5A UHSAA Playoffs: Regionals Preview + Full Bracket

START DATE: May 8th

The 2026 UHSAA 5A playoff bracket has been announced, and the full field of teams and matchups revealed. The 5A classification is our largest class in Utah, and the geographical representation is substantial with teams littered up and down the 15 freeway. Now that each squad knows their seed, we get to dive into the intriguing matchups of the Regional round and discuss the 8 programs that earned themselves a first round bye. 

If you've missed anything throughout the season, get yourself caught up by looking back at our full coverage of the 2026 season to date:

+ Preseason Team Previews HERE
+ Daily Roundups HERE
+ Weekly Heat Sheet HERE
+ POTW Award Winners HERE
+ Weekly Power 25 Team Rankings HERE

The 4A playoffs kicked of the official start of the 2026 playoff season, with 2A-6A following suit this week. Be sure to check back daily on our socials to following along as we cover ALL the playoff action across the Beehive State!

Top 8 Seeds

REGIONAL MATCHUP PREVIEWS

(9) Payson vs (24) Hillcrest

The #9 seed Payson Lions enter this Regional showdown with a high-octane offensive identity and a flair for the long ball, spearheaded by the veteran duo of Ruger Braithwaite and Ty Marvin. Braithwaite’s staggering .570 on-base percentage serves as the constant engine for the lineup, while Marvin’s team-leading four home runs provide the necessary muscle to break games open in a single swing. To secure the series, Payson must rely on the steady arm of Tucker Bushnell (3.13 ERA) to command the zone and allow their run-producers like Cole Neves to dictate the scoring tempo. They are challenged by a #24 seed Hillcrest squad that excels in manufacturing runs through elite speed and high-efficiency baserunning. The Huskies' blueprint for a postseason upset is anchored by Luis Villasmil and his 20 stolen bases, alongside the table-setting brilliance of Boston Carrell, who carries a blistering .660 OBP. Hillcrest’s trajectory toward the Super Regionals depends on utilizing that speed to disrupt the Lions' defensive rhythm while leaning on the Bass brothers—Michael and Marcus—to deliver shutdown performances on the mound to neutralize Payson's power.

(10) Wasatch vs (23) Timpview

The #10 seeded Wasatch Wasps prepare to host a #23 seed Timpview squad in a Regional series that promises plenty of offensive fireworks. Wasatch enters the postseason with a high-octane identity, averaging nearly eight runs per contest behind the record-breaking sophomore campaign of Austin Brown, who has punished pitchers all spring with a .435 batting average and nine home runs. The Wasps’ path to the Super Regionals involves leveraging their middle-of-the-order power—bolstered by Royal Matthews and Jack Salmon—to provide a comfortable cushion for ace Max Livingston (3.89 ERA). Meanwhile, Timpview arrives as a battle-tested road team looking to capitalize on their ability to strike early, often averaging over a run in the first inning. The Thunderbirds' roadmap to an upset centers on the two way threat of Senior Cole Engemann (.390 AVG + 54.2 IP) and the clinical arm of Will Cannon, whose mid-upper 80s FB gives them the potential needed to silence the Wasatch bats and make this a legitimate series despite the gap in seeding.

(11) Kearns vs (22) Roy

In a pivotal 11–22 showdown, Kearns enters the Regional round spearheaded by one of the state's most exciting Sophomores in Diego Martinez, who has put up impressive numbers including a .406 batting average and 2 HR. The Cougars' blueprint for advancing rests on the pitching staff's ability to dominate the tempo of the series, and will be supported by the opportunistic baserunning of Alejandro Vera, who leads the squad with 17 stolen bases. They face a resilient Roy Royals unit that prides itself on a gritty, top-heavy lineup led by Kruz Williams, who anchors the squad with a team-best .360 average. The Royals' path to a series victory depends on Parker Skidmore delivering a clinical outing on the bump to neutralize the Kearns power, while the Roy offense must string together disciplined, contact-heavy frames to force the Cougars into defensive pressure situations. With Roy's battle-tested core looking to play spoiler, this series will likely hinge on which side can better execute during the high-stakes late innings.

(12) Taylorsville vs (21) Skyline

This #12 vs. #21 matchup features a Taylorsville Warriors (16-9) squad that enters the postseason with a reputation for a relentless, high-pressure offense capable of erupting at any moment. The Warriors’ primary asset is their ability to generate early momentum, often spearheaded by the clinical hitting of senior Bryant Peterson, who has been a centerpiece of the attack with 34 runs scored, and the reliable arm of Ryne Lageschulte. For Taylorsville to advance, they must leverage their home-field advantage and keep their foot on the gas offensively to force the Eagles out of their defensive rhythm. They are met by a Skyline Eagles team that may be a lower seed, but they play with a disciplined, high-IQ approach that makes them a difficult out in a best-of-three series. The Eagles' roadmap to an upset is paved by their elite on-base ability, led by Cole Must and his staggering .489 OBP, alongside the steady contact and defensive stability of Abe Wilson, who hits at a .339 clip. If Skyline can effectively work deep into counts to tire out the Warriors' rotation and capitalize on late-inning scoring chances, they have the patience and resilience necessary to engineer a road upset and extend their season.

