Sports
Caveman athletes commit to colleges
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
Seventeen senior athletes from American Fork High School who have accepted offers to continue their playing careers at the next level in 10 sports were honored at a school ceremony on Feb. 4 in “The Cave.” All but four were on hand for the festivities.
The sports represented included baseball, boys basketball, girls and boys cross country, football, boys and girls golf, girls soccer, boys tennis and girls volleyball.
“One of the best parts of the signing event is seeing all of the coaches, teachers, friends and family who have supported these student athletes along their journeys,” said Principal Peter Glahn.
“It is such a significant achievement to be accepted into these collegiate programs, and it takes a village to get these kids to that level.”
The non-statistical information included below is excerpted from what was provided by the families of the players for the signing ceremony narration and is shown in quotation marks.
BASEBALL
Bode Gaggero, INF – Salt Lake Community College
Gaggero hit .409 last spring for the state champion Cavemen. He had 38 hits, 38 runs scored and 23 RBI with 10 hits for extra bases plus he stole successfully nine times. He tallied a 94 percent fielding percentage and also made six appearances on the bump, earning three saves.
“From an early age it was clear Bode had a passion for baseball. Bode has always been a hard worker, a great teammate and is very coachable. He enjoys high-level competition and loves to play the game with his teammates, win or lose. He has been a part of two AF state championships and is eager to win a third. He moved into the American Fork program from our rival team in eighth grade because he loves the Cavemen’s gritty style of baseball, the incredible coaching staff and the type of players that make up this successful program. He is grateful for the opportunity to play for Coach Ingersoll, Coach Johnson, Coach Holmstead, Coach Jeppson, Coach Mascaro and Coach Jones and all of the amazing teammates he has had the opportunity to share the field with. We cannot thank you all enough for the opportunity to play for the winningest program in the state of Utah.”
Kenny Johnson, 3B/RHP – Salt Lake Community College
In 12 appearances as a pitcher last year, Johnson was undefeated at 5-0 and also earned two saves. He batted .269 and more than half of his hits were doubles.
“From an early age, Kenny has always loved the game of baseball and being part of a team. Kenny couldn’t wait to get home from school to put on his jersey, wristbands, necklaces, sunglasses, arm sleeve, and anything else that was in style at the time. We are proud of the way you have always competed and your desire to get better. Overcoming some serious injuries your sophomore year shows your competitiveness and toughness that’s going to help you in life. As parents, we will always remember how you helped your team last year on its way to another state championship and earning 6A playoff MVP. Keep working hard, being a good teammate, and serving others.”
Cache Poulson, C/OF – Brigham Young University (Provo)
Poulson swung a big bat for the Cavemen last season, hitting .432 with 41 hits including nine for extra bases and 37 RBI. He was perfect as a fielder as well, recording 186 putouts, two assists and no errors.
“Cache’s experience as a student and baseball player at American Fork High School has shaped both the player and person he has become thanks to his teammates, coaches, teachers and the administration. He has been fortunate to be a 4-year varsity starter, win two state titles, soon to be a third, been awarded All-Valley, All-Region and All-State honors and recognized by the Deseret News as a member of Utah’s baseball Elite 9 and nominated for Utah’s Mr. Baseball. Cache has the unique ability to work. His work ethic isn’t in just working hard but doing it every day without needing or looking for recognition and a lot of times when people are not watching. His ability to balance life and baseball has also been important. His family, church, maintaining a 4.0 in the classroom and his friends have been his outlets away from the game. He wants to thank his family, coaches and teammates, whose trust, guidance and shared commitment pushed him to grow on and off the field.”
BOYS BASKETBALL
Bryce Mella, G – Utah State University (Logan)
Mella is averaging about 17 points, six rebounds and three assists per game for the Cavemen, who are one of the favorites in the 6A state title race this year. He has also made 22 triples and 24 steals.
