Corner Canyon defense crushes Lone Peak in 6A semifinal win

SALT LAKE CITY — Corner Canyon’s defense showed up in a historic way against Lone Peak in the 6A state semifinals Friday.

The Chargers’ defense held the Knights to just seven points, the fewest points Lone Peak has scored since September 2014, when it scored six points against Herriman. 

“We practiced all week with really high intensity and we knew exactly what they were going to come out with and we just balled out on them.” — Corner Canyon’s Quinn Andra

“Defense was incredible. Our defense has been incredible like that all year. They’ve been really, really special. Our defensive coordinator does a really good job,” Corner Canyon head coach Eric Kjar said. 

Corner Canyon’s secondary was especially suffocating, picking off Lone Peak’s quarterbacks three times in the 34-7 Chargers win. Andrew McDonald had two and Quinn Andra had a pick-six.

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“They always do a really, really good job and they fly to the ball. Our coaches preach turnovers, big-time, they’re always preaching that to our kids and they want to fly around and get them. They get excited about getting them,” Kjar said. “Our coaches do a good job of instilling that in those guys. It was fun to watch. I was impressed with our defense and how well they played.”

The interception from Andra was his first of the season. Andra took the interception 22 yards to the house to put a bow on Corner Canyon’s dominant defensive performance. 

“It was awesome. Our whole team worked so hard and we were able to make plays like that,” Andra said.

• Watch replay: Corner Canyon 34, Lone Peak 7

The Chargers limited Lone Peak to 120 yards passing and 139 yards rushing. Ryan Cahoon forced a fumble, which was recovered by Joshua Wilson.

“First, we wanted to stop the run, and then we knew as soon as we stopped the run, then we’ve got to make some plays when they’re trying to pass the ball and get picks,” Andra said.

Corner Canyon’s defense shined bright in the red zone as well. The Chargers stopped the Knights in the red zone on three separate occasions. In the second quarter, following an interception, Lone Peak was on the Corner Canyon 16-yard line and knocking on the door, but an interception ended the drive. 

Corner Canyon also stuffed Lone Peak in the red zone twice in the fourth quarter, shutting the door for any potential Knights comeback. The Chargers held strong on fourth-and-3 from their own 11-yard line with 8:50 remaining in the final period. With 3:42 left in the fourth quarter and Lone Peak on the Chargers’ 20-yard line, Corner Canyon intercepted it again to put the game away.

“They were incredible down there. We kind of got stopped a couple times in there and they returned the favor to help us out, because they shut them down in the red zone. They did a great job,” Kjar said. 

Corner Canyon had intensity all week in the practices leading up to the semifinal game and that intensity translated to the field on Friday.

“We practiced all week with really high intensity and we knew exactly what they were going to come out with and we just balled out on them,” Andra said.