High school football: Granger continues to roll and captures long-awaited region crown

WEST VALLEY CITY – The Granger Lancers figured the 2023 football season could be a special one, and coach Pala Vaitu’u had his team start working toward it last December.

Off-field workouts and a dream that included matchups against Utah’s best high school squads were part of the Lancers’ inspiration, and they set a series of goals that included victories, a region title and more.

The Lancers may have reached their peak Wednesday night as quarterback Carson Su’esu’e threw four touchdown passes and the defense limited rival Hunter to 122 yards en route to a 56-0 victory in a Region 3 game.

With the win, Granger improved to 7-3 overall and won its first region crown since 1999. The Lancers may have lost to perennial powers Corner Canyon, Pleasant Grove and Weber, but dominated its region like no other, winning by an average score of 46-7. Su’esu’e is clearly the leading candidate to be the region’s MVP, but Vaitu’u believes it was a team effort that started after his staff adjusted its team’s defensive scheme after giving up 44 points to Pleasant Grove.

The Lancers allowed only two touchdowns in their last four games – one occurred in the final seconds of the first half and the other on the game’s last play with the Lancers comfortably ahead.

“This team has certainly peaked,” Vaitu’u said. “We worked really hard and the players come to play each night.”

One way Vaitu’u guarantees a big effort is by limiting his team’s roster. The Lancers have more players in in the program, but only 28 players suited up on this “Senior Night,” which drew a capacity crowd. Vaitu’u said he has never given more than 30 players a uniform on a given night and – so far – have suffered few injuries.

“The kids have to deserve it to get on the field,” he said. “They have to work hard in practice and show they want to be out there.”

About the only player with a guaranteed spot is Su’esu’e, the BYU signee who has thrown for 34 touchdowns. He guided the Lancers to scores in each of their seven first-half possessions. He put the finishing touch on Granger’s first drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.

Less than three minutes later, it was clear this was going to be a special night as Granger added two more scores, and Su’esu’e added a touchdown throw to Landon Figueroa and two to Johvian Key before the first half ended.

“The line did a great job, on both sides of the ball,” said Su’esu’e. “I had plenty of time to throw, and we just kept making plays.”

With a 49-0 lead, though, the Lancers couldn’t empty the bench because most of their bench was already on the field.

“Most of our kids play on offense, defense and also on special teams,” Vaitu’u said.

The second half was played with a running clock, due to the UHSAA’s 35-point “mercy rule,” but it was clear the outcome had already been decided.

Hunter never threatened to score. The Wolverines got inside Granger’s 20-yard line just once – and then quarterback Uluaki Taukiuvea was sacked on consecutive plays by a blitzing Q Tulau. Hunter finished with eight first downs – but almost half were by penalty – and fell to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in region.