Lehi football opens its 2026 season Friday, Aug. 14, at home against Maple Mountain at 7 p.m. with a rebuilt coaching staff stacked with championship pedigree.

Second-year head coach Andy Hadfield added four coaches with deep Pioneer roots after several previous staff members stepped away. Three played on Lehi's 2017 Class 5A state title team that beat Skyridge 55-17: Kade Moore now coaches wide receivers, Drake Knowles works with defensive ends and Dallin Holker mentors tight ends. Holker, a current NFL tight end with the New Orleans Saints, brings pro-level experience back to his alma mater.

The biggest addition is Steve Clements as offensive coordinator. Clements led Lehi to the 2000 Class 3A state championship over Delta as head coach and later served as a position coach at the school.

"Our front seven is as good as we've ever had here," Hadfield told the Lehi Free Press. "They have talent, size and speed."

That confidence starts with three senior linebackers: Brody Downs (6-2, 215), Paul Unga (6-2, 210) and Colt Kelley (6-2, 215). In front of them, senior defensive end Tautai Meredith (6-3, 250) committed to Washington State in June. Senior Sterling Fillmore (6-3, 205) will play a hybrid defensive end/tight end role while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Defensive coordinator Jared Harward called sophomore cornerback Li'i Unga one of the better corners he's seen. The secondary's sophomore group went 8-1 at the JV level last season.

On offense, senior quarterback Briggs Jensen (5-11, 195) takes over after spending time as an understudy last year. His top target is senior wide receiver Cam Wren (6-2, 195), the lone returning skill player on that side of the ball. Hadfield said an offseason switch turned on for Wren, calling the difference "night and day" from a year ago.

Senior Kacyn Page (6-7, 330) anchors an otherwise inexperienced offensive line. The running back committee features junior Cam Bryce (5-10, 195) and senior Sam Verbecky (5-10, 185), replacing departed Devaughn Eka.

The Pioneers were picked to finish last in Region 3, which Harward called the "SEC of high school football." The region includes Corner Canyon, Lone Peak, Skyridge and American Fork. Lehi enters with the fewest returning starters among those programs.

Hadfield said the players have bought in and are excited to show the work they've put in, crediting the new staff's ties to the program's championship history.

Kickoff against Maple Mountain is Friday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. at Lehi High School. The 6A state championship is scheduled for Nov. 20 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.