KSL.com HS Football Top 20+1: Skyridge, Lone Peak honor fallen teammate, friend

SALT LAKE CITY — A lot was on the line when Skyridge football went to Lone Peak, looking to bounce back from the Falcons' first loss of the year a week prior.

None of that mattered before the game.

The Falcons and Knights united for a sobering 52-second moment of silence before kickoff Friday night in honor of Lone Peak's Carter Hult, an 18 year old from Lone Peak's Class of 2022 who died unexpectedly following a medical emergency Sept. 17, according to his obituary.

Called "Gentle Giant" and "Hulk" by his friends, Hult was called a friend to all and a three-year varsity starter on the Knights' footbal team who enjoyed film classes and placed fourth at a national broadcasting competition in fourth grade for a public service announcement he made called, "Be cool. Be kind," his obituary reads.

"He will be greatly missed by all who knew him," read a post on Skyridge's official football Twitter account after the game. "It was a sobering moment to hand his jersey back to his teammates and honor Carter during 52 seconds of silence. We send our love and condolences."

A celebration of life for Hult was held Sept. 26 near his home in Highland prior to interment at his final resting place at Highland City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.

Skyridge rallied to beat Lone Peak 31-30 to stay in the top-three of the KSL.com Top 20+1.

Here's the rest of the Top 20.

1. Lehi (8-0)

The Pioneers' explosive offense was replaced by a dominant defense, shutting out Alta 20-0 with Nathan Anderegg's 30-yard interception return for a touchdown on a night when Colorado State quarterback commit Jackson Brousseau threw for just 144 yards and an interception. Carson Gonzalez still ran wild for 70 yards on 14 carries including a 1-yard TD run int he first half that was the only offensive touchdown of the game.

"I tip my hat to Alema (Te'o, Alta head coach), his staff and his players for playing such a tough game," Lehi coach Ed Larson told the Deseret News. "They started their sixth string QB tonight. He did a great job of managing the game and kept our defense on the field too long tonight. I need to do a better job in preparing my team week in and week out. I'm thankful for the win and hope we learn a lesson from tonight."

2. Corner Canyon (6-2)

Isaac Wilson threw for three touchdowns, and Corner Canyon did all its scoring in the first half en route to a 52-14 rout of Westlake at home.

"Our team came out fast and played with urgency," Chargers coach Eric Kjar told the Deseret News. "Our execution on offense and defense was a step forward. Special teams came up with some big plays."

3. Skyridge (7-1)

The Falcons were 10 minutes away from a second-straight loss before Smith Snowden's 96-yard kick-return touchdown sparked a 21-0 run that included two touchdown runs by Tate Walker to edge Lone Peak, 31-30 on a special night for both teams honoring a fallen friend.

4. Timpview (6-1)

Helaman Casunga threw three touchdown passes, and Quezon Villa ran for 142 yards and two scores, and BYU commit Siale Esera and Isaiah Vaea each returned an interception for a touchdown to help the Thunderbirds survive a shootout with Orem, 62-42 and set up Thursday's critical Region 8 showdown with Lehi.

5. Bingham (6-2)

Dallen Martinez continued to impress, throwing for 112 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, and rnning for 156 yards and three scores en route to the Miners' 42-7 win over Copper Hills to stay unbeaten in Region 3.

6. Stansbury (8-0)

Luke Daynes ran for 70 yards and three touchdowns, and the Stallions continued to roll with a 49-7 rout of Mountain View to stay unbeaten.

7. American Fork (6-2)

Champion Edwards threw two touchdown passes, including one to Stanford commit Hunter Clegg, as the Cavemen shut out Pleasant Grove, 17-0.

8. Lone Peak (4-3)

Kaden Hodson threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a team-high 39 yards before the Falcons' stunning rally to hand the Knights a second-straight loss in region 4 play. Corner Canyon looms on Friday.

9. Farmington (7-1)

Josh Barker ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and Davis intercepted Farmington quarterback Easton Wight three times to hand the Phoenix their first loss of the season, 17-14 at Davis.

Gage Butler connected on a 30-yard field goal in the final minute to give the Darts (5-3) the upset in the final minute.

10. West (5-2)

The Panthers had a bye before. wrapping up the regular season Friday against Kearns and next Wednesday at Granger.

11. Springville (7-1)

The Red Devils racked up 702 yards of offense on 59 plays in a 74-20 rout of Maple Mountain, including 375 yards and three touchdowns from BYU commit Ryder Burton at quarterback and 168 yards and four total touchdowns from backfield mate Tevita Valeti.

12. Mountain Ridge (6-2)

Semisi Kinikini ran for 133 yards on 26 carries, and Jaxson Reiser added 68 yards and a touchdown in the Sentinels' win.

13. Brighton (7-1)

Kace Gurr bulldozed his way to 205 yards and four touchdowns as the Bengals clinched a region title with a 30-0 second half en route to a 47-33 win over Park City.

14. West Jordan (5-2)

The Jaguars blocked an extra point to take a 7-6 halftime lead against Mountain Ridge, but the second half belonged to the Sentinels with 9 unanswered points, including three field goals by Brody Laga.

15. Pleasant Grove (5-3)

The defense held American Fork to 17 points, but the Vikings' offense will need to show more in finishing the regular season against Skyridge and Corner Canyon.

16. Crimson Cliffs (7-1)

Steele Barben threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns, and McCord Christiansen ran for 122 yards and a score to help the Mustangs cruise by Pine View, 40-14 and set up next week's Region 10 heavyweight bout against Snow Canyon.

17. Morgan (8-0)

Nick Despain completed 62% of his passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 69 yards and two more scores in the Trojans' 38-20 win over previously unbeaten Grantsville.

18. Bountiful (6-2)

Brigham Morrison and Ford Creswell's pick six led a late 14-0 rally to help the Redhawks hold off Viewmont, 17-7 for their fifth-straight win.

19. Syracuse (6-2)

After an 0-2 start, the Titans rattled off their sixth win in a row with a 45-0 blowout of Fremont. Kobe Bennett, Josh Burns and Rhett Thompson combined for 113 yards and four touchdowns on the ground for Syracuse.

20. Riverton (5-2)

After clinging to a 14-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter, the Silverwolves used an 8-0 run without a touchdown (two field goals by Dylan Tuville and a safety) to hold off Herriman, 22-14 to set up a top-20 clash with Mountain Ridge next week.

Plus-1. Cottonwood (2-6)

The 5A independent Colts used an obscure rule to claim their second win of the season on Ryan Nielson's 45-yard fair catch kick with 12 seconds left for a 25-24 win over Jordan.

Down two in the final minute, Cottonwood downed a punt via fair catch with 12 seconds left, and by National Federation of High Schools rule, the Colts could take a free kick off a tee from the spot of the catch for a field goal (the opposing team must be lined up at least 10 yards beyond the spot of the ball for the kick, which can either be a place kick or a drop kick. In pro football, a tee cannot be used, but it is permitted at the high school level, according to the NFHS.

That set up Nielson's field goal from 45 yards out, booting it over the bar for the win.

"I love that our kids executed when it mattered and found a way to pull off a play we practice all the time, but have never had an opportunity in a game until tonight," Cottonwood coach Casey Miller told the Deseret News.

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