The 5A state tournament delivered a day of high drama on Friday, with quarterfinal action that had everything from early leads to overtime heroics. Here's how the top teams punched their tickets to the semifinals at Zions Bank Stadium.
Maple Mountain 5, Salem Hills 3
No. 6 Maple Mountain came out firing, building a commanding 4-0 lead in the first half thanks to a pair of goals each from Nathan Pineda and Trey Bess. Salem Hills refused to go quietly, with Brooks Barker scoring all three of his team's goals, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. The Golden Eagles now advance to face No. 7 Hillcrest in a semifinal matchup that promises plenty of intensity.
Hillcrest 3, Pleasant Grove 2 (OT)
In the most thrilling game of the day, Hillcrest's Jeter Pugh became the hero with a direct free kick goal in overtime to lift the No. 7 seed past No. 2 Pleasant Grove. Pugh finished with two goals on the day, while Carlos Leon also found the back of the net thanks to an assist from Weston Allen. Pleasant Grove's Maximo Olmos and Sam Clark kept things close, but Hillcrest's resilience carried the day. The Huskies will now look to keep their Cinderella run alive against Maple Mountain.
Alta 2, Skyline 1
Top-seeded Alta showed why they're the team to beat, with Beckham Butler's 68th-minute goal breaking a 1-1 deadlock. Madden McCallister had given the Hawks an early lead in the 23rd minute, but Skyline's Parker Loosli equalized just before halftime. Alta's defense tightened up in the second half, setting up a semifinal clash with No. 5 Bountiful.
Bountiful 2, Granger 0
The Redhawks turned in a masterclass in second-half soccer, with Pim DeJonge and Ezra Christiansen each finding the net to break open a scoreless game. Goalkeeper Jovany Lobato and the Bountiful defense were impenetrable, earning a clean sheet and setting up a semifinal showdown with Alta. It's a matchup of two teams that know how to win when it matters most.
With the semifinals set for Monday at Zions Bank Stadium, the stage is perfect for fans to see which teams have what it takes to chase a state title. Whether you're rooting for an underdog or a powerhouse, this year's 5A tournament is shaping up to be one for the ages.