The Orem Tigers triumphed over the Springville Red-Devils with an impressive score of 42-7 to secure their 10th state championship in program history. The victory was largely attributed to the exceptional performance of senior athlete Aisa Galea’i, who showcased his versatility by scoring touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams during the game held at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Galea’i initiated the scoring with a remarkable 60-yard touchdown run, setting the tone for the match. His momentum continued with a pivotal 78-yard interception return that extended Orem’s lead to 21-0 by halftime. Just moments after the break, Galea’i further demonstrated his prowess with a 96-yard kickoff return, pushing the score to 28-0 and effectively sealing the championship win for the Tigers.
Coach Lance Reynolds praised Galea’i’s all-around abilities, stating, “He can do anything we ask him to do. He runs it, catches it, returns it, and he’s great on defense; he’s just electric.” This sentiment was echoed by Galea’i himself, who expressed his joy after the game, saying, “I’m just really happy. To score in every phase and do it with my brothers, it means a lot. I just wanted to show I could trust them and they could trust me.”
Orem’s victory marks a significant turnaround from the previous season, where the team faced an early exit in the quarterfinals of the 5A playoffs. Reynolds emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, remarking that at halftime, he reminded his team not to repeat past mistakes. “We were up big earlier this year and took our foot off the gas,” he noted. “We didn’t want that again. I was proud of how we kept pushing.”
Reflecting on the season, Reynolds described it as one of the “most difficult, turbulent seasons” he has coached. He credited both his staff and players for their resilience, stating, “I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Tigers maintained control throughout the game, dominating the trenches and preventing the Red Devils from scoring in the first half. With Galea’i’s remarkable performance and the team’s strategic execution, Orem solidified its place in Utah high school football history once again.
