Skyridge claims early lead, overcomes field-goal woes for 21-16 win at Lone Peak

05 Oct 2024, 05:25 by Caleb Turner, KSL.com · KSL.com

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

HIGHLAND — The Skyridge Falcons complicated an already jumbled top tier of Utah high school football Friday with a 21-16 win over Lone Peak, who has the only win this season over Corner Canyon.

Junior quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne broke off a 35-yard touchdown run just two minutes in for the Falcons to silence the home crowd, and several stalled drives on offense left Lone Peak with just a field goal until deep into the second quarter.

The Knights lucked out a bit with three consecutive missed field goals by Skyridge, and Sean Tahi scored on a 39-yard touchdown run of his own with 2:56 remaining in the first half to give the home team a narrow 10-7 lead at the break.

Momentum shifted back to the Falcons at the end of the third quarter when Lone Peak quarterback Kepa Niumeitolu was picked off in the end zone, and senior running back Zaeden Selu almost immediately turned around for a 70-yard touchdown run to get the lead back.

Selu also scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter — a 2-yard run with just under seven minutes left to play in the game.

"(Zaeden) was a game-breaker right there, right?" Skyridge head coach Justin Hemm said of Selu's big run. "Game changer, as far as being able to finish that thing and put it in the end zone."

Niumeitolu earned some redemption with a keeper touchdown for Lone Peak with 2:26 left in the game, but Skyridge recovered the onside kick attempt and ran the clock out to move both teams to 6-2 on the season.

"We want to learn from our mistakes and continue to grow," Hemm said of winning six of the last seven games after a season-opening loss at Timpview. "And I think that's just going to continue to make us better in the long run."

Skyridge stays on the road for its penultimate regular-season game against Pleasant Grove next week, while Lone Peak remains at home for another blockbuster against Lehi.

Photos

Skyridge’s Zaeden Selu scores a touchdown during a varsity football game against Lone Peak at Lone Peak High School in Highland on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Skyridge won 21-17.Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Skyridge’s Jared Iakopo runs with the ball as Lone Peak’s Landan Goff and Cade Hanson trail him during a varsity football game at Lone Peak High School in Highland on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Skyridge won 21-17.Kristin Murphy, Deseret News