The Kearns High football team last season failed to live up to its potential. The Cougars finished the season with a 3-7 overall record. With failing to qualify for playoffs, Coach Matt Rickards knew that things had to change. Kearns High has made two state championship appearances, once in 1978, and again in 1983. Both of those championship games were won by Kearns. Matt Rickards, being the competitive coach he is, set two goals at the beginning of the new 2015 season. Those goals were to win region and win state. With the likes of Sione Finau, Shay Reid, Graden Luckart, Kiko Faamusili, Bailey Floyd, and many more returning key players, the Cougars looked very strong. The season began with a new turf field, and a big 62-42 victory over the Timpanogos Timberwolves. Kearns was able to build off that victory away from home and beat rivals Granger 35-13. The preseason only got better for the Cougars after beating the Cottonwood Colts 28-12 at home, and blowing out the Copper Hills Grizzlies 42-0 away from home.

The Kearns High Cougars began region with a 4-0 overall record, and was already proving their many critics wrong. They continued to play strong and beat the Hillcrest Huskies 41-14 on homecoming night. For the first time since 1993, the Cougars had a 5-0 overall record, and were only a game away from making history. Kearns had a chance to be 6-0 for the first time in the school’s history, with only a mighty Titan standing in the way. The Olympus Titans marched into the turf field of Kearns High with history on the line. The Titans proved to be the better of the two, winning 44-14 and giving Kearns a 5-1 record. The Cougars bounced back and was able to beat the Murray Spartans with a last minute crazy Shay Reid interception, running 96 yards, and getting the winning touchdown. Kearns would then beat the Skyline Eagles 38-21, and the Cyprus Pirates 63-7 to finish region with an 8-2 overall record. Kearns High would be able to qualify for state playoffs.

It would be a cold day, but the stands were packed as the 2015 4A UHSAA State Football Playoffs began with Kearns taking on Alta. It wouldn’t take long for the Hawks to open the scores, going ahead 0-7. Sese Felilia and Sione Finau would get Kearns back on top with two touchdowns, making it 14-7. The sophomore Sese Felilia rushed for 9 yards to put Kearns ahead 20-14 at the half. The fourth quarter proved to be decisive as the Alta Hawks found the end zone, going ahead by 1 point, 20-21. Kaden Leonard would score a 38 yard field goal to get the Cougars back ahead 23-21, with two minutes to play. Alta would come right back with a field goal to make it 23-24 for the Hawks. Kearns then unfortunately fumbled the ball at the kickoff; Alta would recover and get the touchdown, putting their talons straight through the Cougars hopes and dreams. Alta would come out victorious, 23-31, knocking Kearns out of the state playoffs. “We played hard. It’s been a great season, and I would give anything to play another game with my boys,” stated a distraught Sione Finau. “It’s time for college ball. I’m super excited to see how far we go to represent Kearns. But playing for the gold and green will be what I am going to miss most.” Overall, the Kearns High Cougars had a great season. Ending with an 8-3 overall record, the seniors will leave knowing they have impacted the team well. Congratulations Kearns Football, until next year.