(13) Olympus vs (20) Brighton

The #13 seeded Olympus Titans enter this Regional clash with a high-octane offense that has recently overwhelmed opponents, including a decisive 13–1 victory over these familiar region opponent Bengals just a week ago. The Titans’ primary weapon is their relentless hitting core, spearheaded by Nate Jones, whose explosive recent performances in late April highlights a lineup capable of erupting for double-digit runs at any moment. To claim the series, Olympus must lean on the steady arm of Tommy Olson to stifle rallies early and allow their high-volume offense to dictate the tempo from the first pitch. Conversely, the #20 seed Brighton Bengals possess a gritty core led by sophomore standout Mac Gunn and extra-base threat Broden Fry, both of whom provide the spark needed to ignite a comeback. The Bengals' roadmap to a postseason upset involves tightening their defensive rotation to prevent the big innings Olympus thrives on, while using their situational hitting to apply constant pressure and force the Titans into uncomfortable high-leverage frames.

(14) Woods Cross vs (19) Box Elder

The #14 seed Woods Cross Wildcats enter the Regional round as a formidable offensive unit, recently capping their season with high-scoring victories driven by the elite run-production of senior standout James Hallows. Hallows has been the centerpiece of the Wildcats' attack, slugging a team-high six home runs and 21 RBIs while maintaining a staggering .750 slugging percentage. The Wildcats’ path to the Super Regionals involves leveraging Hallows' power alongside the table-setting brilliance of Tyson Devore (.476 AVG, 12 SB) to provide early run support for a young but effective rotation led by Beckham Stanger and Creighton Farr (2.62 ERA). They are met by a #19 seed Box Elder Bees squad that thrives on a high-pressure baserunning game and veteran presence in the circle. The Bees’ blueprint for a postseason upset is anchored by Korbin Jeppesen, who has terrorized catchers with 14 stolen bases this spring, and Porter Francom, who carries a team-best .518 on-base percentage. To secure the road series, Box Elder must rely on the high-volume strikeout ability of senior ace Bosten Steacie (63 Ks) to neutralize the Woods Cross power while using their speed to manufacture runs in what expects to be a highly competitive, back-and-forth series.

(15) Salem Hills vs (18) Bountiful

The #15 seed Salem Hills Skyhawks prepare to defend their home turf against the #18 seed Bountiful Redhawks in a series defined by veteran grit and situational execution. Salem Hills leans on a high-octane offensive core spearheaded by Eli Leyva, who carries a blistering .412 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage into the postseason, alongside the significant thump of Kash Wallin and his team-leading four home runs. The Skyhawks' blueprint for victory involves leveraging the mound stability of Trig Richards (UVU commit) to silence the Redhawk bats early, allowing their middle-of-the-order to manufacture a lead. Bountiful counters with a resilient, contact-heavy lineup led by the consistency of Hudson Malmrose (.406 AVG) and the flawless defensive reliability of Josh Haslem, who has maintained a .974 fielding percentage all spring. To engineer the road upset, the Redhawks must adopt a patient approach at the plate to inflate pitch counts and rely on Corey Erickson to navigate high-leverage innings, aiming to keep the game tight enough for their scrappy small-ball tactics to make the difference late.

(16) Clearfield vs (17) Springville

In a collision of mid-bracket threats, the #16 Clearfield Falcons host the #17 Springville Red Devils in a series where offensive precision meets veteran resilience. The Falcons’ primary identity revolves around a disciplined, high-velocity approach on the basepaths, fueled by sophomore Drew Bremer and his team-leading 12 stolen bases. Clearfield’s roadmap to the Super Regionals depends on exciting young talent in Sophomores Brady Reynolds and Hank Campbell (.444 AVG, 11 XBH) continuing to act as a relentless table-setters and offensive catalysts, while senior ace Ryan Frei (2.94 ERA) anchors the defensive effort. They face a Springville squad that boasts a battle-tested senior core capable of manufacturing runs in bunches. The Red Devils' winning strategy hinges on the production of Hugh Redd (.431 AVG, 8 XBH) and Preston Hansen (27 Hits, 20 RBI), who provide the veteran stability needed to navigate road pressure. If Springville can leverage the steady pitching of Kasen Torres and Jacob Mayo to minimize Clearfield’s extra-base opportunities, their experienced lineup is well-positioned to engineer a series victory and extend their postseason journey.

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