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HIGHLAND — Through three games of the Utah high school football season, Lone Peak has shown its has one of the best defenses in the state.
In Week 3, the Knights showcased their offense, too.
Luke Romney completed 14 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and Lone Peak held the Leopards scoreless for more than three quarters to pull away for a 32-8 win Friday night in the KSL.com Game of the Week for Week 3 of the 2020 high school football season.
“Luke’s getting into a rhythm, which is helpful,” said Lone Peak coach Bart Brockbank, praising his starting quarterback’s confidence. “Him and his receivers are starting to get on the same page.
“We changed a lot of things in the offense this year, and we felt like it would take a little bit of time — especially not having a spring. There are still a lot of holes … but we’re getting there.”
Jaxson Willits ran for 71 yards for the Knights, including a 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that helped Lone Peak (3-0) put the game on ice.
Weston Covey caught three passes for 64 yards, and Kaden Franck scored on a 59-yard punt return for the Knights. Eli Cloward had another three catches in his first game since returning from an injury, and Crew McChesney added a 17-yard touchdown that opened the scoring for the Knights.
“They’re so fast, and they blow by people,” said Romney, who threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-3 win over Jordan in Week 2. “It’s an easy target for me to throw it to.”
But it all went back to the offensive line, Romney insisted.
“We’ve got one of the best O-lines in the state, so we’ve got lots of time to make plays,” the senior quarterback said. “We’ve got good running backs, great receivers. We’re good all around.”
Romney threw for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, including a 25-yard strike to Weston Covey that gave the Knights a 15-0 lead after Siale Tahi’s 2-point conversion run.
Of course, Lone Peak got plenty of help from its defense, which allowed only 3 points in wins over Timpview and Jordan in the first two weeks of the season. John Henry Daley had three tackles for loss, and Luke Durfey added another before halftime.
“It’s so nice to have them,” Romney said of his defense. “They’re lock down, don’t let up big plays, create turnovers; it’s the best (defense) in the state."
That was the other big story of the night.
Daley had four tackles for loss and a blocked punt to lead a Lone Peak defense that continued its bruising force. Through three games, the Knights have outscored their opponents 108-11, and didn’t allow a touchdown on the season until East’s Mapa Vaenuku sprinted for an 88-yard score down the home sideline with 2:14 remaining and the game in hand.
Otherwise, it was a flawless night by defensive coordinator Ryan Denney’s group.
“The defense is really good this year, and I think it comes to everyone buying into the system. Coach Denney has been here long enough that kids grow up in the system, and they buy into it — and then you’ve got to execute.
“We expect our backups to do the exact same thing, and coach Denney will be on those guys like he is on his starters. That’s how he builds.”
Vaenuku ran for 111 yards and a touchdown on six carries. IJ Sula added 46 yards on the ground for East (1-2).
Lone Peak will play at Farmington next week in a game streamed on live.ksl.com. The Leopards, who will only play two home games due to COVID-19 regulations governed by the Salt Lake City School District, will play at American Fork.
Scoring summary
Q1, 5:33 — LP: Crew McChesney 17 pass from Luke Romney (Miller kick)
Q2, 5:23 — LP: Weston Covey 25 pass from Luke Romney (Tahi run)
Halftime: Lone Peak, 15-0
Q4, 9:46 — LP: Benjamin Miller 32 field goal
Q4, 8:33 — LP: Kaden Franck 59 punt return (Miller kick)
Q4, 6:37 — LP: Jaxson Willits 6 run (Miller kick)
Q4, 2:14 — EA: Mapa Vaenuku 88 run (Vaenuku run)
Final: Lone Peak 32, East 8