“Bryce Mella is recognized as both a natural leader and versatile team player. Although he has scored over 1,300 points and accumulated 300 rebounds during his high school career, Bryce’s true ‘superpowers’ are his coachability and his rare ability to truly see people with kindness. Bryce is quick to credit his growth to the AFHS basketball community. He would like his fellow signees, teammates and coaches to know that success is shared. He feels a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to play basketball here, where he has gained a lifelong fellowship of brothers and the invaluable mentorship of Coach Cuff and the entire coaching staff. As he prepares for the opportunity to become an Aggie, he carries with him the lessons of hard work and determination.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Kayla Bushman – College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls)
“Kayla works hard in the classroom and on the track. Kayla has represented AFXC as a team captain for the past two years. She will focus on completing her associate’s degree at CSI prior to moving on to the next level. Kayla started running in junior high. She fell in love with the sport mainly because of her teammates and coaches, but also the feeling of accomplishment that comes with each workout and race. Kayla has loved running the past several years with her older sister Kenadee. Thank you to Coach Bruno for always pushing me to reach my goals and teaching me the importance of hard work. Thanks to coach Janae Richardson for believing in me and my potential.”
Kate Piccolo – Snow College (Ephraim)
“Ever since discovering a love for running in the seventh grade, Kate Piccolo has dedicated herself to hard work, consistency and determination. Despite having moments of injury and other health challenges, she has steadily progressed over the years, improving her cross-country 5K time from 27:30 to 19:53. In track, she has run 5:38 in the mile and 2:34 in the 800 meters. Kate was a team captain for the AFHS cross-country team in 2025. As a track athlete, she has twice earned a varsity letter and been part of two state championship teams. Kate has a 4.0 GPA and will complete eight AP courses by the time she graduates. She is excited to commit to Snow College for cross country and track and has a full academic scholarship.”
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Austin Plewe – Brigham Young University (Provo)
“Austin showed up to cross country practice the summer before his freshman year and after one week knew he had found his place. Over the last four years, Austin has traveled the country with the AF cross country and track program where his team finished second and fifth at Nike Cross Nationals. On the track he has been honored to be a Nike, New Balance and Running Lane All-American in the 800m, mile, and mile relays. Austin feels very blessed to have the opportunity to run at BYU after he returns from an LDS mission. Austin’s greatest memories of running in high school are the work ethic he has learned from Coach Timo and the friends he has made on his team and from other teams in the state and throughout the country.”
FOOTBALL
Octavious Luna, WR (6-2, 195) – Ogden Jets
The Ogden Jets, one of Utah’s first private teams, are committed to helping post-high school players develop academically, athletically, and physically so they can reach their ultimate goal: playing major college football.
“Your athletic drive has always wowed those around you and you have been known for your big smile. But what you should be most proud of isn’t just your athletic talent or the way you can turn a room around with your fun spirit, it’s the strength you’ve shown through challenges, the genuine care you give to others, and the grit that pushes you forward. You have shown resilience and leadership in challenging times. Continue to live your days with integrity, trusting in Christ to complete the work he has started in you. The next opportunity is ready for you.”
Jaybian Na’a, NG/DT (6-2, 280) – Utah Tech University (St. George)
Na’a tallied 16 solo and 25 assisted tackles including 5.5 tackles for a loss (2.5 sacks) with two fumbles caused and one recovered during last year’s fall campaign. The Trailblazers played in the Western Athletic Conference under Coach Lance Anderson this season, but the school will be joining the Big Sky Conference in 2026.
Dyson Richards, TE/WR (6-5, 220) – Weber State University (Ogden)
Richards collected 33 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns this season with 25 catches for 276 yards as a junior. The Wildcats earned a 4-8 record this year and were 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference, which competes in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision with ESPN+ as their broadcast partner.
Carson Thorne, T/DT (6-5, 280) – Utah State University (Logan)
“Carson loves football. He has a competitive drive to do his best. Carson has loved his time with American Fork football. It has shaped who he is and who he wants to be. The opportunity to represent himself, his family, his coaches and the Caveman football program is an honor and has helped elevate him every day. He has thrived in leading himself and his teammates to get better. As a junior, Carson received All-Region honorable mention. As a senior, Carson received first team All-Region and second team All-State. Watching Carson be challenged and work for what he loves has been an amazing experience. It is impossible to show his deep gratitude to the training staff, Garrett, his coaches and his teammates. He loves them and is grateful for them. They will forever be his Caveman football family. He is grateful for his parents and his family, and recognizes that none of this would be possible without their support. Carson will continue to strive for greatness every single day and looks forward to meeting challenges head on. He is excited for what the future holds and cannot wait to get back on the football field.”
