Before overseas mission, Layton High soccer captains aren’t wasting final push
Lancers overcome coach's absence, topple mighty LCA in 1st meeting
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- Layton High’s Crew Buchanan and Davis Madsen, pictured in this combination graphic of two Standard-Examiner photos, are playing out their final season of high school soccer together before heading to Brazil to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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- Layton High’s Jack Gibbs snatches a Layton Christian shot out of the air during a nonregion boys soccer contest at Layton Christian Academy on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton High celebrates a goal during a nonregion boys soccer contest at Layton Christian Academy on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton Christian celebrates a goal during a nonregion boys soccer contest with Layton High on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton Christian’s Felipe Mendes, left, is guarded closely by Layton High’s Cormick Hunter, right, during a nonregion boys soccer contest at Layton Christian Academy on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton High’s Davis Madsen pictured during a nonregion boys soccer contest at Layton Christian Academy on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton Christian celebrates a goal during a nonregion boys soccer contest with Layton High on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton Christian’s Gustavo Medeiros pushes upfield during a nonregion boys soccer contest with Layton High at Layton Christian Academy on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
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- Layton Christian’s Gustavo Medeiros, left, chases down Layton High’s Grant Wilson, right, during a nonregion boys soccer contest at Layton Christian Academy on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Layton Christian Academy in Layton.
LAYTON — Soccer has played a pivotal part in Layton High captains Davis Madsen and Crew Buchanan’s formation and friendship for quite some time.
Long before leading the Lancers into their final postseason run, they were teammates on the same Kindergarten team learning the rules and dynamics of the game like any other player has at such an age. Upon graduating from high school this spring, they’ll still be teammates — and soccer, too, may easily be involved.
Madsen, who put away Layton’s game-winner at Layton Christian for a 3-2 road win on Wednesday, and Buchanan, who led the defensive unit through the game’s five-goal flurry in the final 12 minutes, will soon find themselves in Fortaleza, Brazil, serving their respective missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It’s an experience the teammates have eagerly waited for, and with graduation this spring, they’ll soon find themselves in a foreign country.
“It’s going to help us settle in,” Buchanan said of Brazil. “You’ll get to know the people better of Brazil and be able to connect on that level, and I think it’s going to make our time more enjoyable as well.”
First, though, comes one last push toward the 6A boys soccer state playoffs.
“We love the game,” Madsen said. “That’s what it comes down to. We love it, and we love doing it together. We’ve created a fun bond.”
On Wednesday, Layton (6-6, 3-4 Region 1) picked up its third nonregion win of the regular season at LCA in the first-ever matchup between the two Davis County schools. The Eagles (12-6), falling late despite claiming the lead twice (with 11 minutes to play, and then with 2 minutes left), are now competing as an independent member in boys soccer and no longer playoff eligible.
Missing from the win, though, was 29-year coaching veteran Rick Talamantez, who was absent from Wednesday’s road match due to “family matters,” per the team.
Buchanan, who came up through the Talamantez system with Madsen and 13 other Lancer seniors, said it added an element of urgency to Wednesday’s match that lifted his side through three lead changes in the final 12 minutes of regulation.
Last season, Talamantez spoke with the Standard-Examiner about how much his recent teams have renewed his “passion” for the game.
“It was almost like an emotional factor,” Buchanan said. “We wish he could be here. It’s sad circumstances, we want to win for him. So I think it was another confidence booster, you know, wanting to go out and go show that we can win for him and that without him here that we can still do what we need to do.”
“Rick and (Devin Kuerth) have taught us how to play,” Madsen said. “We’ve been building on it all season, so I mean, we’ve been prepared for this, and the least we could do for Rick is go get a win.”
After a scoreless opening half, LCA junior Gabriel Morais broke the silence streak with the game’s first goal with 11:57 to play. Sophomore Filipe Scherer, answering Layton junior Dylan Carlini’s first goal for the Lancers, brokered a second Eagles lead 2-1 with 2:05 left.
The final 1:06 saw sophomore Wylee Rollins tie the match at 2-all and Madsen, who forced his free kick off an LCA defender’s leg and into the right end of the net, gave the Lancers a 3-2 lead with 26 seconds remaining. That first Morais goal lit something for Layton, Buchanan said.
“I think it kind of woke us up a little bit,” Buchanan said. “They countered, they got a goal and then we go down. There’s a minute left and so you just have to push everyone forward and get lucky off a good corner. … When you’re pressing the game and giving it to them, good things are bound to happen and I think it really showed our heart and desire to get back in the game.”
Both Buchanan and Madsen saved some praise for Layton’s goalkeeper, senior Jack Gibbs.
“He helped us stay calm in the game and helped us really distribute out from the back and really directed us from the back,” Buchanan said. “I think he did a really great job.”
“I think our keepers have done them great this year,” Madsen added. “They’ve improved a lot since last year with the ball, saving shots. It’s been really awesome to watch them progress.”
Third in region play, Layton finishes the regular season Friday at Farmington. Their playoff matchup won’t be revealed until Wednesday, May 6, but Layton, traveling to take on the nine-win Phoenix this weekend, could easily enter the postseason at seven wins.
With a win, Layton’s looking at a potential home playoff bid if the chips fall their way. Even so, Madsen is confident his teammates can step up any time, anywhere.
I think our team is just very well-built,” Madsen said.
“I mean, there’s not one player that’s better than the other. I mean, we’re a very well-built and we know how to play together. … On any given day, someone can put the ball in the back of the net and someone can be a leader. So that’s what I think is so good about our team is that we’re not dependent on one person, it’s more of a team game and that’s what I appreciate about the team is that anyone can step up any day of the week.”
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net, X @ctbecker and Instagram @standardexaminersport.
