After second round losses in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and a tough 12-10 loss to Bingham in the opening round in 2024, Skyridge looked to finally be ready to break through last season.

The Falcons were 19-0 but an 11-10 overtime heartbreaker to Davis in the 6A semifinals dashed their hopes.

This year, however, was going to be different.

“Because of the age of the group last year, I think I felt like we were still about a year ahead of where we needed to be,” Skyridge head coach Bart Butterfield said. “I was really kind of targeting this year, but last year they played phenomenal all year long. It’s really tough to do what they did over 19 games, and then to come up short against a very, very talented, senior-laden Davis team. It wasn’t unexpected, but it was still painful. But the guys responded.”

He talked about how the returning Falcons worked hard throughout the year to be ready — and when they got their shot Wednesday in the 6A semifinals against Farmington at Dumke Field in Salt Lake City, they made the most of it.

Skyridge jumped ahead early, weathered a Phoenix rally and stayed the course to secure the 14-10 win and a spot in the championship.

“We watched a lot of Farmington and knew what they did against good teams,” Butterfield said. “There was a really high level of respect for them going into the game. I think we had a good game plan, as far as managing pace of the game, and really kind of valuing possession more than early points. We did get out to an early lead and it just made it easier for us to kind of manage clock and be really smart with those possessions.”

The Falcons scored three quick goals before the fans got settled in and led 5-2 after the first quarter, but Farmington rallied and was only down 7-6 at halftime.

Butterfield wasn’t concerned, though since he felt like his squad could do more to limit the Phoenix attack.

“We’ve got a lot of experience on this team,” Butterfield said. “They put six goals on the board at that point, but only one of those goals came against settled defense. Everything else was in transition. It was easy for us to just pick on the one thing where we were really struggling and then kind of patch the spots where it was going wrong.”

He credited his players for staying patient, forcing Farmington to work hard for everything and taking advantage of opportunities.

The result was a comfortable lead for Skyridge as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

“I am probably the most emotional guy on our coaching staff and I think the players appreciate it because they understand really quickly that there’s somebody who is just as committed to their success as they are,” Butterfield said. “That final whistle for us was the signal that we can kind of let the guard down, let some emotions out. We could express some gratitude for things going our way, and when things were not going our way for having the presence of mind to play through it. If these guys learn nothing about lacrosse from us forever, if they learn how to be composed in a difficult situation, then we’ve made some really great kids.”

Now the Falcons prepare to face Region 3 foe Corner Canyon, which beat Mountain Ridge 22-3 in the other semifinal.

“I don’t know that there’s a secret sauce for beating Corner,” Butterfield said. “I think obviously you’ve got to limit the number of mistakes that you make because they’re a team that’s shown that they can capitalize.

Playing really consistent and patient offense is probably going to be the No. 1 thing that you can look back on every team that had success against them. They’ve been willing to possess the ball, make the defense work, get them a little tired, and then only take the best shots. They’re dangerous enough on offense that you don’t need to make their life any easier by giving them an easy save and a quick outlet into a fast break. That’s tough to defend.”

Skyridge will play the Chargers for the 6A title at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday at 4 p.m.