GIRLS GOLF
Tyler Dunkley – Hastings College (NB)
“Tyler is able to go to school there and golf because of her hard work and ‘all in’ approach to all aspects of her life. Everything Tyler does is 100 percent and it shows in her accomplishments. Tyler started relatively late to the sport of golf. She was a very gifted distance runner but due to injury she had to trade the spikes for clubs and she never looked back. Some of her accomplishments include: Jr PGA and US Kids golf league top 5 finishers all seasons competed and captain and varsity golfer for all three seasons she’s competed for the Cavemen. Off of the course she also excels, as a continuous 4.0 student taking multiple AP and concurrent college courses. We can’t wait to watch this special girl’s next chapter in life as a collegiate student, athlete, and leader. Tyler would like to thank her coaches, friends, and family for the love and support she has received.”
BOYS GOLF
Jack Davis – South Mountain Community College (Phoenix AZ)
Davis led his team all season this past fall, tying for 10th place in the individual medalist standings at the 6A state tournament, leading his team which finished fifth after nearly missing the cut the first day to continue in the tournament. He earned third place in the Region 3 medalist race.
GIRLS SOCCER
Julie Huddleston, MF – Snow College (Ephraim)
“Julie is outstanding on and off the field. She has played soccer with Celtic for 11 years and all four years of high school with AFHS. On both teams she has played down the spine of the field as center back, 6, 10 and 9. She has been called the “best 6 in the state” by her coaches and has been invited to a Youth National Team recruiting event. Her sophomore year she scored 10 goals for American Fork, helping them finish second in the state. As a defensive player she was an offensive force as she would come in clutch assisting and scoring. She has been an athletic leader on the soccer team as a player and as a captain. As a student she has a 4.0 and has taken 10 AP and honors classes. She is fluent in French and has been the French Student of the Month. She serves the school community as a member of the Seminary Committee. Snow is very lucky to sign someone of Julie’s caliber.”
Stori Jones, D – Weber State University (Ogden)
“Stori is the only girl with three brothers, and growing up alongside them has made her strong, resilient and fearless. She learned early how to stand her ground and defend herself, qualities that now define her both on and off the field. She came to soccer later than most, but once she found the game, she fell in love. As a center back, she chooses the position with the most action, where toughness, leadership, and heart matter most. She plays club soccer for Celtic in the GA League and gives everything she has to the game. At just 14 years old, Stori tore her ACL and was forced to sit out an entire year. That injury became one of her greatest teachers. Through hard work, patience, and determination, she fought her way back to the field, emerging mentally tougher and more driven than ever.”
BOYS TENNIS
Braeden Johnson – Brigham Young University (Provo)
This past spring, Johnson was the top-ranked player in the 6A classification and earned the gold medal as the No. 1 Singles bracket champion, helping to lead his team to the 6A state championship over Lone Peak.
In the title match, he faced off against senior defending state champion and No. 2 seed Calvin Armstrong of Skyridge. Armstrong easily won the first set 6-2, so Johnson had to come from behind to earn his gold medal. He proved equal to the task, securing the final two sets 6-4, 6-3.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Halle Smith, L/DS – Snow College (Ephraim)
Smith had an outstanding senior season for the Cavemen, contributing 339 digs, 79 assists and 423 serve-receives. She also had 11 kills and 32 aces with a serving percentage of 93.
“Halle has absolutely loved playing volleyball for American fork. She was named to the first team All-Region, received the Academic All-State award as well as receiving the first ‘Cavemen standard’ award from her coach. She will take so many amazing memories with her of the fun times with her teammates and the time and dedication of her many coaches over the last four years. She wouldn’t be here without their support. She is thrilled to be able to play at Snow College this fall and looks forward to creating more memories. Halle is a blast to be around, so happy and a friend to all. She is a born leader and a dedicated player and we can’t wait to see her excel in this next phase of life.”
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
The American Fork High School girls volleyball team posted three wins and two losses in the past two weeks. The Cavemen are in third place in Region 3 with a 3-3 mark and their overall record is 11-10. They are currently No. 5 in the Class 6A rankings.
