As local preps reach mid-season, it is apparent that BYU was able to secure a few hidden gems that slipped under the recruiting radar. TJ Buchanan, Ben Bywater, Bentley Hanshaw, Jackson McChesney, Brandon Kaho, the Latu twins, and Tyler Katoa are all having big seasons and will likely continue to get scholarship attention despite early commitments to BYU (see season stats below).
In the games this week Jackson McCHesney (one of four Lone Peak commits) really took the spotlight with 16 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns (including one 66 yarder). Other notable performances included: TJ Buchanan (one receiving TD, 4 tackles, 2 punts, 15 yard KO return), Ben Bywater (one rushing TD), Donovan Hanna (one receiving TD), Brandon Kaho (two rushing TDs), and Tyler Manoa (1 QBH, 8 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks). Game summaries for each of the commits are listed below.
Class of 2017 commits (listed alphabetically)
- Tanner Baker (TE/DE, Alatoona HS, @TBAKE32). Allatoona (1-4) continued to struggle in the absence of Baker, falling to Harrison 43-19. Baker has still not yet been cleared to play due to a knee injury.
- TJ Buchanan (WR, Elgin HS, @BeastTj3). The Elgin Wildcats (1-4, 1-2) lost to Plugerville Connally 28-14. Tariq had a relatively quiet week (by his standards) with three carries for eight yards, six receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown, four tackles (three solo), two punts for 37 yards, and a kickoff return for 15 yards. Season totals: 23 rushes for 149 yards, 3 TD, two 2PT conversions; 22 receptions for 232 yards, 2 TDs; 9 KR for 131 yards; 4 PRs for 66 yards; 578 all purpose yards; 5 total tackles (4 solo, 1 assisted); 2 punts for 37 yards.
- Ben Bywater (ATH, Olympus HS, @benbywater5). Olympus (5-1) defeated Kearns 42-34. Bywater had a six yard touchdown run that put Olympus up for good. Season totals: 57 carries for 236 yard and three TDs; 8 receptions for 62 yards; 27 tackles, 1 sack.
- Donovan Hanna (TE/DT, American Leadership Academy; @donnyd119). The ALA Patriots (5-1, 2-0) put on an offensive show, pushing past Globe 70-27. Hanna had one assisted tackle and three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. Season totals: 24 receptions for 387 yards, three TDs; one carry for three yards; 8 tackles (4 solo, 4 assisted); 2 TFL; 1 sack; 2 punts for 72 yards.
- Ammon Hannemann (S, Lone Peak HS; @Ammon_Hann1). Lone Peak (5-1) defeated Westlake 31-3. Hanneman’s stats are not yet available. Season totals: 8 tackles
- Bentley Hanshaw (TE/DE, Moorpark HS; @BentleyHanshaw). Moorpark (3-1, 0-0) defeated Westlake (CA) 35-31. Hanshaw had four receptions for 47 yards. Season stats: 10 receptions for 202 yards, 5 TDS.
Hanshaw looked really good in the win:
#reptheY ?⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Ef6rkxVve1
— bentley (@BentleyHanshaw) September 25, 2016
- Tongi Langi (DB, Bingham HS; @Big_Tuna24). Bingham (5-0) defeated Copper Hills 52-6. Bingham now has a national ranking of No. 21 in MaxPreps Xcellent 25, No. 22 in USA Today prep rankings, and No. 18 in Prep Nation’s national football poll. Langi’s stats are not yet available. Season Totals: 1 punt return for 60 yards, 1 TD
- Preston Lewis (DE/LB, Lone Peak HS, @plewis_8). Lone Peak (5-1) defeated Westlake 31-3. Lewis’s stats are unavailable. Season totals: 1 sack
- Jackson McChesney (RB, Lone Peak HS, @jackson21cheese). Lone Peak (5-1) defeated Westlake 31-3. McChesney had a monster game with 16 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns (including one 66 yarder). Season totals: 51 carries for 366 yards, 6 TDs; 12 receptions for 171 yards.
