north county

The Knights will open the region season at Timpanogos Friday at 7 p.m.

The Timberwolves got a lot of favorable notice before the season started, but their performance has been somewhat inconsistent during the preseason.

They barely escaped Lehi 21-16 in the first week, then failed to generate any offensive points against Provo in a 20-2 loss after that. Orem beat them handily 22-7, but then they upset undefeated Payson 24-10 last Friday.

So far, Ryan Clark and Sam Ashman have been carrying the rushing load. Quarterback Christian Stewart’s favorite targets to date are Nash Fowler and Stafford Strong.

“Timpanogos is big and fast and very talented,” said Lone Peak coach Monte Morgan. “This is the best team, personnel wise, that I have seen at Timpanogos.

“They are very aggressive on defense and blitz a great deal,” he went on. “Their defensive line is very athletic and will be difficult to block.

“We will have to get our running game going and will have to do things to take their aggressiveness away.”

There are other aspects of the game that also bear watching, according to Morgan.

“I am impressed with the T’Wolves special teams, too. They have very good team speed and a good kicker, which will be a factor.

“Offensively, they can run a power game and can throw the ball very well.”

In a six-team region, every contest is critical, and the Knights want to get their campaign off to a good start.

“I see keys to the game as being whomever can minimize turnovers and penalties will be in the driver’s seat,” Morgan said. “Execution and good tackling will also be very important.

“Finally, playing well on special teams will be a key. If we can make them have to go the length of the field each time they have the ball, we’ll have the advantage,” he concluded.

Lone Peak has given up 33 points in four games while scoring 95, and Timpanogos has managed to score 54 total while giving up 68 in four games.

This story appeared in North County on page A6.