Salem Hills defense propels Skyhawks in season-opening rout of Granger
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- Salem Hills’ Austin Hicks makes a tackle in a game against Granger Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills’ Ty McBride runs the ball in the first half of a game against Granger on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills’ defense stops the run in the second half of a game against Granger Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills’ Gordon Wilson hauls in a reception in a game against Granger Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills quarterback Cash Hollingshead scores a touchdown in the first half of a game against Granger on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills’ defense stops the run in the first half of a game against Granger Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills quarterback Cash Hollingshead scores a touchdown in the first half of a game against Granger on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
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- Salem Hills quarterback Cash Hollingshead throws in the ball in the first half of a game against Granger on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Salem.
Hunting season started early for the Salem Hills defense in its inaugural football game of 2026 Friday night in Salem.
Ball hawking an underclassman Granger quarterback, the Skyhawks notched a trio of picks in the first half, one going for a touchdown and the other two leading to short fields for the offense to cash in on.
It was what Salem Hills needed to overcome a slow start from its offense, setting up a 27-0 halftime lead and ultimately a 41-7 win over 5A Granger.
“It’s just a big swing. It’s important for momentum, and we needed it,” Skyhawks head coach Jeff Higginson said. “Our offense was not moving it at will like we wanted. … And the defense really stepped up and did a nice job tonight.”
The pick-parade started on Granger’s first pass play of the game, when quarterback Paseni Makoni scanned to the right side of the field. Recognizing the play from film of a Granger preseason scrimmage, Salem Hills senior safety Lindon Woodland stepped into the passing lane and took it for six the other way.
“It was just surreal,” Woodland said. “I just caught the ball. It happened before I could think, and I just ran it down.”
Granger tested the forward pass again in the second quarter with a deep ball that was snatched up by senior and BYU commit Peyton Higginson, who brought it into the red zone. He followed that with another pick in Salem Hills territory that he returned nearly to the goal line.
All three were important plays, considering the Skyhawks’ anemic start on offense. Facing a large Granger front line, the offense struggled to find its footing, turning the ball over on downs twice and punting it away.
Salem Hills’s offense found a pulse following Higginson’s first interception, when senior quarterback Cash Hollingshead rushed for an 11-yard touchdown. They went on to score on four of their next five drives, punctuated in the third quarter with a pair of big plays.
Hollingshead had a designed forward pitch to Joe Hughes, who raced down the sideline for a 69-yard score. A possession later, Hollingshead reconnected with Hughes for a 36-yard touchdown on a deep ball.
Hollingshead finished the game 14-of-23 passing with a rushing touchdown and three passing touchdowns — all of which went to Hughes.
“They settled down, and Cash Hollingshead did a nice job bringing them down and sustaining some great drives there at the end,” Higginson said. “Joe Hughes was fabulous tonight, absolutely fabulous, and I was really proud of our offensive line. I was really proud of them because we were outnumbered in size. So they did a great job.”
Ultimately, however, it was the Salem Hills defense that set the tone, holding Granger to a single touchdown that came with the Skyhawks’ backups in.
Unsuccessful at passing the ball, the Lancers relied heavily on carries from senior Ethan Sam, but the hosting defense anticipated it, frequently meeting him at the line of scrimmage and limiting runs to the second level.
Higginson credited senior Maddox Haskell for anchoring the run defense, as well as the team’s collective effort.
“I thought everybody just played a great job,” he said. “They played disciplined. Stayed home. Played good football. That’s a good front line. That’s as good a front line as you’re going to run into. I mean, that’s a big physical group of players right there.”
He was pleased to start the year on a positive note.
“I’ve learned in this business that a win is a big deal, and they’re sometimes really hard to come by,” Higginson said. “And you know, the first one’s important, really important. And so I was proud of our guys for stepping up. We talked about that all summer, and so I was really proud of them.”
Salem Hills will visit rival Spanish Fork at 7 p.m. next Friday.