- Ryan Rehkow (K, Central Valley HS; @r_rehkow24). The Central Valley Bears (3-1, 1-0) defeated Mt. Spokane 14-7. Rehkow had two PATs and pinned Mt. Spokane at its own two yard line with 5:16 remaining in the contest. Season Totals: 4 field goals (long of 49 yards), seven PATs, punts
- Isaac Rex (TE, San Clemente HS, @Isaac_Rex1). San Clemente (3-2, 0-0) defeated Palos Verdes 28-7. Rex recorded no stats. Season stats: 7 receptions for 82 yards, 1 TD
- Seth Willis (OL, Newtown HS; @seth_willy). The Nighthawks (3-0, 1-0) put the thump on Joel Barlow 47-0. Willis anchored an o-line that put up 40 points in the first half. He recorded no stats. Season Totals: No stats
Class of 2018 commits
- Campbell Barrington (OT/DE, University HS; @Campbel33563194). The University Titans (1-3, 0-1) fell to Shadle Park 18-0. Barrington recorded no stats. Season Totals: No stats
- Brandon Ale Kaho (RB/LB, Reno HS; @Brandonkah0). The Reno Huskies (5-0, 0-0) defeated Douglas 49-24 to remain the only undefeated team in the Northern 4A. Kato scored two first quarter touchdowns, including a direct snap 30 yard rush. Season Totals: 41 carries for 363 yards and 10 TDs; 4 receptions for 63 yards (15.8 avg) and 1 TD; 1-1 passing for a 39 yard TD; 7 tackles (7 solo, 0 assisted); 1 TFL; 1 INT; punt; 4 PATs
- Jaren Kump (OL/DL, Herriman HS; @jarenkump68). Herriman (4-1) defeated Riverton 14-7. Kump recorded no stats. Season Totals: 10 tackles, 1 sack
- Cameron Latu (DE/TE, Olympus HS). Olympus (5-1) defeated Kearns 42-34. Cameron’s stats have not yet been recorded. Season totals: 4 receptions for 52 yards; 32 tackles; seven sacks
- Nathan Latu (DE, Olympus HS; @LatuNathan). Olympus (5-1) defeated Kearns 42-34. Nate’s stats have not yet been recorded. Season totals: 10 tackles, 1 sack
- Sekope Lutu Latu (K/P, Kahuku HS; @LatuSekope). The Red Raiders (6-1, 4-0) bounced back from their loss to No. 1 ranked Bishop Gorman to defeat Moanalua 42-0. With the win they have clinched the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Blue title and secured a first-round bye to the 12-team OIA tournament. Latu’s stats not yet available. Season Totals:
- Tyler Manoa (DT/T, Saint Francis HS; @tylermanoa). The Lancers (4-0, 1-0) defeated Archbishop Riordan 37-0. Manoa had a quarterback hurry and eight tackles (four solo), including 3.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks. He also got on the scoreboard with a safety. Season Totals: 13 tackles (6 solo, 7 assisted); 5.0 TFL; 4.0 sack; 2 QBH; one safety
- Connor Pay (OT/DT, Lone Peak HS; @cpay73). Lone Peak (5-1) defeated Westlake 31-3. Pay did not record any stats. Season Totals: No stats.
- Jacob Smith (OT, Rosemount HS; @jesmith4530). The Irish (4-0, 4-0) defeated Lakeville South 20-2. Smith recorded no stats. Season Totals: No stats
Class of 2019 commits
- CJ Alatini (DE, Orem HS; @AlatiniCj). Orem (1-5) lost a close one to Timpview 38-30. Alatani’s stats are not yet available. Season totals: No stats
- Tausili Fiatoa (DE, Orem HS). Orem (1-5) lost a close one to Timpview 38-30. Fiatoa’s stats are not yet available. Season totals: No stats
- Apu Ika (DT/OL, East HS, @Jackfish801). East (6-0) continued to roll with a 73-9 pounding of Bonneville, which propelled them into the national rankings at No. 20. Ika recorded no stats. Season totals: No stats.