Things finally broke open in the second half for the Lone Peak High School football team and the Knights were able to shut out Skyridge High School 20-0 in the second 6A Semifinal game on Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
In the first half, both teams showed glimpses of their prowess, but turnovers and failed execution led to a 0-0 score at halftime. Lone Peak could have gone into the half with a 7-0 lead after Crew McChesney was wide open inside the Skyridge 20-yard line but he tripped over his own feet before he could get there. On the following play, Skyridge’s Smith Snowden intercepted Easton Comer in the end zone. Snowden was able to rip the ball out of the Lone Peak wide receiver’s hand and secure it before hitting the turf.
Lone Peak coach Bart Brockbank’s halftime message to his team was simple.
“We got 24 minutes. We either take it or they take it,” Brockbank said.
He also acknowledged his team’s need to contain Skyridge running back Teagen Calton, who was doing some damage on his defense.
Lone Peak would be the first team to break the stalemate. The Knights’ points would come off a 44-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter. Brockbank said that he doesn’t like kicking field goals but if he has to he will send the unit out.
From there on the Knights did go out and take it from the Falcons, as McChesney was able to get his redemption after the turf monster got him, scoring on a 63-yard touchdown run to extend the lead.
McChesney had a defender draped all over him when he caught the pass, resulting in a pass interference call against Skyridge.
“I was just stoked, when I caught that ball it was awesome,” McChesney said. “I felt him tugging on me and I thought ‘I gotta get this ball, it’s a jump ball.’ You gotta fight through it.”
McChesney finished the game with 137 yards and a touchdown reception.
Lone Peak was also able to get some huge stops on defense, shutting down the Skyridge offense. For the first time in school history, the Falcons didn’t score any points.
Brockbank said the Knights’ game plan was to keep McCae Hillstead in front of them and force him to go the length of the field. Hillstead finished the game 13 of 24 for 147 yards and three interceptions. On the ground, he only put up 26 yards, meaning the Lone Peak defense was able to achieve its goal.
Luke Durfey was all over the field for Lone Peak, recording nine tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.
“Personally, in my head, I always have the edge over someone. I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder. I’m always trying to fly around, get hit, anything I can do. And I think the rest of the defense will say the same about that too,” Durfey said.
In total, the Lone Peak defense was able to sack Hillstead three times for a loss of 15 yards.
In addition to another field goal, this time from 24 yards out, Comer connected with Luke Hyde for the game-sealing touchdown. Comer finished the game 12 of 22 for 278 yards and one interception. Hyde finished with 108 yards, including a 62-yard reception and his 30-yard TD.
Lone Peak will now take on Corner Canyon in the 6A State title game next week. The Knights were the team that was able to snap the Chargers impressive winning streak that dated back to 2019.
Earlier in the day, Corner Canyon defeated Weber 48-13, punching its ticket to the state championship game. Corner Canyon quarterback Devin Brown threw for 341 yards and six touchdowns in the victory. Brown also led the team in rushing yards with 57. Jett Meine led all receivers with 144 yards, including an 80-yard reception. Cody Hagen had three touchdowns and 80 yards.
“We are the ones that beat them and we know they’re gonna come out hard, but it’s state championship time and I know everyone’s coming out hard in the state championship, so we just got to play our game like we did last time,” Durfey said.
“It puts a lot of pressure on us,” McChesney said. “It’s hard beating a team twice, so we got to come out, be strong, be confident, and get the job done.”
“They’re gonna be angry. And they’re gonna be ready,” Brockbank said of Corner Canyon as they head into the rematch game. “We’re gonna have to match that and go on top of it. I think to start the game at a state championship there’s always a lot of emotions. You know, we got to keep them, you know, bottled up and within the right energy and come out and play.”
Lone Peak and Corner Canyon will face off on Friday, Nov. 19 at 2:30 p.m. for the 6A state championship. The game will take place at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
