Estimated read time: 3-4 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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 — In the final game of the 2022 regular season, it ended in much the same way as the first three for Skyridge football's senior class: with a shutout.
Fitting for arguably the best defense in the state.
Trent Call threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another, and Tausili Akana, Smith Snowden and the third-ranked Falcons' defense did the rest in a 37-0 win over American Fork to clinch a 9-1 record Wednesday night.
"I think we did our job through the regular season," Skyridge coach Jon Lehman said. "We sustained some adversity through the middle part of the season when McCae (Hillstead) went out, and other injuries that everyone deals with all the time.
"But we sustained the adversity and just kept rolling forward. I'm proud of the way these guys stayed together."
On a night where offensive consistency was at a premium, Call found Josh Davis for a 4-yard score on the Falcons' second offensive series to go up 7-0, and the rest was gravy.
The junior backup thrust into the starting role after an injury to starter McCae Hillstead — who dressed but did not play with an ankle injury — connected with Trevin McClellan on a 50-yard strike late in the half, then led a four-play drive capped by Tate Walker's 3-yard touchdown run to take 20-0 lead into halftime.
"I thought Trent played a really clean game," Lehman said. "He really executed well, went through his read progressions, and got the ball where it needs to go. Our offensive line played really well.
"But defensively, our guys just flew around, communicated really well, and mixed in some different coverages, different fronts, and made a good, clean game."
Skyridge's defense did the rest.
The Falcons forced two turnovers and never let the Cavemen find comfort on offense. American Fork finished the second half with drives that ended in fourth-down turnovers four times, an interception by Brady Beers, and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Jace Doman to cap the scoring with just over three minutes remaining en route to the team's fourth shutout of the season.
In all, Skyridge is allowing just 8.4 points per game and has given up more than two touchdowns just twice — a 21-17 loss to Corner Canyon, the Falcons' only loss of the year, and a 31-30 road win over Lone Peak in Region 4 play.
"Keeping the zero" is a focus on the Skyridge defense.
"That's our main goal throughout the week, just perfection, stopping the offense and not letting points on the board," said Akana, the top-rated recruit in the state and leader from outside linebacker. "I'm happy that we did it tonight, and I'm excited to keep this season going."
Perhaps the loudest cheer of the night came when Lehman gave the team a four-day weekend — no practice until Monday — before the Falcons return to campus and focus on a likely first-round bye in the 6A state playoffs before a home game in the second round.
Defending home turf could play a significant role in returning Skyridge at least to the state semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the third-straight year.
But first thing's first …
"It's just a fun experience with these guys," Lehman said. "I'm glad to get a W so we can play a home playoff game, I'm going to assume, and we'll go from there.
"I love the way they compete, love the way they prepare, and love the way they love each other."
