SALT LAKE CITY — A different approach yielded largely the same result for Corner Canyon in its 34-7 win over Lone Peak in the 6A semifinal round on Friday.
With star running back Austin Bell sidelined with injury, the onus was put on Charger quarterback Cole Hagen and the passing attack to take the lead and produce against the Knights’ aggressive defense.
“He’s a battler — a really tough kid, and he always does that. He’s Mr. Consistency.” — Corner Canyonn coach Eric Kjar, on Cole Hagen
Hagen and company didn’t miss a beat.
Hagen finished with 280 yards passing and three touchdowns, while running for another 120 yards on just 14 carries and another touchdown.
“He played really, really good,” said Corner Canyon coach Eric Kjar. “He’s a battler — a really tough kid, and he always does that. He’s Mr. Consistency.”
It didn’t take Hagen to get going, either.
On the game’s first play from scrimmage, the senior quarterback found receiver Talmage Handley open on a fly route and the placed the ball perfectly, enabling Handley to catch it in stride and coast 80 yards for a touchdown. It wasn’t exactly what Corner Canyon had scripted going in, but it worked out perfectly given what Lone Peak’s defense was presenting.
“Coach Kjar just saw what they were lined up in and we just went for it,” Handley said. “Anyone could have gotten it. All of our receivers are amazing and we just go out there and have fun.”
It was the type of charge Corner Canyon lacked in the first meeting with Lone Peak this season, when it needed a late score to come out on top.
“For us, it just gave us momentum early and it just showed that we were going to be aggressive the whole game,” Hagen said.
Despite an aggressive mindset, the Chargers weren’t able to put on additional points until just 27 seconds remaining in the first half when Hagen found John Glavine for a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 13-0 lead into the half. The lead could have been a lot more, but two failed field goal attempts on top of two turnovers kept the game close.
Defensively, the Chargers limited the Knights to just 105 yards of total offense while forcing two turnovers themselves to aid the offense considerably.
“Our defense has been incredible like that all year,” Kjar said. “Our defensive coordinator does a really, really good job and our defense has been solid since I’ve been at Corner Canyon and has really led our team.”
Handley struck again midway through the third quarter, this time taking in a 57-yard pass from Hagen to give the Chargers a comfortable 20-0 lead.
- Watch replay: Corner Canyon 34, Lone Peak 7
Lone Peak did manage a score at the start of the fourth quarter off a 2-yard touchdown run by Nate Ritchie, but it didn’t take Corner Canyon long to answer. Yet again it was Hagen, this time taking advantage of Lone Peak’s aggressive defensive front in faking a handoff and then going around the end of a beautifully-executed 57-yard touchdown run on the next possession.
“Coach Kjar is the best coach I’ve had and he knows the game of football inside and out — better than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Hagen said of the play-call which gave way to his scoring run. “It was more of a designed pull because of how (Lone Peak) plays our zone read, so we were expecting their defensive end to crash there.”
As for Kjar, he gave credit to Hagen and his teammates, knowing the offense had to supplement effectively for the loss of Bell.
“We had to change our focus a bit offensive, but I’m so proud of how our kids stepped up,” Kjar said.
Hagen’s touchdown run pretty much put the game on ice before Quinn Andra added a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown for the final 34-7 score.