Sept. 15: American Fork 3, Lone Peak 0
The Cavemen swept the Knights on the road 25-20, 25-21, 25-20. Senior outside hitter Macy Melville led the effort with 12 kills and 15 digs. Freshman middle blocker Alexis Brant added nine kills and senior outside hitter Destinie Hampton supplied eight kills, 10 digs and 13 serve-receives.
Senior setter Brynn Murray served four aces and dished out 32 assists. Junior setter Eleni Lisonbee also had four aces with 10 digs. Junior middle blocker Daci Roberts had four combined blocks while sophomore libero Calla Pranger took 30 serve-receives.
Sept. 17: American Fork 3, Lehi 1
The Cavemen dropped a close first set to the Pioneers 25-23, but American Fork rallied after that to take control of the match and closed it out 25-15, 25-17, 25-13. Hampton was the top hitter of the night with 17 kills while Melville had 10 along with five aces, 10 digs and 14 serve-receives.
Brant added six kills and three aces. Murray served for seven aces to go with 10 digs and 30 assists. Roberts had three kills and five block-assists. Lisonbee laid down four aces with 10 digs. Pranger had 21 serve-receives.
Sept. 23: Skyridge 3, American Fork 0
The powerful Falcons topped the Cavemen in straight sets 25-18, 25-15, 25-19. Hampton finished with 10 kills, 11 digs and 21 serve-receives in a productive outing for her. Melville contributed eight kills, two solo blocks and 15 digs.
Murray added 12 digs and 21 assists while senior libero Taanii Fielding dug 14 times and took 11 serve-receives. Junior opposite Alivia Lemon posted five kills.
Sept. 29: Corner Canyon 3, American Fork 0
The Cavemen had the same trouble as everyone else against the top-ranked Chargers, falling in three games at Corner Canyon 25-17, 25-13, 25-19. Melville was the kills leader with seven and also provided seven digs and 15 serve-receives.
Hampton garnered six kills with seven digs and 25 serve-receives. Murray served three aces with 17 assists and Pranger took 11 serve-receives.
Oct. 1: American Fork 3, Lone Peak 2
The Cavemen encountered stiffer resistance when they hosted the Knights in their second-round match, but American Fork managed to prevail in a marathon 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 19-25, 15-11. Melville paced the offense with 24 kills and three aces along with 19 digs and 28 serve-receives.
Hampton hammered 13 kills and took 23 serve-receives. Lemon registered five kills and three combined blocks. Murray served seven aces, dug 15 times and supplied 35 assists. Pranger added 11 digs and 23 serve-receives while Lisonbee also posted 11 digs.
The Cavemen conclude the Region 3 schedule by visiting Lehi on Tuesday (Oct. 6) and Skyridge on October 20. They will also play non-league home matches against Syracuse on Thursday (Oct. 8) and West on October 22 as additional tune-ups for the state tournament. Varsity matches begin around 6:30 p.m.
CHASE HEJNY
GRADE: 11
SPORT: Cross Country
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Chase was third at the UIAAA Cross Country Invitational (14:58 for 5K), and second overall at the Timpanogos Cross Country Invitational (14:52 for 3.01 miles). He won the Varsity No. 1 race at the Wahsatch Rendezvous and was also the gold medalist at the TwiKnight Invitational with a mark of 14:50.52. He has led his team to wins at all four events.
COACH’S COMMENTS:
Chase has had a great summer and is progressing through our competitive season with a series of stellar races.
– Coach Timo Mostert
Sponsored by Axio Wealth Management.
SARAH WATSON
GRADE: 11
SPORT: Cross Country
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Sarah has been in the top eight at the first four major cross country races this season and has improved her time by dropping more than a minute from the best mark of her sophomore year.
COACH’S COMMENTS:
Her dedication and influence on the rest of her teammates have really made this team stronger and more competitive. At every practice she always gives it her best effort regardless of the workload.
– Coach Bruno Hunziker
Sponsored by Axio Wealth Management.
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
The American Fork High School girls tennis team entered the Region 3 tournament as the fourth seed and that’s how they finished the event at Skyridge High School on September 24 and 25.
In the first round, the Cavemen bested No. 5 Lehi 4-3. In the semifinal the next day, No. 1 Lone Peak eliminated American Fork 5-2.
