Video: Simi Fehoko, senior mid-year
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah – Only a few
receivers ever get a chance to put their name in the high school
record books. Such an opportunity is within the grasp of
Simi Fehoko.
The Brighton (Salt Lake City) senior ranks second all-time among Utah high school receivers with 3,439 career receiving yards. Fehoko needs to gain just seven more yards to break the record of 3,445 yards set back in 2005 by former Fremont receiver Austin Raught.
Fehoko is also closing in on the all-time career touchdown receptions record. He has 40 touchdowns, which is good for second all-time and needs just seven more to overtake the mark of 41 touchdowns jointly held by Raught and former Jordan receiver Cody Raymond.
Earning these records would be a nice
achievement, but it isn't the main goal that drives Fehoko to make
his senior season a year nobody forgets. His first desire is to cap
his career by leading Brighton to a Class 5A title.
“It was always there,” Fehoko said.
“In the back of my head, it was always there. But overall our whole
goal is to win the state championship and it's been our goal since
day one. (Setting a state record) has always been there, but it
hasn't been the main goal.”
Fehoko's ability to dominate opposing
defenses is a testament to his work ethic and natural talents.
He routinely spends summers catching
balls and running hills with his dad while other teenagers are off
hanging out at the swimming pool. Fehoko has gone to various camps
inside and outside the state to test himself against the best
competition available. It has helped him increase his strength and
speed to match his natural instincts for making plays.
Fehoko is the first to let everyone
know that what he does isn't all about him. He is quick to credit his
teammates for helping him make an impact.
“It all starts with our offensive
line,” Fehoko said. “They give our quarterback time and our
quarterback just has to put the ball in a place where I can make a
play.”
The results have paid off on the field. Fehoko had a breakout season as a junior, leading Brighton with 1,644 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has kept the engine running at full speed this fall. Through nine games, Fehoko has tallied 1,363 yards and 15 touchdowns.
"I don't feel like there's a game
on Friday night where he's not the best player on the field,”
Bengals coach Ryan Bullett said. “He's just at a different level
right now. Stanford is really lucky to have him because he's going to
do big things in college too.”
Simi Fehoko, Brighton
Photo by Steve Carnahan
Fehoko committed to play for Stanford
before the start of his senior season. He chose the Cardinal over
Washington, Michigan, Utah and BYU.
Academics, not just football, played a
major role in Fehoko's college choice. He wanted to go to the place
where he could maximize his potential both in the classroom and on
the field.
“The whole thing I was looking for in
this recruiting process is 'Where am I going to be in 40 years?,'
Fehoko said. “Stanford just offered that education that will put me
in a place where I can succeed in the long-term. That's all they
preach there. They are student-athletes. It sold me on that school.”
Having long-term vision has helped
Fehoko lead the Brighton offense through adversity this season.
Injuries have sidelined starting quarterback Drew Jensen and backup Hunter Albert. One-time third-stringer Andrew Covey is at the
reins of the offense right now.
Through it all, Fehoko has offered a
steadying influence on the offense. He has been a model of
consistency and, at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, provides an easy target to
help the new quarterback get comfortable running the offense.
"He's done a good job of
adjusting,” Bullett said. “He's played with three different
quarterbacks this year, so he's had to get comfortable with all three
quarterbacks – which isn't easy to do, especially for timing
routes.”
As long as Fehoko has someone there to
get him the ball, it's a safe bet he'll find a way to make good
things happen for Brighton.
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. He can be reached at john_coon@hotmail.com and you can follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
