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Isaac Terrell sets tone as Lehi football’s defense shuts down Salem Hills

By Jared Lloyd - | Aug 20, 2021

Lehi junior defensive end Isaac Terrell sacks Salem Hills quarterback Luke DeGraffenried during the nonregion game at Lehi on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

When the Lehi football team finished its postgame huddles Friday night at Lehi, Pioneer junior defensive lineman Isaac Terrell didn’t go hang out with friends or family.

No, the athlete in the purple No. 99 jersey jogged to the far side of the field and started gathering up the yard markers to get them put away.

A casual observer might have thought Terrell had spent most of the game relaxing on the sideline instead of terrorizing the Salem Hills backfield.

But that’s just who Terrell is.

“If you give 100% in life, it’s easier to give 100% on the football field,” Terrell said.

His all-in effort during the nonregion game against the Skyhawks was part of an impressive defensive performance by Lehi. The Pioneers only gave up one first down in the first half and never let Salem Hills get going during the 30-7 Lehi win.

“We came together as a brotherhood and as a unit,” Terrell said. “Everyone did their jobs. The guys upfront and I kept containment, the linebackers filled the gaps and the defensive backs were great in coverage. The defense went all out.”

Pioneer head coach Ed Larson had a lot of confidence in his defense, as evidenced by his decision early in the game to go for it on multiple fourth-and-long situations. When the Lehi offense didn’t convert, the Pioneer defense stepped in and kept the Skyhawks from capitalizing on the good field position.

“The defense played lights out last week and they played lights out again this week,” Larson said. “They have to carry us while the offense figures things out.”

Having a player like Terrell charging off the edge and chasing down quarterbacks and running backs certainly makes a big difference.

“He’s a tremendous player,” Larson said. “He’s got the motor of 10 guys. It’s unbelievable the way he goes. He’s tough to block and I’m excited about his growth.”

Terrell credits his aggressive, attacking mentality to his desire to reach his personal goals.

“I’m driven because I want to play Division-I football,” Terrell said. “Every time I go to practice, I know I have a dream. The only way to get to be great is to give 100%.”

Although Terrell and the Lehi defense did an excellent job stymying the visitors from Salem Hills, the Pioneer offense struggled enough in the early going to give the Skyhawks hope.

Lehi started the game with three straight turnovers on downs before Pioneer junior running back Carson Gonzalez found a crease in the Salem Hills defense and raced 45 yards for the first score of the game.

Gonzalez’s running was huge for the home team, especially since the pass game wasn’t clicking.

“We made too many mistakes,” Larson said. “For a few series I canned the pass game because we weren’t protecting well enough. Things started to come together later in the game but we are two games in now. We can’t have those errors.”

Lehi tacked on a field goal by senior Zane Goodrich to build a 9-0 lead at the half, then came out stronger after the break.

The Pioneers scored on a pair of TD passes from junior quarterback Jackson Brousseau, one to senior wide receiver Jaxon Christensen (17 yards) and one to junior Kadiyon Sweat (65 yards) Sweat would also cross the goal line on a two-yard end run to finish the scoring.

Lehi nearly had the shutout but Salem Hills forced a Pioneer fumble late in the game, then backup quarterback Jackson Nelson lobbed a fade to the end zone where Skyhawk senior wide receiver Jackson Eyre won the jump ball for the only score of the contest for the visitors.

While it was nice for Lehi to get its first win of the season, the Pioneers have tough challenges ahead. That’s why the coaches and players know there is still a lot to work on.

“Every week we have to have higher desire to get better,” Terrell said. “We challenge each and have to come together. Hopefully we can continue to improve.”

Lehi (1-1) next plays against Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in Rexburg on Aug. 28, while Salem Hills (0-2) will look to get things going when it hosts Juab on Aug. 27.

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