The Orem Tigers secured their tenth state championship by defeating the Springville Red Devils 42-7 in a commanding performance on March 15, 2024. The victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City was highlighted by a remarkable display from senior player Aisa Galea’i, who scored three touchdowns across various phases of the game.
Galea’i opened the scoring with a stunning 60-yard touchdown run, setting the tone for the match. He later made a significant impact on defense with a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown, which extended Orem’s lead to 21-0 by halftime. Shortly after the break, Galea’i added a third score with a 96-yard kickoff return, pushing the Tigers ahead 28-0 and effectively clinching the title.
Orem coach Lance Reynolds praised Galea’i’s versatility, 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. Every time he touches the ball, something big can happen.”
Reflecting on the championship moment, Galea’i expressed his happiness, saying, “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.”
The championship win was a remarkable turnaround for Orem, who had faced disappointment the previous season when they exited the playoffs in the quarterfinals. Reynolds emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, reminding his team at halftime not to repeat past mistakes. “We were up big earlier this year and took our foot off the gas. We didn’t want that again. I was proud of how we kept pushing,” he explained.
Orem’s defense was formidable throughout the game, preventing Springville from scoring in the first half and utilizing Galea’i’s all-around brilliance to dominate the match. Reynolds described the season as one of the “most difficult, turbulent” he has coached, crediting both his staff and players for their resilience.
The victorious Tigers celebrated their achievement, with Galea’i’s performance marking one of the most impressive in Utah high school football history. As the team lifts the championship trophy, the focus now shifts to the future, with Galea’i looking forward to his next steps as a commit to the University of Utah.