On Thursday in No. 1 Singles, Caveman senior Sophia Leavitt topped Lehi senior Ella Gonzalez in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. However, the Pioneers rallied to win the remaining singles matches.
In Second Singles, junior Kinley Olson had to work hard to defeat senior Bella Harris in a marathon. The players traded set victories, with Olson winning the first set 6-2 and Harris taking the second by an identical 6-2 score. Olson prevailed in the third set 6-2 to close out the match in her favor.
In No. 3 Singles, sophomore Sahasya Sandepogu took on senior Claire Corbridge and managed a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The Fourth Singles bout saw Lehi sophomore Sophie Gonzalez best American Fork sophomore Lyla Wood 6-3, 6-1.
The results were reversed in the doubles brackets. In No. 1 Doubles, American Fork seniors Rylee Egbert and Demi Dalton comfortably outpaced seniors Liberty Salcido and Abigail Cox 6-3, 6-1.
In the Second Doubles bracket, Caveman seniors Bentley Christensen and Halie Andrews had to work a little harder to overcome senior Breckyn Holindrake and junior Claire Thatcher 6-3, 6-3.
The No. 3 Doubles duo of seniors Lacey Ernst and Macy Murdoch finished out American Fork’s narrow team win by topping senior Eden Waddell and junior Delaney Taylor 6-1, 6-4.
In the semifinal contest against Lone Peak on Friday, both Caveman victories came in the pairs competition. At No. 1 Doubles, Egbert and Dalton triumphed over the Knight duo of senior Ainsley Diederich and junior Eden Rasband 6-4, 6-4.
In No. 3 Doubles, Ernst and Murdoch played the most exciting match of the round, coming from behind to outlast Lone Peak juniors Maude Darby and Eliza Smith 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
The brackets for the 6A state tournament will be released on Thursday (Oct. 1). The first round will be played Saturday (Sept. 27) at Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights and the final four rounds will be played at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City next week on Oct. 2 and 4.
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
The American Fork boys golf team wrapped up the regular season by competing in the qualifier round of the Region 3 match play tournament, a pro-style event that does not count in any state standings.
The Cavemen played on September 24 against Skyridge to determine who would advance to the league semifinals. The teams ended in a tie, but the Falcons advanced with a scorecard playoff.
Sept. 21: Cavemen fourth at Riverbend
In the seventh and final Region 3 tournament of the regular season at the Riverbend Golf Course in Riverton, American Fork earned a combined team score of 293.
Lone Peak won the event with a 271 followed by Lehi at 276. Corner Canyon finished a distant third at 287 and Skyridge posted a 296. Due to the late start time, it was after dark before all the contestants finished.
American Fork senior Chad Douglass led his team with a four-under 68. Sophomore James Smith shot a 74 and senior Wes Brown carded a 75.
Three of their teammates tied at 76 for the other counted score: junior Landon Lieu, junior Cash Van Buren and junior Cade Henneman. Junior Ben Davis also competed in this event.
In the nine-hole JV round, freshman Will Zimmerman had the best score for the Cavemen with a 36 in that segment of the competition. The team came in third.
The final Region 3 tournament is set for Wednesday next week (Oct. 7) at the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course in Orem. The 6A State Tournament is scheduled for October 12 and 13 at Talons Cove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs.
Megan Wallgren / American Fork Citizen
The American Fork High School boys cross country team claimed the team title in a field of 31 programs at the TwiKnight Invitational cross country meet Friday (Sept. 25) at Mary and Art Dye Park. The Caveman boys top the DyeStat Southwest Regional XC rankings heading into the post-season.
The American Fork girls finished second out of 22 teams behind Lone Peak, the top-ranked girls team in the Southwest region. The Caveman girls are ranked fifth in the Southwest.
American Fork’s boys scored 52 points to edge second-place Lehi, which finished with 57 points. The Cavemen placed five runners among the top 24 finishers, ending with a 1:17.22 spread between the scoring group.
Junior Chase Hejny led American Fork, winning the individual title in 14:50.52. Junior David Webb followed in second place at 14:59.40, giving the Cavemen the top two individual finishers.
Sophomore Bennett Jensen finished 11th in 15:38.91, while junior Dax Jolley placed 14th with a time of 15:43.90. Sophomore Michael Jones rounded out the team’s scoring five, finishing 24th in 16:07.74.
