Falcons soar: Kaneal Sweetwyne leads the way in Skyridge’s 56-29 quarterfinal win over American Fork
-
- American Fork takes the field during Friday’s quarterfinal game versus Skyridge. November 7, 2025
-
- Skyridge quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne threw for over 400 yards in his team’s 56-29 win over American Fork
-
- Skyridge receiver Talmage Oswald celebrates the first of his three touchdowns scored in Friday’s 56-29 win over American Fork. November 7, 2025
-
- Skyridge defense put pressure on American Fork quarterback Nate Childs throughout Friday’s quarterfinal game. November 7, 2025
-
- Skyridge running back Lincoln Tahi celebrates after scoring a touchdown in his team’s 56-29 win over American Fork. November 7, 2025
-
- Skyridge defensive end Latu Moea’i was one of the key defenders in his team’s 56-29 win over American Fork in the 6A quarterfinal round. November 7, 2025
Skyridge football yet again cashed in on its quest for greatness, earning a sixth-straight trip to play at Rice-Eccles Stadium, which hosts the 6A state semifinals, with a resounding 56-29 win over American Fork.
Leading the way was senior quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne, who was challenged to throw for over 400 yards by coaches prior to the contest. He responded by tallying 403 yards and four touchdowns on 25-30 passing while adding 160 yards rushing and another touchdown on 15 carries.
Ever the athlete, Sweetwyne celebrated by performing a backflip on the field shortly after being the first Falcon player to congratulate and hug every American Fork player after the game.
“We just want to be great. That’s the motivation for us and now I have a chance to go back to Rice-Eccles for a fourth straight year since I’ve been here. It’s a true blessing,” Sweetwyne said. “We have to start fast and play our game, and be great. That’s what we did out here tonight and that’s the goal every week.”
Sweetwyne’s favorite target on Friday was receiver Talmage Oswald, who caught nine passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns. The senior wideout was looked for early and often, leading off the Skyridge scoring with a 13-yard touchdown reception before adding touchdown grabs of 70 and four yards. All three of Oswald’s touchdowns came in the first half as Skyridge built a commanding 35-10 lead at the break.
“Talmage is my dog. He’s always there to make big plays for us,” Sweetwyne said. “We hang out every day together, have class and then we make sure we spend a lot of time throwing after practice, so the connection I have with him is great.”
What Skyridge is doing offensively is indeed great. Entering the semifinal round the Falcons are clicking on all cylinders, scoring a 63-3 win over Copper Hills in the second round of the playoffs before providing Friday’s barrage of 56 points put on the scoreboard.
“All across the board we focus on doing our job,” said Skyridge Coach Justin Hemm when asked how his offense has proved so prolific in the playoffs. “When all 11 guys can do their job, it’s not always perfect, but you limit mistakes, you limit negatives and you stay in a positive situation. I think boys are being confident and doing their job.”
Lincoln Tahi again led the charge in the ground game, adding 69 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries as Skyridge saw many players rise to the challenge and roll past an otherwise stout and resilience Caveman team.
“All across the board we have guys at all the places that touches and have catches,” Hemm said. “We have three or four guys who have 30 plus catches on the year, right? So tonight it was (Oswald) who got the touches and made some big plays and the line protected and Kaneal was able to get him the ball.”
On the defensive side of the ball Skyridge proved stout throughout with three defenders, Jenaro Gilford Jr., Griffin Kunz and Suka Finau all logging a team-leading six tackles while making Caveman quarterback Nate Childs uncomfortable in the pocket throughout the 48 minutes of play.
As Hemm asserted, everyone stepped up big to earn the Falcons yet another trip to Rice-Eccles where they’ll meet up with Region 3 foe and nemesis Lone Peak, the same team that has ended their season in four of the last six years, which includes last season’s tough 28-21 decision in the 6A state semifinal round.
“It’s huge. the idea of playing at Rice-Eccles is always something you work for,” Hemm said. “…We’ll now reset and it’s another four-team quadrant that we’re looking at.”
Skyridge will square off against the Knights this coming Friday for the chance to meet up with the winner of Corner Canyon versus Mountain Ridge in the other 6A semifinal matchup.
