This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.
Highland sophomore Vili Ripley scored seven touchdowns, five rushing and two receiving, in the Rams' 70-42 first-round win over Bear River, according to MaxPreps.
His favorite came on an inside zone run. "I just love inside zone," he said. "It was a little clogged up, but then I broke out."
Ripley said the Rams went in wanting to make a statement. "We just knew that we wanted to just stick it to them," he said. "All of us love football so much, so we just want to play more football. It's not necessarily just getting the dub, but just wanting to play more football."
Back from injury
Ripley missed games earlier this season with an injury. "I've never really been injured like that before," he said. He had hoped to break 1,000 yards. Andy said he's close to 800 with about 15 total touchdowns.
The guys around him
Ripley credited senior lineman John Ahoafi-Noa, who has moved around the line. "Wherever he's at, he just helps control the field," Ripley said. He said receivers Adriean King Boyd and Zamari Vaughn set up many of his touchdowns, including a long kick return by King Boyd. On defense, he praised cornerbacks Andrew Cracroft and Evan Kearl, whose interception "was a really big turning moment for us."
Asked whether Highland's region is underrated, Ripley said, "I would say we're a little underrated."
Next up: Ridgeline
Highland faces Ridgeline in the second round on Friday, Nov. 6. "We're definitely honed in just on focusing on this week, trying to be 1-0 and just keep getting those dubs so we can make it to the stadium," Ripley said.
See the full 4A bracket in our story on Provo's upset of Stansbury.