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Skyridge rallies for stunning victory at Lone Peak

By Darnell Dickson - | Sep 30, 2022
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La'a Kalama of Skyridge (22) drags a tackler during a game against Lone Peak on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
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Lone Peak's Cooper Mumford walks on the football field with his parents during Senior Night on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
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The Skyridge defense sacks Lone Peak quarterback Kaden Hodson during a high school football game on Friday. Sept. 30, 2022.
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Lone Peak players congratulate teammate Crew McChesney (3) after he scored a touchdown against Skyridge in a high school football game on Friday. Sept. 30, 2022.
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La'a Kalama of Skyridge (22) gets taken down by Lone Peak's Alex Passey (2) and Tyler Denney during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Trailing Lone Peak 30-10 early in the fourth quarter, Skyridge desperately needed someone to make a big play.

Step forward, Smith Snowden.

The Falcons senior is one of the top recruits in the state, but as a cornerback. On Friday, he made huge contributions in all three phases of the game, including an electrifying 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that sparked a fourth quarter comeback for the ages.

Skyridge scored 21 straight points in the final quarter and rallied for an improbable 31-30 victory.

“The second half was a game changer for us,” Snowden said. “It was fun tonight. I got to play some offense and make some contributions.”

Cole Christensen scored a pair of second half touchdowns and his 39-yard catch-and-sprint through the Falcons secondary pushed Lone Peak to a 30-10 lead with 10:53 left to go.

That’s when Snowden made the play of the game, taking the ensuing kickoff at the 4-yard line, slipping through one tackle and flying past defenders all the way to the end zone to cut the deficit to 30-17.

“I’ve been waiting for that all season,” Snowden said. “They just gave me a chance. They gave it to me and when I got the ball I knew it was going to happen. I just knew I was going to go to the house.”

After forcing a punt, Skyridge scored again, getting a big catch from Jace Doman with a roughing the passer penalty tacked on to reach the Lone Peak 5. Two plays later, Tate Walker burrowed into the end zone on a 3-yard run and the Falcons trailed 30-24 with 6:58 to play.

On the Knights next possession Collin Sheffield made his second interception of the night to give Skyridge the ball at the home team’s 29-yard line. A pass interference penalty and a big third-down conversion from Trent Call to La’a Kalama set up Walker’s 4-yard scoring run. Ian Keeslar’s point after gave the Falcons a 31-30 lead with 4:35 remaining.

Lone Peak thought it had reclaimed the lead moments later when Christensen broke free and raced 51 yards to paydirt on a pass from Rome Engemann, but the Knights were hit with an offensive pass interference penalty as well as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, pushing them all the way back to their own 19-yard line.

On fourth-and-31 with just over two minutes remaining, a hook-and-ladder play got the ball into Crew McChesney’s hands but he was tackled far short of the first down. Skyridge was able to run out the clock from there to preserve the victory.

“This win helps us with our record and with the RPI,” Falcons coach Jon Lehman said. “But ultimately with the regular season, it’s about getting tested and it’s about getting stronger. And it’s hopefully about reaching your peak when you get to the end of the season, then to make a run through the playoffs and win playoff games. You have to have guts. You’ve got to be tough and really believe in each other.”

Lone Peak dominated the first half, thanks to a 25-yard McChesney touchdown reception and three Ian Sanchez field goals, two of more that 50 yards. His 56-yard bomb to end the half gave the Knights a 16-3 lead at the break.

“We had some things we needed to fix after what happened in the first half,” Snowden said.

Skyridge put Snowden at wide receiver on its first possession of the second half. He made two big catches and also drew a pass interference penalty, setting up the Falcons first touchdown of the game on an 18-yard pass from Call to Doman.

“Smith did everything for us,” Lehman said. “He’s a real tough-minded kid. Smith plays his best in the biggest moments and when things are toughest. He always has and he always will.”

Skyridge, the No. 3 team in the 6A RPI, is 7-1 overall and 2-1 in Region 4 play. They will travel to Pleasant Grove next Thursday. Lone Peak (4-3, 1-2, No. 5 RPI) will host Corner Canyon.

Skyridge 3 0 7 21 — 31

Lone Peak 7 9 7 7 — 30

LP-Crew McChesney 25 pass from Kaden Hodson (Ian Sanchez kick)

SR-Ian Keeslar 33 FG

LP–Sanchez 31 FG

LP-Sanchez 54 FG

LP-Sanchez 56 FG

SR-Jace Doman 18 pass from Trent Call (Keeslar kick)

LP-Cole Christensen 27 pass from Hodson (Sanchez kick)

LP-Christensen 39 pass from Hodson (Sanchez kick)

SR-Smith Snowden 96 kickoff return (Keeslar kick)

SR-Tate Walker 2 run (Keeslar kick)

SR-Tate Walker 4 run (Keeslar kick)

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