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AROUND THE BEEHIVE — To say otherwise would be a misnomer, so we'll say it up front.
The season didn't start the way Lone Peak coach Bart Brockbank and new quarterback Kaden Hodson wanted, a 31-10 loss to Timpview on the Provo High football field that left the Knights humbled only a year removed from a state championship.
But four games since the setback, Lone Peak is putting itself back into the conversation of Utah high school football's top tier, moving to No. 6 in the latest KSL.com Top 20+1.
The Knights (4-1, 1-0 Region 4) have a new quarterback in Kaden Hodson, who had barely a month of experience when he lined up against the Thunderbirds on the opening night of the season. Six weeks — and a trio of wins over teams from California, Nevada and Arizona — later, Hodson threw for 234 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 24-14 win over Pleasant Grove that snapped the Vikings' own four-game win streak.
Of course, it helps to have one of the better athletes in the state to catch passes in Crew McChesney (yes, BYU fans; he's part of that McChesney family). The BYU baseball commit caught six passes for 122 yards and a score, his first 100-yard receiving game of the season. After being limited to just four catches for 37 yards against Timpview, McChesney now has 340 receiving yards and three scores.
But the biggest key is the defense, which has held teams to 20 points or less during the win streak with an average of 13.25 points per game.
"I think our defense is playing well right now. We had a couple of brain farts but outside of that I thought the defense was solid," Brockbank told the Deseret News. "We did have some stupid penalties and stuff that's on us that we have to clean up."
The Knights are trending up heading into the biggest gauntlet of the season, beginning Friday at American Fork with home games against Skyridge and Corner Canyon to follow. That's three of the top-15 teams in the state in consecutive weeks.
Speaking of which, here's the rest of the Top 20+1.
Great win for the Falcons last weekend against Westlake! Final score of 62-6 brings their record to 6-0.
— Skyridge Football (@skyridgefb) September 19, 2022
Come cheer them on at the Homecoming game this Friday night 7:00pm against Corner Canyon.
📸cred:Greg Baird pic.twitter.com/2Cpjzm5TlZ
1. Skyridge (6-0)
A lot of opposing fan bases are waiting for the Falcons to slip up, especially with Utah State quarterback commit McCae Hillstead on the mend. But that might not happen any time soon, after backup Trent Call threw for 183 yards and four touchdowns (with two interceptions, to keep him humble) in a 62-6 rout of Westlake.
2. Lehi (6-0)
The Pioneers wrapped up non-region play with a 46-0 inferno against Fremont to remain unbeaten. Circle Thursday, Oct. 6 on your calendar; that's when Lehi goes to Timpview in a region title matchup that should have 5A state implications.
3. Corner Canyon (4-2)
Isaac Wilson threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions to help the Chargers get back on track with a 35-14 win over American Fork. The game featured a 16-yard interception returned for a touchdown by starting running back Drew Patterson (who also ran for 113 yards and a score).
4. Timpview (5-1)
The Thunderbirds' only loss is to top-ranked Skyridge, and they're undefeated in region play after Micah Beckstead powered Timpview to a breezy 42-14 win over Alta.
5. Farmington (6-0)
Easton Wight found Ben Stuck with his third touchdown pass with 4:11 left in the fourth quarter to help the Phoenix stay unbeaten with a 21-17 win over Layton in Region 1 play.
6. Lone Peak (4-1)
The Knights' defense keeps rolling under defensive coordinator Ryan Denney, but tough waters are ahead.
7. Stansbury (6-0)
We get it, the Stallions have a lot of haters. But maybe a 34-0 blanking of rival Tooele or 159 yards and a touchdown from Utah commit Mateaki Helu will convince them. Or maybe not.
8. Bingham (4-2)
Carson Sudbury, Havea Fotu, and Maddax Peck each ran for a touchdown to help the Miners hold off Herriman 23-15 in Region 3 play.
9. Mountain Ridge (5-1)
The Sentinels took advantage of a get-right game, getting two touchdowns on the ground from Semisi Kinikini and a whole lot more to roll past Copper HIlls 48-9.
10. Pleasant Grove (4-2)
Nic Staffieri threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions as the Vikings had their four-game win streak snapped by Lone Peak.
11. West (4-2)
Isaiah SueSue threw for 301 yards and five touchdowns, and ran for another 69 yards and a score to help the Panthers rout visiting Hunter 44-0.
12. Springville (5-1)
Thursday Night Lights became a rock fight as Dallin Johnson and the Red Devils' defense held Provo to 64 yards on the ground in an 18-14 win to take control of Region 8 play.
— Springville Red Devil Football (@SHSRedDevilFtbl) September 16, 2022
13. West Jordan (4-1)
The Jaguars rolled up 34 unanswered points in a 34-9 win over Riverton in Region 3 play.
14. American Fork (4-2)
Can the Cavemen rally with archrival Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove and Westlake on the schedule the next three weeks?
15. Brighton (5-1)
Jack Johnson threw for 208 yards and a touchdown with an interception, and Kace Gurr ran for 123 yards and three scores as the Bengals punctuated their five-game win streak with a 41-23 victory over Skyline.
16. Box Elder (5-1)
It was business as usual for the Bees, who got two touchdowns from Easton White and ended the game on 20-6 fourth-quarter run to top Viewmont 55-31.
17. Provo (4-2)
Drew Deucher's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown deserves some shine in the Bulldogs' loss at Springville.
18. Grantsville (6-0)
Hunter Bell had two touchdowns, and the Cowboys erupted for 56 points in the first half en route to a 62-20 rout of Ben Lomond.
On 4th and goal, Bountiful's Owen Geilman finds Russell Smith for a 2 yard score. This was their opening drive of the 2nd half
— Patrick Carr (@patrickcarr_) September 17, 2022
16-7 Redhawks lead Bonneville, 5:35 3Q pic.twitter.com/ojIZconicS
19. Bountiful (4-2)
Owen Geilmam threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, and the Redhawks made sure Bonneville was undefeated no more after a 23-14 win for the No. 4-rated team in 5A in the official UHSAA RPI ratings.
20. Crimson Cliffs (5-1)
The top-rated team in 4A scored four first-half touchdowns, including Steele Barben's 253 yards and three scores, en route to a 41-8 rout of Cyprus.
Plus-1. Enterprise (6-0)
In a battle of 1A powers, Kyron Bracken ran for 94 yards and a touchdown, and Enterprise handed Kanab its first loss of the season 22-14 to emerge as the only undefeated team in 1A.
It's the best start in school history for the Wolves, who also got touchdowns from Ryker Phillips and Aiden Dougherty, and four double-digit tacklers in Austin Humphries (13), Dougherty (13), Sam Johnson (10) and Parker Holt (10).
Now the favorites in 1A 11-man football, Enterprise finishes the season against Water Canyon, North Sevier, Parowan and Milford.
