Note: Lone Peak finished with a 13-1 overall record in 2015 and was first in Region 4 with a 6-0 record. It lost to Herriman 17-14 in the 5A championship.
Lone Peak 2015 offensive and defensive stats
HIGHLAND — It's hard to get Lone Peak coach Mike Mower to point out individual players in any setting. Now in his fourth year coaching the Knights, Mower often grimaces when asked to highlight specific individuals on his football teams.
The reason is what he's learned during his long time as an assistant and then head coach — that it's the entirety of a football team that breeds success, not a few highlighted individuals.
Sure, it's a cliche used by many coaches, and Mower admits as much, but passionately talks about his team concept whenever the opportunity arises.
"You're only as strong as your weakest link," Mower said. "I know it sounds mundane, but it really is about the team and everyone coming together as one. When we're at our most successful, it's when the team has really come together to be coachable and play for each other."
It's the same mentality the Knights forged during their highly successful 2015 season, which came to a bit of a shocking end with an upset loss to Herrriman in the 5A state championship game.
"We want to build on the attitude we had last year and maybe have it end better for us this time around," Mower said. "That Herriman loss was heartbreaking, but it's done. It's ancient history as far as we're concerned. This is a new opportunity for them to forge their own time while keeping a lot of the same things that made last year's team so successful."
During offseason workouts, Mower has seen progress and good attitudes from his players.
"We have great kids here — kids who are willing to work within the system we have and work for one another," Mower said. "So as far as any lingering things left from last year's loss to Herriman — I haven't seen it so far. These kids want to form their own team, and what's done is done."
What isn't done is the prep careers of several prominent Lone Peak players, several who have college offers in hand. Committed to the BYU Cougars are standouts such as running back Jackson McChesney, offensive lineman Connor Pay, defensive end Preston Lewis and defensive back Ammon Hanneman.
Other key returning starters include offensive lineman Ethan Schofield, who has received a lot of college attention, and receiver Tyler McPherson.
"We don't have a lot of returning starters back, but we have some good ones who are really team leaders," Mower said. "I feel we also have a good amount of upcoming players who should work to do some great things and add a lot to the team chemistry."
Expected to replace quarterback Talmage Gunther is senior Dakota Hansen. Hansen is the younger brother of former Lone Peak star and current Utah safety Chase Hansen, and competed hard for the starting quarterback spot a year ago.
"I'm excited for the chance to play," Dakota Hansen said. "I have a chip on my shoulder coming back — I think we all do. I learned a lot from Talmage last year and I feel it's really helped me going in this year. I feel really comfortable with everything so far."
"I'm impressed with his leadership," Mower added of his assumed starter at quarterback. "He's dedicated and he has a great attitude. He's not a kid you worry about and we believe he can have a productive year for us."
As is often the case, Lone Peak will have available some of the best skill position players in the state. Add to that some very good talent returning at offensive line and it's easy to assume a lot of offensive production for 2016.
"We really like our offensive line," Mower said. "We feel we have some really good players returning there and it's very important to be strong at that position."
The defense lost a lot of starters from last season but does include the two Cougar commits mentioned along with other expected contributors such as defensive linemen Dallin Wake and Eli Norman, along with linebackers AJ Arrington and Connor Jeppesen.
Should the team mesh together, Mower believes the Knights have a chance to be right there at the end.
"You never really know how things are going to go until you get into the season," Mower said. "Things happen, kids don't respond like you think, and a lot of other things, so we'll just have to see how it works out. But I like what I've seen so far, and that has me optimistic about the potential."
Lone Peak Knights at a glance
Head coach: Mike Mower is in his fourth season as head coach after leading Lone Peak to a 26-12 record. He previously worked as an assistant at both Lone Peak and American Fork.
Offense (4 returning starters; spread offense)
Offensive coordinator: Bart Brockbank
Returning offensive starters
Jackson McChesney (RB)
Tyler McPherson (WR)
Connor Pay (OL)
Ethan Schofield (OL)
Defense (2 returning starters, 4-3 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Jared Harward
Returning defensive starters
Ammon Hanneman (DB)
Preston Lewis (DE)
Coaches' preseason Region 4 straw poll: First
Deseret News Region 4 prediction: First
Bottom line: Lone Peak has some of the best talent in the state and should be there at the end should things come together as expected. Look for the Knights to finish near the top, and likely the very top of Region 4 and make a subsequent deep run in the playoffs.
2016 schedule
Aug. 19 — at Bountiful, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26 — DIXIE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 — BINGHAM, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — at Pleasant Grove, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 — RIVERTON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — WESTLAKE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — at American Fork, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — at Lehi, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 — WOODS CROSS, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 — HERRIMAN, 7 p.m.
Felt's Facts for Lone Peak High School
All-time record: 160-66 (19 years)
Region championships: 12 (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 co, 2005, 2009-co, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 co, 2015)
Playoff appearances: 17
Current playoff appearance streak: 8 (2008-2015)
All-time playoff record: 26-16
State championships: 1 (2011)
State championship record: 1-3
Most played rivalry: 19 meetings with two schools, American Fork and Pleasant Grove, both dating back to 1997. Lone Peak leads American Fork 12-7 and Pleasant Grove 14-5.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Lone Peak is one of seven teams in state history to have a 14-0 record (2011). … Chase Hansen directed Lone Peak to its only state football title by compiling 475 yards of total offense, the second-most in championship-game history, in 2011.
Last 5
2015 — 13-1 (6-0 in Region 4 — 5A runner-up)
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)
Lone Peak coaching history
2013-current — Mike Mower (26-12)
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
2015 — Talmage Gunther (QB)
2015 — Terrence Levy (DL)
2015 — Seth Corry (DB)
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
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