5A football: Lehi holds off Sky View for first postseason victory in 15 years


7 photos
Save Story

Show 1 more video

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

LEHI — Cammon Cooper made Lehi’s first postseason football appearance in 12 years count.

But after the junior quarterback threw for his second touchdown strike to give the Pioneers a 17-0 lead at the top of the fourth quarter, Sky View threatened to make them one-and-done.

It took one play by Lehi’s defense to pull away — and Zach Bingham was there to answer the call.

Bingham’s 50-yard interception return with 1:13 left in the game helped the Pioneers hold off Sky View, 24-14 in the first round of the Class 5A football playoffs Friday evening at Lehi High for the Pioneers’ first postseason victory in 15 years.

“The win was huge, for our team, for our program, for everything,” Bingham said. “I was thinking we’ve got to win this, and I’m happy to be the playmaker to stop the game.”

The Pioneers won their first chance at a playoff game since losing to Snow Canyon in the 2004 Class 3A state tournament. Lehi hadn’t won a postseason game since a 16-10 victory Oct. 27, 2001 over Hurricane in the 3A tournament.

“We haven’t won for a long time. We got our school split, and were stuck with a skeletal crew of kids. I think we are in the toughest region in the state, top to bottom,” Lehi coach Ed Larson said. “It’s kind of a fairy tale ending, in our last chance in 5A, so why not play the top dogs? We’re going to do our best to enjoy this moment and enjoy the spotlight.”

Cooper tossed an 11-yard score to Kade Moore with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter to give the Pioneers (8-3) a 10-0 lead at halftime.

The Bobcats (6-4) kept it close, picking up an interception through Brooklyn Kirk before two stripped-ball fumbles in the final two minutes of the half fav Lehi the advantage.

Cooper, the state leader in passing yards, then hit Dallin Holker for an 18-yard score to cap a 75-yard drive that bridged the final two quarters to take a 17-0 lead.

Zach Bingham returns an interception 50 yards for Lehi in the Pioneers' 24-14 win over Sky View in the Class 5A state playoffs Friday at Lehi. (Photo: Matt Glade, KSL TV)
Zach Bingham returns an interception 50 yards for Lehi in the Pioneers' 24-14 win over Sky View in the Class 5A state playoffs Friday at Lehi. (Photo: Matt Glade, KSL TV)

But the Bobcats rallied.

Quarterback Jackson Siddoway finished off a five-minute drive with an 26-yard TD pass to Nate Phillips, then hit Chad Yorgason for a 15-yard score to pull within 17-14 with just 5:27 left on the clock.

“My hat’s off to Sky View for never quitting,” Lehi coach Ed Larsen said. “We’ve got to learn how to put people away. There were too many easy shots that we could’ve had, and we didn’t take advantage of them.

“But in my first year, we went 0-10, and I don’t give a crap how we win. I’ve learned you take every win, and I’m going to be happy and smiling and enjoy this right now.”

Lehi needed a response — and the Pioneers got it. Grayden Hadfield capped a 2:50, 80-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run, Bingham’s interception at the 5-yard line sealed the Pioneers’ first 5A postseason victory since joining the state’s top classification in 2011.

“We had to stop them; I knew that,” said Bingham, whose defense forced five punts. “We had a lot of three-and-outs, then got a couple of calls that we didn’t like. But I knew we had to get that stop.

“It’s been 12 years since we made it here, and this is huge for the program.”

The Pioneers advanced to face the winner of undefeated Bingham and Hunter, which will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday, in a 5A quarterfinal next Friday.

But for now, they’ll enjoy what they’ve done.

“It was the first playoff game in 12 years, and to have the community come out and watch us win was huge for us,” said Cooper, who holds offers from Boise State, Utah State and Weber State, among others. “It will be a big game for us. We will have to come ready.”

Class 5A Roundup

Syracuse 38, West Jordan 35 — At Syracuse, Jayden Grose’s 26-yard field goal as time expired was the difference as the Titans held off the upset-minded Jaguars.

Syracuse quarterback Ty Metcalfe tossed three touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Titans, who advanced to face the winner of Roy and American Fork in the 5A quarterfinals.

Dylan Krans threw for four touchdowns and ran for a score to lead West Jordan.

Fremont 27, Pleasant Grove 7 — At Fremont, Saxton Morby threw three touchdown passes, including two to Haze Hadley as the Silver Wolves jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead and overwhelmed the Vikings.

Austin Freeman and Colter Wilde also scored a touchdown each for Fremont, which will face Taylorsville in the 5A quarterfinals.

Taylorsville 28, Davis 27 — At Davis, the Warriors rallied from 15-down midway through the fourth quarter to stun the Region 2 top-seeded Darts on a two-point conversion from Chase Hess in the final seconds.

Dane Leituala threw three touchdown passes to pace the Warriors, including the game-winner on a 14-yard strike to Jace Simons in the final period.

Jake Emery had two touchdown runs and another TD pass to lead the Darts.

Lone Peak 51, Northridge 7 — At Lone Peak, Dakota Hansen threw four touchdown passes and added another on the ground as the Knights rolled by the Lancers and into the 5A quarterfinals.

Nolan Tuamoheloa scored on a 70-yard fumble recovery to prevent the shut out for Northridge.

Jordan 63, Viewmont 20 — At Jordan, Crew Wakley had three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns to lead the Beetdiggers in a rout of the Vikings.

Alec Evans and Jake Shaver each scored twice for Jordan, which led 63-7 at halftime.

Photos

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsHigh School
Sean Walker

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast