SALT LAKE CITY — Thursday's 6A state championship game between Lone Peak and Corner Canyon high schools is a rivalry game to the highest degree, but until kickoff, quarterbacks Kepa Niumeitolu and Helaman Casuga will put the battle aside for what matters most to them.
The two starting quarterbacks have known each other since they were in seventh grade, but it wasn't until recently that they became close friends through their faith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Being able to talk about each other's weeks, how we felt about our game or how we feel about the next team that we are playing, it's always nice to just have that friendly relationship off the field," said Casuga, who leads Corner Canyon.
"I've seen him grow in ways that he may not know," added Lone Peak's Niumeitolu. "We've never brought the rivalry to our relationship. We talk about other things,"
Casuga shared how getting to know Niumeitolu as more than a rival has drawn the two closer together.
"You get to see the competitive side of each other, but now getting to know each other's families, the back side of football and behind the scenes," he said. "It's pretty special."
The boys' bishop, Stefano Taukafa, claims to have had the best seat in the house, watching the boys as they really are, away from the football field.
"The great thing is they leave everything aside," Taukafa explained. "It's great to see that transition happen. It's really rare for teenagers to have that maturity of understanding that there's a time and place for things."
The stakes in the title game are obviously huge for both sides, but it's the friendship between Kepa and Helaman that will keep them level-headed.
"I think we both do a good job at just clocking out," Casuga said. "The rivalry and feel for this game is a little different, but we just try to keep it the same."
Corner Canyon will be looking to repeat as state champs, while Lone Peak is battling for its first title since 2021.
"Just for us to be here at this point means a lot to me and the boys," said Niumeitolu.
"It's a blessing to compete for another ring," added Casuga. "I think everyone's just going to miss high school football. I'm already starting to miss it, to be honest, I want everyone to play their best game and whoever wins, wins."
