315, Curren Christensen, 10/12/2001 vs. South Summit
Maple Mountain – 254, Cameron Carson, 10/13/2011 vs. Orem
Milford – 262, Jared Barnes, 10/21/1993 vs. Duchesne
Millard – 266, Phillip Tuttle, 8/31/2001 vs. Beaver
Monticello – 343, Devin Wright, 10/22/2010 vs. Milford
Morgan – 434, Kent Phillips, 10/24/1958 vs. Park City
Mountain Crest – 327, Brad Bybee, 9/8/2006 vs. Roy
Mountain View – 329, James Emerson, 9/18/2009 vs. Mountain View
Murray – 310, Casey Davies, 11/3/1995 vs. Box Elder
North Sanpete – 294, Tyson Church, 9/30/2005 vs. Juan Diego
North Summit – 302, Curtis Louder, 10/15/2003 vs. South Sevier
Olympus – 337, Paul Peterson, 9/2/1994 vs. Northridge
Park City – 360, Mike Richardson, 11/1/1968 vs. Union
Payson – 279, Cliff Christensen, 10/27/1978 vs. Provo
Pine View – 348, Prentiss Miller, 9/28/2012 vs. Hurricane
Pleasant Grove – 301, Tom Duvall, 11/4/1966 vs. Springville
Provo – 299, Ed Rowe, 10/20/1983 vs. Uintah
Rich – 303, Justin Groll, 11/8/1991 vs. Milford
Richfield – 310, Bob Biddy, 10/13/1972 vs. North Sevier
Roy – 272, Fred Fernandes, 9/15/1978 vs. Sky View
Salem Hills – 257, Josh Adams, 8/21/2009 vs. Orem
San Juan – 295, Jimmy Jones, 8/26/1977 vs. Delta
Skyline – 302, Leka Moeaki, 10/8/2004 vs. Cottonwood
Snow Canyon – 337, Kyle Coop, 8/27/2004 vs. Payson
South Sevier – 274, Bryan Castle, 9/8/2000 vs. Enterprise
Spanish Fork – 273, Christian Taele, 9/16/2011 vs. Judge Memorial
Springville – 370, Marcus Case, 8/20/2010 vs. Dixie
Timpview – 312, Ryan Horne, 9/22/1995 vs. Spanish Fork
Uintah – 250, David Lawson, 10/19/1995 vs. Park City
Union – 256, Matt Labrum, 10/6/1989 vs. Uintah
Viewmont – 277, Blake Hills, 9/30/1988 vs. East
Wasatch – 315, Ryan Van Roosendall, 9/4/1999 vs. North Sanpete
West – 303, Anetipa Vaisagano, 9/24/2010 vs. Cyprus
West Jordan – 286, Nick Whatcott, 10/16/1998 vs. Copper Hills
Woods Cross – 423, Kitt Rawlings, 10/19/1989 vs. Bountiful

See you on the sidelines!

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