Senior Trey Nielsen also ran varsity for the Cavemen, finishing in the top 30. He placed 29th with a time of 16:10.24.
The American Fork girls team tallied 64 points. The Cavemen placed their scoring runners in the top 23 and had a 1:22.59 spread among their top five finishers.
Senior Skye Jensen led American Fork with a fourth-place finish in 18:02.44. Junior Sarah Watson was fifth at 18:15.91, giving the Cavemen two runners inside the top five.
Senior Shay Smith finished 13th in 18:40.25, followed by sophomore Cali Dooley in 19th at 19:16.73. Junior Rebekah Jacob completed the scoring five with a 23rd-place finish in 19:25.03.
Senior Sophie Bahr finished 26th in 19:37.93, while junior Jane Sorenson placed 35th with a time of 19:58.40.
Photos by Sam Penrod.
Jennifer Thomas / American Fork Citizen
The American Fork football team edged out the Lone Peak Knights 28-24 on Thursday (Sept. 24) in a thrilling Region 3 showdown, powered by a game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds.
The rivalry matchup stayed close throughout the night, with both sides trading blows in a tense tactical battle. While Lone Peak’s defense stifled the run and kept pressure in the backfield for much of the contest, American Fork sophomore quarterback Jake Matsen unlocked the offense through the air.
Matsen repeatedly hurt the Knights with pinpoint long passes, connecting with star junior receiver Cash Taiese for three crucial touchdowns to keep the Cavemen within striking distance.
“Jake started a little slow, but man, I think we saw him grow up really fast throughout the span of those four quarters,” said American Fork head Coach Aaron Behm. “He played a good game.” Matsen completed 24-of-36 (67%) of his passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Lone Peak opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run by Pili Mounga. The Knights extended their lead in the second period with a field goal, putting the Cavemen in a 10-point deficit.
Lone Peak’s defense was stout, and it was hard for American Fork to gain yards and make chunk plays. They locked down the field, making it nearly impossible for the Caveman offense to move the chains or find any momentum.
However, sophomore defensive back Braden Litke managed to strip the ball from a Lone Peak receiver to give his team possession at midfield with just over a minute remaining until the break. A few plays later, Matsen hit Taiese with a 27-yard touchdown strike to cut the deficit to 10-7.
The energized Cavemen then quickly capitalized on a fumbled Lone Peak snap deep in Knight territory. With just 11 seconds left in the half, Matsen threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Taiese, stealing the lead at 14-10 right before heading to the locker room.
“It was a huge play for Braden to strip the ball and for Mason Peterson to recover the fumble,” said Behm. “Braden hasn’t received a lot of starts, but he gets it done when he’s in there and he definitely made a huge play for us tonight when we needed it.” Peterson also had eight tackles in the game.
Following the intermission, American Fork established its dominance on the gridiron, playing with a heightened sense of urgency and efficiency.
The Lone Peak defense used its size to push back, but the Cavemen found an answer when Matsen connected with senior tight end Christian Hanshaw for a 28-yard scoring completion, increasing their lead to 21-10. Hanshaw collected four receptions for 80 yards on the night.
“This game was two really good teams coming down to the wire and that’s high school football at it’s very best and we were very fortunate to come out on the winning side,” said Behm.
“We had some periods where we didn’t play well and the other side of the ball picked us up, but we got some turnovers to get some points on the board before halftime and that was a big deal,” continued the coach.
The dramatic fourth quarter proved challenging for the Cavemen. Costly mistakes opened the door for Lone Peak to punch in back-to-back touchdowns, shifting the lead once more and leaving the Cavemen down 21-24 with a mere 60 seconds left to play.
With the outcome at stake, a calm and confident Matsen marched the Cavemen down the field under intense pressure and capped off the drive with 19 seconds remaining by delivering a perfect 25-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Taiese.
Matsen leaned heavily on standout receiver Taiese in critical situations, showcasing their exceptional chemistry. Taiese finished the night with 10 catches for 119 yards and the three scores.
“Cash is a junior captain and he’s a leader. He’s been starting since he was a freshman. He played a great game,” said Behm. “Jake knew with the game on the line, he’s the guy to look for.”
