Skyridge uses strong defense to stun top-ranked Lehi

LEHI — Kaneal Sweetwyne was part of the Skyridge boys basketball team that defeated a No. 1 Lehi Pioneers team in January.

On a windy Thursday night, he was the quarterback as the Falcons defeated their crosstown rivals – again – but on the football field.

Behind an unstoppable, rushing attack and a defense that simply wouldn’t let go of the Pioneers’ powerful passing attack, Skyridge (5-2, 2-0 Region 3) pulled off a 20-16 rout of No. 1 Lehi (in RPI) up front. from a raucous home crowd at Skyridge High.

Behind Oklahoma State-committed quarterback Jett Niu, Lehi (6-1, 1-1 Region 3) averaged 34.4 points per game through the first five games but was held under 20 points for the first time this season, thanks in large part to the Falcons’ defense.

That defense made two goal-line stops, forced a turnover at the 1-yard line late in the third quarter and stuffed vaunted Pioneer tailback DeVaughn Eka at the goal line on fourth down with less than six minutes remaining.

It was part of a larger defensive performance by Skyridge that limited Lehi’s offense to just 10 points on four Falcons turnovers, and held the Pioneers to just 1-of-5 in red zone scoring from touchdowns.

“We knew this was going to be a huge battle,” Falcons head coach Justin Hemm said. “It also sheds a lot of light on our community. When you look at the city of Lehi and us coming together, I’m so happy for our guys.”

The fight also came down to the line of scrimmage, where Skyridge Zaeden Selu and Jacob Iakopo seemingly ran at will all night, thanks to what Sweetwyne called “the best offensive line in the state,” which is the shortest of the bunch. 6-foot-3.

Selu punched in the first touchdown of the night on the Falcons’ first drive, before Sweetwyne ran in the game-sealing touchdown with under five minutes remaining to cap a 99-yard drive.

And that 99-yard drive? It was started by Skyridge’s defense keeping the Pioneers out on four straight plays at the goal line, including a repeat fourth-down loss after a defensive holding penalty gave Lehi another chance.

“They are definitely a key factor,” Sweetwyne said. “They’re always behind me, so I have to get behind them and go down and score.”

That defensively complementary style of football has led Skyridge to three key wins this season: a 41-26 thumping of Nevada power Liberty on the road, a 24-14 rout of Colorado’s top-ranked team, Cherry Creek, and now a stunner for one of the best teams in the state.

When asked what has made his team so special this season, Hemm said it is because his team is not only coachable and well-led, but also wants to be pushed and go outside of their comfort zone.

It’s what has made the Falcons one of the favorites to potentially go to Rice-Eccles Stadium and lift the 6A championship trophy in November.

“We have to keep our composure; we have to move on to the next part,” Sweetwyne said. “We have to hold on, especially next week against Lone Peak.”