Note: Lone Peak finished with a 5-6 overall record in 2014 and fourth in Region 4 with a 3-3 record. It lost to Hunter 43-20 in the 5A first round.


Lone Peak 2014 stat recap

HIGHLAND — Lone Peak had its share of ups and downs in 2014, but it's the ups the team is trying to retain and parlay into better success in 2015.

The 2014 Knights team featured a lot of inexperience and subsequent struggles at the start of the year. The good news is the team largely worked through those struggles to finish 2014 strong and with a postseason berth.

"I was really proud of the guys and the job they did," said Lone Peak coach Mike Mower. "We battled back after a very rocky start in region. I think the guys learned a lot about adversity, and I feel that could really benefit us this year."

Those players agree with their coach's assessment.

"There was a lot of learning last year and it helped the guys coming back get closer," said senior linebacker and fullback Britton Betteridge. "There's so much unity on this team now, and that's going to be the biggest difference from last year."

Betteridge will help lead a promising defense that includes himself and linebacker Michael Cannon as returning starters. The secondary features players such as Lennon Fotu and Seth Corry, among others who have shown promise.

On the defensive line, Lone Peak is relatively inexperienced but showing promise.

"We brought in a great defensive line coach — Ryan Denney over from Timpview — and he's doing some great things with the players there," Mower said. "We're excited with what he's doing, and then we have Brian Hansen coaching linebackers, so we're excited about the progress we're already seeing on the defense."

On offense, the Knights will feature some of the state's best skill position players, which include junior speedster Jackson McChesney, Jonny Christensen, Todd Pasket and Tyler Kap.

"Our strength will be the guys playing at receiver and at running back and getting those guys the ball in space," Mower said. "We've been blessed to have some great receivers and running backs here at Lone Peak, and this year we look strong as well."

At quarterback, Mower is deciding primarily between senior Talmage Gunther and junior Dakota Hansen.

"Gunther did an outstanding job for us, and he can help out at other positions as well," Mower said. "Dakota is coming on, and we'll use both of them. We're just deciding now who we'll start at the quarterback position, but both of those guys will play and help us out a lot. They're both great athletes."

The key for the offense will be forging an effective offensive line among a relatively inexperienced and undersized group.

"I really like the attitude of our offensive linemen, the work they're doing and the potential," Mower said. "I've seen a lot of progress, and they're a group of kids that I think can form into a really good unit for us."

The goal for Lone Peak will be to finish on top of a tough Region 4 after seeing rival American Fork take the crown a year ago. Doing as much won't be easy considering the strength and depth of what many consider the state's toughest region.

"We love playing in Region 4 because it is so challenging," said Betteridge. "We wouldn't have it any other way. You want to play against top competition and we get to play really good teams to test ourselves against every week. I love it."

"From what I've heard, and what I know from myself, we won't have an easy game on our region schedule," Mower said. "But we're used to that, and we like that it's that way here. You better be ready, you better be prepared every week or you're going to get burned."

Lone Peak Knights at a glance

Head coach: Mike Mower is in his third season as head coach after leading Lone Peak to a 13-11 record. He previously worked as an assistant at both Lone Peak and American Fork.

Offense (6 returning starters; spread offense)

Offensive coordinator: Brock Bank

Returning offensive starters

Talmage Gunther (QB)

Jackson McChesney (RB)

Tyler Kap (RB)

Ethan Schofield (OL)

Jonny Christensen (WR)

Todd Gaskett (TE)

Defense (4 returning starters, 4-3 defense)

Defensive coordinator: Jared Harward

Returning defensive starters

Lennon Fotu (DB)

Seth Corry (DB)

Britton Betteridge (LB)

Michael Cannon (LB)

Coaches preseason Region 4 straw poll: Second

Deseret News Region 4 prediction: First

Bottom line: Lone Peak took plenty of lumps last year, which should serve the team well in 2015. Blessed with play-makers at receiver and at running back, the Knights should prove to have one of the state's better offenses should the offensive line prove adequate. Defense is also due for some improvement, which should put Lone Peak back as a top Region 4 contender.

Last 5

2014 — 5-6 (3-3 in Region 4 – 5A first round)

2013 — 8-5 (4-2 in Region 4 – 5A semifinals)

2012 — 10-3 (4-1 in Region 4 – 5A semifinals)

2011 — 14-0 (5-0 in Region 4 – 5A champions)

2010 — 11-2 (6-0 in Region 4 – 5A semifinals)

Lone Peak coaching history

2013-current — Mike Mower (13-11)

2008-2012 — Tony McGeary (51-13)

1997-2007 — Monte Morgan (86-51)

Deseret News Mr. Football recipients

2011 — Chase Hansen, QB

Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years

2012 — Talon Shumway, WR

2012 — Josh Buck, LB

2011 — Connor Humphrey, WR

2011 — Curtis Taufa, LB

2011 — Micah Hannemann, DB

2011 — Zach Saunders, SP

2009 — Kyson Flake, LB

2006 — Preston Yates, OL

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2005 — Jordan Stephan, DB

To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.

Email: bgurney@desnews.com

Twitter: @BrandonCGurney

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