2026 Season Previews: No. 16 Corner Canyon (UT)

Corner Canyon opens the 2026 season at No. 16 in the T25PS Public Schools Preseason Top 100 after winning the Utah 6A state championship and finishing 12-2 last season.

The Chargers have been one of the strongest public-school programs in the country over the last several years, but 2026 brings real change.

Eric Kjar, who built Corner Canyon into a nationally recognized public-school power, has moved on to Weber State. Longtime defensive coordinator Casey Sutera now takes over as head coach.

Corner Canyon also has to replace quarterback Helaman Casuga, who graduated and is now at Texas A&M. That makes quarterback the biggest on-field question entering the season.

Even with those changes, the Chargers still have enough returning talent to stay inside the national top 20. Corner Canyon returns 12 starters — six on offense and six on defense — and has a senior core that has been part of three straight Utah 6A state championships.

The goal is clear: win Region 3, win Utah 6A again and chase a fourth straight state title.

Team Snapshot

School: Corner Canyon
City: Draper, Utah
Classification: Utah 6A
2025 Record: 12-2
2025 Finish: Utah 6A State Champion
Head Coach: Casey Sutera
Returning Starters: 12 total — 6 offense, 6 defense
T25PS Rank: No. 16

Why They’re Ranked Here
Championship standard, returning starters and schedule strength.

Corner Canyon starts at No. 16 because the Chargers are the defending Utah 6A state champions and still have one of the best roster profiles in the West.

The coaching change matters. Kjar was a major part of Corner Canyon’s rise, and replacing him is not a small thing. But Sutera has been inside the program as the longtime defensive coordinator, which should help keep the transition from becoming a full reset.

The roster also gives Corner Canyon a strong foundation. The Chargers return 12 starters and bring back key players like Tate Patterson, Diesel Dart, Jack West, Mo Brown, Josh Harris, Chase Peterson and Wyatt Warner. Ryce Palepoi is also listed as one of the top players to watch.

The quarterback spot is the main question. Casuga is gone, and the next quarterback has to step into one of the most visible public-school programs in the country. Corner Canyon has enough structure and returning talent around that position to stay highly ranked, but the offense still has to prove it can settle in quickly.

The schedule is also strong. Corner Canyon is set to face Liberty out of Arizona, Eastwood out of Texas, Davis, Lone Peak and Skyridge. That gives the Chargers multiple chances to prove they belong in the national top 20.

Players to Know

Tate Patterson
Patterson is one of the most important returning players for Corner Canyon. He is listed as a key returner, a three-year starter and a team captain. For a team replacing its head coach and quarterback, Patterson’s leadership matters.

Diesel Dart
Dart is another key returning player for the Chargers. Corner Canyon will need its veteran core to carry the early part of the season while the offense adjusts.

Jack West
West is listed as both a key returner and an under-the-radar player. He gives Corner Canyon another important returning piece on a roster with 12 confirmed starters back.

Mo Brown
Brown is part of the returning core and should be one of the players expected to help Corner Canyon stay at the top of Utah 6A.

Josh Harris
Harris is another key returner. The number of proven players back is one of the main reasons Corner Canyon remains inside the national top 20 despite the offseason changes.

Chase Peterson
Peterson is listed among the key returning players and gives Corner Canyon another veteran piece entering 2026.

Wyatt Warner
Warner is another confirmed returner for the Chargers. Corner Canyon’s depth and returning experience are major parts of the 2026 projection.

Ryce Palepoi
Palepoi is listed among the top players to watch. He gives Corner Canyon another name with upside as the Chargers reload around their veteran core.

Key Games

Liberty — Arizona
Liberty enters the season ranked No. 53 in the T25PS Preseason Top 100. This is one of Corner Canyon’s biggest national-profile games and a major test against an Arizona public-school power.

Eastwood — Texas
Eastwood gives Corner Canyon another out-of-state test. This game adds weight to the schedule and gives the Chargers another chance to prove themselves outside Utah.

Davis
Davis is one of the in-state games listed on Corner Canyon’s 2026 schedule. With a new quarterback and head coach, games like this matter for building rhythm.

Lone Peak
Lone Peak is listed as one of Corner Canyon’s rivalry games. It should again be one of the biggest in-state tests on the schedule.

Skyridge
Skyridge is another major Utah opponent on the schedule. If Corner Canyon is going to win Utah 6A again, it will have to handle games like this.

Biggest Question

The biggest question is how quickly Corner Canyon adjusts to the quarterback and head coaching changes.

Casuga is gone. Kjar is gone. Those are two major departures.

The reason Corner Canyon stays highly ranked is the returning roster and the standard already built inside the program. The Chargers return 12 starters, have strong senior leadership and still have enough talent to compete with anyone in Utah.

If the quarterback position settles and Sutera keeps the program structure in place, Corner Canyon can win Utah 6A again.

T25PS Prediction

Regular Season Prediction: 9-1 - Loss @ Liberty.
Postseason Prediction: These seniors go out as 4-time State Champs.
One Note: The Liberty game is a toss up, if they run the table, this team will expect to get into the new four team tournament being discussed.

Bottom Line

Corner Canyon is ranked No. 16 because the Chargers are the defending Utah 6A state champions and return 12 starters from one of the strongest public-school programs in the West.

The concerns are real. Corner Canyon has a new head coach, a new quarterback and a difficult schedule.

The strengths are also real. The Chargers have returning starters, senior leadership, championship experience and a program standard that has already produced three straight Utah 6A titles.

If Corner Canyon handles the transition early, the Chargers can win a fourth straight state championship.

Thanks for reading,

Alex | T25PS

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