After a tough start to the year, the Jaguars have hit their stride. 

West Jordan went 1-2 in non-league play, falling 38-14 to Riverton on Aug. 14 and 30-0 to Alta on Aug. 29. However, West Jordan defeated its rival, Copper Hills, on Aug. 22 by the score of 29-27 and then won its first two Region 4 contests, both in lopsided fashion. 

“Our team has set some lofty goals: win the battle of West Jordan with Copper Hills, win our region, have two playoff games at home and get to the U of U [for the Class 5A state semifinals],” head coach Ronald Halbert said. “We are very excited this year. Our team and coaches have put a lot of work in.”

Heading into the season, Halbert said the players lifted weights four days a week and “had a great padded camp.” He said the team also avoided injuries in preseason camp and entered the season healthy and hungry. 

The goal of reaching the state semifinals may seem ambitious, but Halbert believes he has the players to accomplish it. The state semifinals and finals will be held at University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, which is 12 miles away from West Jordan High School. The motto “12 miles” rings through the Jaguars’ program as a reminder of where the team wants to be. 

Halbert knows that getting there won’t be easy and won’t come without dedication, focus, resilience and playing as a team. 

“In order to achieve our goals, we need to keep working hard, believe in each other, stay healthy and be focused on the 12 miles,” he said. 

West Jordan has been dominant since Region 4 action kicked off. 

The Jaguars had little trouble in any of these matchups, beginning with a 45-6 blowout of Taylorsville on Sept. 5. West Jordan was up 21-3 at halftime and 31-3 after three quarters. A pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns lengthened the deficit. Cody Johnson rushed for 74 yards and had 47 more yards receiving. Jayden Giles hauled in a 78-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Demke. 

A week later, West Jordan took down Cyprus 38-7, not giving up any points after the first quarter. The Jaguars scored 24 points in the second quarter alone. Two scores came courtesy of quarterback Ayden Dunn, who threw touchdown passes of 80 and 30 yards to Porter Creasy. 

Region play has showcased West Jordan’s biggest asset: speed. 

“I believe our strength is team speed,” Halbert said. “We also have come together as a team and are working on the 12 Miles. We need to stay healthy and keep believing.”

Challenges lie ahead of the Jaguars. 

Following its win over Cyprus, West Jordan had five games remaining, including what could be a first-place showdown at West on Oct. 3. On Oct. 17, the Jaguars host Granger to wrap up the regular season. The state tournament starts the following week. 

Halbert said the players have positive attitudes and love to compete. He has no reason to believe the Jaguars won’t continue its hot play in region games. 

“These young men every day work each other out on the practice field,” he said. “We sometimes have to reign them in. They love to hit and get after it.”

Numerous players have caught Halbert’s attention this season. 

Halbert said Dunn, a senior, has been a “great leader.” He has impressed with his throwing ability and speed. Creasy is a three-year starter and a first-team All-Region performer a year ago. The senior is another speedy component in the offense. Creasy had five catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns heading into the Cyprus game. 

Running backs Cody Johnson, a senior, and Scooby Tulau, a sophomore, have been key contributors. Johnson, a shifty back who also plays safety, was a first-team All-Region player in 2024. Tulau was injured as a freshman but, according to Halbert, “would have started all season.” Johnson had 37 carries for 262 yards and two touchdowns in the first four games. Tulau has made a mark on defense, totaling 62 tackles, a sack and an interception in the first four games. 

Wide receiver Julian Valenzuela had 10 catches for 197 yards and a score in the first four contests. Anthony Fale, a senior, was an All-Region wide receiver last season and was also Honorable Mention All-State. Giles had made his presence known this season too on the offensive side of the ball. Other wide receivers to keep any eye on are Briggs Jones and Boston Dean. 

“[Valenzuela] has great hands and works every day to improve,” Halbert said. “[Jones] worked hard in the offseason, [Dean] could be amazing.”

Linemen Paula Havea, Mason Tavita, Matt Boone, Ami Toutai and Porter Jones are tough, hardworking players. Some of these players regularly see action on both sides fo the ball. 

Briggs Jones has been solid at safety and also plays wide receiver. Daryen Misionare is someone Halbert calls a “great cover guy” and who has “worked hard in the classroom and weightroom. Halbert also likes LA Moala and Anthony Fale. Bishop Lolohea, a second-team All-Region lineman in 2024 does a good job of protecting the quarterback’s blind side. It also helps to have a solid placekicker, and the Jaguars have that in Aaron Hunt, a first-team All-Region competitor last season. 

“[Hunt] can be a game changer with his field goal capabilities,” Halbert said. 

The Jaguars won Region 4 last season, going 5-0. The team has won eight consecutive league games.