Orem football: Jayden Ah You relishing opportunity to go against two of his close friends

Jayden Ah You

Jayden Ah You has grown close to Timpview standouts Raider Damuni and Sione Moa through the years and will get a chance to go against both in the 5A state championship this Friday.

OREM — As a top linebacker, Orem’s Jayden Ah You enjoys hitting most people, but some more than most.

The Tigers will take on Timpview this Friday for the 5A state championship, which will pit Ah You against standout Timpview running back Sione Moa and receiver Raider Damuni, among others. When asked about the prospect of playing against Moa and Damuni, Ah You’s eyes light up.

“I love going against guys like Sione and Raider and I definitely have so much respect for the players they are,” Ah You said. “I’ve known both the guys for a while, so yeah, I love going against both of them, but mostly because I know both of them are really good.”

Ah You used to play with Damuni prior to high school and has come to know Moa through the years and considers both players as family, considering how close all three have become.

“We’d always have sleepovers when we were younger and all that,” Ah You said. “I love both of them like brothers and it’s great off the field, but yeah, when we get on the field against one another, it’s a battle. It’s a lot of fun and there will be a lot of talking going on, for sure.”

Should all three players match their typical production shown so far this season, then some physical encounters are certain to occur, particularly between Ah You and Moa. Ah You enters the game with 76 tackles on the year from his outside linebacker spot while Moa has accumulated 1,290 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.

“We’re both excited for this opportunity,” Ah You said. “To meet up against one another in the championship — it’s just awesome and you definitely want to play at your best in a game like this against two of your closer friends off the field. I can’t wait.”

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/37u7jrx