“All I do is trust the guys,” said Matsen. “We have practiced this before and I just knew my boy Cash would get the ball on the one-on-one and pull away with the win.”
Despite facing a potent Knight offense, the well-coached Caveman defense held firm under pressure, executing critical stops throughout the game.
Led by stand-out performers senior defensive back Lincoln Miller (7 solo of 10 tackles), junior linebacker Ty Wilson (5 solo of 7 tackles) and senior lineman Dalin Afu (8 tackles), the defensive line collapsed the pocket on crucial third downs, preventing Lone Peak from fully sustaining their downfield momentum in the middle quarters.
A key interception by safety Noah Behm energized the entire defense at a critical moment in the game. “Noah’s pick helped us get into position where we could score and made a big difference to take the lead before the half,” said Coach Behm. Noah Behm also supplied four solo and nine total tackles.
The defining moment for the American Fork defense came down to the final second of the game. Following Matsen’s go-ahead touchdown pass, Lone Peak drove deep into Cavemen territory, executing one final desperate pass to the corner of the end zone with just 0:01 left on the clock.
A messy, physical struggle erupted at the pylon as American Fork’s secondary swarmed the receiver to block him from the end zone. The officials’ controversial goal-line ruling secured a dramatic win for the Cavemen as time expired, igniting fierce post-game replay debates.
Fans from both sides stormed the field at the same time to celebrate a win, overshadowing the game’s dramatic ending with pure chaos.
“I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t have been much farther from that sideline to see what happened over there, and with all the bodies flying around,” said Behm. “I never saw two hands go up. I only saw them spot the ball dead…Hopefully they got it right.”
“I am proud of how we pushed all the way through tonight,” said Matsen. “We had a rough start at the beginning but got things rolling.”
“I think the highlight for me was that it was a full team effort tonight. I’m really proud of the team and the memories that these guys will have of playing in this game this year. We knew it was going to be a four-quarter game. When we got to the fourth quarter they really responded well,” concluded Behm.
With the win, American Fork advances to 6-1 for the season. The Cavemen will host the Lehi Pioneers on Friday (Oct. 2) with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
The American Fork mountain biking team has been dominating Region 6 competition to this point in the season. The Cavemen scored 4670 points in the first race and 4578 points in a narrower win for the third event, with Pleasant Grove finishing second. Team scores were not posted for the middle event.
Junior Hallie Lunsford has been leading the charge for American Fork. She has won all three Varsity Girls races so far. On August 15 at Beaver, she finished in 1:09:22.83. She recorded a 45:12.18 mark at Gunnison on August 29 and followed that with a 1:17:22.34 at Eagle Mountain on September 12.
Junior Reed Evans has been the top performer for the Caveman in the Varsity Boys division. He finished 1.27 seconds behind the leader at Beaver in 1:19:26.61. He was third at Gunnison in 59:50.64 and second at Eagle Mountain in 1:30:55.47.
The other scoring riders at Beaver included senior Ryder Warnock (297), junior Austin Carr (293), junior Cannon Christiansen (291), junior Asher Anderson (290) and junior Jason Keller (289) in the Varsity Boys race and sophomore Kimball Gay (290), sophomore Jackson Packard (289), sophomore Benjamin Preece (288) and sophomore Austin Gunther (287) in the JV A Boys race.
In the girls division the other contributors included junior Norma Rockwell (295), senior Laura Jacobsen (293), junior Paige Lucas (291) and junior Dawsey Lauritzen (290) in Varsity plus Rickeisha O’Keefe (288) in JV A.
At the Gunnison event, additional scoring contributors included junior Baden Carr (297), Warnock (294), Christiansen (292), Anderson (291) and Austin Carr (290) in the Boys Varsity division, plus Gay (290), Packard (289), Gunther (287) and Preece (286) in JV A Boys.
In the girls races, Rockwell (294), Lauritzen (292), Lucas (291) and junior Ellie Teerlink (285) in the Varsity category provided additional points.
In Eagle Mountain, the other scoring riders were Anderson (297), Austin Carr (295), Warnock (294) and Baden Carr 290 from Varsity Boys plus Gay (290), Preece (288) and Packard (287) from JV A Boys.
