Utah’s HS club season is down to one more weekend, as four teams play in the semis in Friday evening, and the final on Saturday. 

The West Valley Warriors clash with Orem in a game that appears to be ready to confirm what the Warriors have been saying all along - that they’re good. Orem has produced some impressive results this season, but they lost to West Valley 31-5 in March. They might point to a close 31-25 loss to United three weeks ago as an indication that they’re improving.

United, meanwhile, has a date with Wasatch. While Wasatch has done 5-0 in Uinta conference play, they have lost a game - 36-14 in a non-league matchup with Orem in March. United has lost to Herriman, West Valley, and Snow Canyon, but Head Coach Colin Puriri isn’t too worried about those results.

“There’s no panic in us in losing a game or two,” said Puriri. “They were all by two or three points. We had multiple opportunities to put those teams away. We know what our potential is, and we know that if we execute a bit better we will play well enough to win.”

Puriri said his team feels confident and that recent preparation has been good.

“We’ve been making improvements,” said Puriri. 

The United team is led by backs Darian Power and Ben Webber, but more players have emerged. Dustin Tafoya is a hard-running No. 8 who is coming into form t the right time. Unfortunately, his brother, Brandon, won’t play this weekend due to a concussion. And also in the back row, flanker Bailey Wilson is the first 9th-grader to ever start for United. Born in Australia, Wilson played with the Orlando program before moving to Utah, and his experience at a young age has seen him get significant time. But he’s been learning, as well, as has the rest of the United team.

Friday will be a significant test for all four squads. It looks as if United and West Valley will make it to the final … but there are no guarantees.