Prep football: Farmington trounces inexperienced Roy 37-7
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- A Farmington ball carrier tries to resist a pack of Roy tacklers in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Luke Pebley (3) reaches for a pass against the defense of Farmington’s Ty Runyan (84) on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Ange Ahui (11) tries to shed the tackle of Farmington’s Westin Stewart in a game Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- A Roy High player corrals the football in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High receiver Synic Harvey reaches to catch a pass in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High quarterback Rock Speredon throws a pass in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Collin Chapman takes a snap in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Farmington quarterback Will Peterson looks downfield to pass in a game against Roy on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Drayden Esplin carries the football in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Mason Welch carries the football in a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High captains take the field for the coin toss before a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
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- Roy High football players run onto the field before a game against Farmington on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Roy.
ROY — Although records were not readily available, it has been a long time since Roy High football has taken the kind of home beatdown like it got from Farmington on Friday night.
With no returning starters on offense and only three on defense from last season’s 5A state runner-up, the Royals were ultimately dominated on both sides of the ball.
Farmington scored four touchdowns in the first half and raced to a huge lead before the Royals improved after the break, but the bird had flown the coop and the Phoenix soared to a 37-7 nonregion victory in the season opener for both schools.
“We knew it was going to be a challenge with the number of guys that lack experience. … It was obvious in the first half that things weren’t jelling as crisp as we’d like,” Roy coach Chris Solomona said. “For the most part, we’re fairly pleased with the second half, but still a lot of work we need to do; seeing the type of personnel we have and what we can fix in the next week.”
In addition to lack of varsity time, Roy also has several players who line up on offense and defense during the game.
“We had a number of guys going both ways and weren’t able to finish on both sides of the ball,” Solomona said. “We were moving the ball really well, did some good things offensively … just couldn’t finish. Same things with defense; we put them in third down situations, then they break off for a big touchdown.”
The Royals had drives of 11 and 10 plays during the second quarter but turned the ball over on downs both times with no points to show for their effort.
“When you have eight, nine guys playing both ways, you see some fatigue kick in a little bit. Trying to sustain those drives, you see them tire out at the end,” Solomona said.
Speaking of turnovers, other than running out of downs, the only traditional turnover came with just 26.5 seconds remaining on a Farmington interception of Roy senior quarterback Collin Chapman.
“I was pleased with the way we controlled, not making any mistakes,” Solomona said. “Our running backs did a good job holding onto the ball. Our receivers did a good job until that last pick.”
Chapman and junior signal caller Rock Speredon alternated taking snaps on each Roy possession during the night.
“Rock and Collin competed all winter, spring and summer. It was a tight race and we knew both would get opportunities. Both showed some good things and were able to execute at times,” Solomona said.
Friday marked the successful debut of former Weber State assistant David Fiefia as Farmington’s head coach. Fiefia was aided by a stellar performance from senior quarterback Will Peterson, who threw for three touchdowns in the first half.
Kava Fiefia was on the receiving end of two of those touchdowns, an 8-yarder and a dynamic, 93-yard catch and run midway through the second stanza.
Senior running back Drew Love scored Farmington’s other first-half touchdown on a 76-yard burst to open the scoring (on one of those third-down plays Solomona referenced).
With a 27-0 halftime advantage, Farmington faced a fired-up Roy team coming out of the locker room.
“I was pleased with them in the third quarter; their efforts for sure. We came out the way we wanted to,” Solomona said.
Roy put its only points on the board when Speredon connected with a sprawling junior wideout Luke Pebley on a 41-yard strike at the 3:54 mark of the third quarter. It came on a quick, four-play possession.
“I was reading left to right; nothing was really there, then I saw Luke got some space, so I just put it to some green turf and let my guy go make a play,” Speredon said. “He’s a great athlete and made a good adjustment to the ball.”
Solomona also had high praise for Pebley after the game.
“It was a great throw by Rock and a great catch by Luke. Luke had a couple of nice catches,” Solomona said. “Playing both ways and getting reps on defense and also be stout and do some good things on offense. Good throw, good route, good catch … to have some success with that drive.”
Love added his second touchdown for Farmington on its next possession, this time a 9-yarder for a 34-7 edge.
It’s back to the drawing board for the Royals with a home game against Syracuse (1-0) next Friday.
“There’s a lot of stuff we can build on and learn from when we break down film this weekend; we can correct those mistakes and move on,” Solomona said. “I have confidence in my coaches and we’ll try to bounce back next week. We need to find answers; we’ll get there.”
