At least for now, Granger has won the inner-city football war against Hunter. The battle between the two West Valley City high schools ended on Oct. 18 with the Lancers beating the Wolverines 47-6.

It evened Granger’s season record at 5-5 pending the state 5A playoffs that began on Oct. 25, after our press deadline. Hunter is 4-6 on the year entering the playoffs.

Junior running back Sunia Fifita rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown for Granger. It was part of a powerful running attack by the Lancers, who finished with 360 yards on the ground against Hunter. Senior RB Tevita Kofe scored two touchdowns as well.

Lancer junior quarterback Aidan Royce Welchman completed eight passes for 106 yards and four touchdowns, two of them to senior Brighton Webb. Junior placekicker Lu Kinikini added five extra points for Granger. The Lancers led 27-0 at halftime.

The host Wolverines found paydirt early in the second half, as senior Saiosi Koloamatangi scored on a 57-yard run. 

The playoffs began with Granger visiting Box Elder and Hunter traveling to Northridge for first-round games.

Granger’s season began with three straight losses to Maple Mountain, Viewmont and Pleasant Grove, but turned around with a victory over Skyline. The Lancers then lost two more, falling to Weber and West Jordan before starting a four-game win streak. Granger defeated Kearns, Taylorsville and Cyprus before the win over Hunter. Welchman has thrown for 15 touchdowns this season through 10 games. Fifita has rushed for 1,257 yards and 15 TDs this year. Webb and La’auli Figiel have each caught six TD passes this year.

Hunter started the season 1-4 before picking up wins over Cyprus, Kearns and Taylorsville. It also lost to West Jordan. Sophomore quarterback Isa Moungaafi has thrown three TDs in the four games in which he has started. Koloamatangi has led Hunter receivers with eight TDs and over 780 yards. 

Both teams were lower seeds entering the playoffs, meaning both schools will be playing on the road for opening rounds. λ