Contributors from Girls Varsity included Rockwell 298, Jacobsen 295, Lucas 293, Lauritzen 289 and Teerlink 288. In addition, Girls JV A riders O’Keefe (288) and Adelia Olson (287) rounded out the team total.
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
A three-medal performance from Marsha Baird highlighted the USATF Utah showing at the World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships, contested August 22-September 3 in Daegu, South Korea.
Competing in the Women’s 50-54 division, Baird captured a pair of world titles, winning the Heptathlon with 5,479 points and helping Team USA to victory in the 4x100m Relay in 52.14 seconds.
She added a silver medal in the Javelin Throw with a mark of 36.69m to complete her three-medal championship performance and adding to her already long list of accomplishments in the sport.
Baird also recorded two additional top-five finishes, placing fifth in the Long Jump with a mark of 4.47m and fifth in the Shot Put at 11.75m.
“The part I loved most about World Masters Athletics in Korea is connecting with my friends from all over the world and making new connections,” Baird said. “Track and Field has always allowed me to connect with people; however, master’s is on a whole other level.
“As very mature adults, the connection is stronger and more genuine,” she said. “We care about the competition, but we seem to care about each other more. During competition there is a special camaraderie that takes place. The spirit of the games becomes US.”
Born in the tiny Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Baird started competing in the heptathlon upon her admission to Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) in 1993. Two years later, she transferred to Brigham Young University on an athletic scholarship and continued her career there.
While competing for the Cougars, Baird placed ninth in the heptathlon at the outdoor NCAA Championships and contributed to a runner-up finish for the women’s track and field team at the Western Athletic Conference meet in San Diego (CA) during her junior year.
After graduating from BYU with a master’s degree in social work, Baird began training with the goal of qualifying for an Olympic berth. In her first major global event, Baird claimed a silver medal in heptathlon at the 1998 Central American and Caribbean Games in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
On her Olympic debut in Sydney 2000, Baird became the first-ever athlete from Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the heptathlon, finishing 22nd with 5627 points. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, she finished 25th with a Trinidad and Tobago record total of 5962 points.
Baird was the national record holder for her country in the Javelin from 2000-2018. In August 2015, she competed in her first World Masters Championships in Lyon, France. She earned individual gold in the W40 heptathlon, javelin and long jump.
Dropping down an age group, she also anchored the victorious women’s over-35 4×100m relay squad which set a world record for their division in this event.
Baird has continued to compete on the Master’s circuit in both indoor and outdoor events, earning a pile of medals and setting new records in the W50-54 Heptathlon and Pentathlon in 2024.
Beky Beaton / American Fork Citizen
After dropping their first two Region 3 matches, the American Fork High School girls soccer team earned three victories in a row to move into second place behind undefeated Lone Peak in the league standings. With an overall record now of 11-3, the Cavemen are ranked at No. 3 in Class 6A and No. 7 statewide.
Sept. 15: American Fork 2, Corner Canyon 0
The Cavemen scored a goal in each half at home over the Chargers to get their first league win in a shutout. Sophomore forward Ivy Jacobson had both a goal and an assist in the contest.
She passed to senior midfielder Charlotte Anderson for the other score. Sophomore midfielder Claira Connors made the give to Jacobson.
Sept. 17: American Fork 2, Lehi 1
Playing at home again, the Cavemen survived a tough test against the Pioneers. American Fork found the net once in the first half and scored again in the second period. Lehi cut the deficit in half but were held out of the goal the rest of the way despite a determined attack.
Senior forward Cambree Ballard hit the target once and also assisted senior midfielder Suri Parsia as she scored the other goal.
Sept. 22: American Fork 4, Skyridge 0
The Cavemen flipped the script on the Falcons in a startling turnaround. After dropping their region opener to Skyridge 3-0, American Fork responded with an overwhelming victory behind the shutout from freshman goalkeeper Sofia Crowley between the pipes.
Junior midfielder Eva Gunn tallied a goal and an assist in the triumph. Connors and Parsia each found the net as well and Ballard contributed two gives in the effort. The Cavemen will complete Region 3 play with three road matches.
They visit Lone Peak on Tuesday (Sept. 29) at 3:30 p.m., then Corner Canyon on Thursday (Oct. 1) and Lehi on Oct. 6. Both of those final contests are set to kick off at 7 p.m.
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