Good gracious! It’s football weather here in the mountainous desert that’s for sure. Chilly mornings, warm afternoons, and cool nights with the aroma of oak, Mesquite, and marshmallows coming from neighboring firepits tickling the nostrils. I love all parts of the year for what they are but when Fall comes back, it always reminds me that this is truly the best time of the year. To squander it with petty squabbles about things far out of our control would be a waste of a blessing that is given to each of us–to enjoy each present moment. In the immediate present–we have football.
This is Week 6 in the High School season, Week 4 in the Saturday Game, and Week 3 in the Grown Man’s game. It’s prime football season, so keep stopping by here to get a fresh perspective on the games, players, or stories I find interesting. One such game is this evening.
The football weekend kicks off in a few hours with only one 6A matchup on the docket.
(3-1) Lehi @ (4-1) Skyridge
UHSAA 6A Region 3
Only 3.1 miles separate these familiar foes. Lehi will be taking the short trip to Skyridge for each of these team’s first regional game. It also happens to be homecoming, so this game will matter to both sides and have plenty of juice especially in the beginning. Once the game settles, the question will be which team can play their style and dictate the pace. Lehi will want a low scoring game and Skyridge would prefer to score at least 40+.
So far this season, Lehi has only given up 7.7 points per game through four games and Skyridge has scored a whopping 52.6/ PPG through five games. Offense vs Defense. Who can control this game?
LEHI
Lehi surrendered nothing in their blowout win Week 1, nine in a Week 2 9-7 loss which had only three points scored in the second half, fourteen in Week 4, and only eight in Week 5.
This team is led by Linebacker Vince Evans, D-Lineman Briggs Love, and Defensive Back Murphy Madsen. Evans has recorded 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 INT. Briggs Love adds 17 Tackles and 2 sacks while Madsen has 16 tackles, 2 picks, and a defensive score. They will need to play their best in this game as they will be facing the best offense and QB they have seen so far.
SKYRIDGE
Skyridge scored 52 in Week 1, 45 in Week 2, 68 in Week 3, 70 in Week 4, and 28 in last week’s 51-28 road loss at Cherry Creek. Worth noting, Cherry Creek is the number one team in Colorado this season.
As mentioned, this team features the best QB Lehi will have faced this season. 6’4/ 205 Senior Kaneal Sweetwyne has scored 28 total TD’s so far this season. 21 passing and 7 rushing. I’m looking forward to watching him in person, but the stats on the page seem to point to the fact that he is a large human who understands the game and is a fearless competitor.
The Skyridge supporting cast goes as follows:
- RB Lincoln Tahi 5 Total Td’s
- RB Beckham Bennett 2 Td’s
- WR Talmage Oswald 4 Td’s
- WR Hunter Sheffield 4 Td’s
- WR Jaden Tahi is a freshman that seems to get used in the running game as he was second on the team in carries behind Sweetwyne last week in Cherry Creek.
Before moving on, I’d like to highlight a few Skyridge defensive impact players.
- LB Griffin Kunz 43 Tackles, 2 Sacks
- 15 Tackles against Cherry Creek
- LB Suka Finau 26 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks
- 10 Tackles vs Cherry Creek
- Safety Briggs Parker 18 Tackles and an INT
In reality, both of these teams simply want a win. The score won’t matter. These two teams play completely different styles. Which one wins? Offense or defense? Visitors or home team? Defense is on the road and defense always travels, but offense is at home where it will be comfortable and packed in their favor. I’ll take Skyridge to get to 5-1 and get ready for their road trip to Corner Canyon next week. Lehi doesn’t have the offensive power to score enough to win. I’m taking Skyridge 42-20.
Either way, tonight will be fun. You know why? Of course you do by now. I’ve written it many times. Because football is fun despite what Coach Boone tells Petey.
“Though the bird is on the wing/ And you may not know why/ Come on, people now/ Smile on your brother/ Everybody get together/ Try to love one another right now.”- The Youngbloods 1967 “Get Together”
Things are getting spicy in Region 3.
UHSAA 6A Region 3 Standings:
- Corner Canyon 5-0
- American Fork 5-0
- Lone Peak 4-1
- Skyridge 4-1
- Lehi 3-1
The toughest Region in UHSAA. The games over the next two weeks will shape the postseason picture for the first time. Let’s keep in clean, let’s pop the pads, and let’s have a good ball game. I’ll have my popcorn ready.
I’ll recap this game and the rest of the UHSAA 6A action across the valley in Sunday evening’s “General Update.”
I don’t write this enough but thank you for reading. Informative, inspirational, and puckish with a touch of dry is always my goal. This is all about fun. Why? Say it with me–Because football is fun.
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.