High school football: Lone Peak’s fast start propels it to win over Orem

The Lone Peak Knights throttled the Orem Tigers Friday night in Highland, topping the Tigers 34-21 in a contest that the Knights led by double digits the majority of the evening.

“I like how we play well together,” Lone Peak head coach Bart Brockbank said. “We have a few things to clean up. … Our offense has done a really good job … leading out, scoring some points, putting pressure on the other team.”

The Knights put the pressure on early Friday, getting on the scoreboard in a hurry with a pick-six from junior defensive back Gabe Harmon on the Tigers’ first possession of the evening.

After forcing a three-and-out on Orem’s next drive, Lone Peak needed just one play for junior quarterback Cruz Christensen to find senior wide receiver Jaron Pula for an 82-yard touchdown, giving the home squad a quick 14-0 advantage.

“Starting (fast) gets the momentum going, especially at home,” Brockbank said. “The boys are … hopping around. I definitely think against other good teams you want to get out early on them, try to press them.”

The Knights did that, remaining in control of the game while making the most of their opportunities.

Lone Peak took a commanding 31-7 lead after scoring with under a minute to play in the first half and again when it got the ball to start the second half. The pair of scores came from its pair of senior running backs Tate Barney and Isaac Fonua.

The Knights ultimately punted just two times on the night, and ran out the clock riding a powerful run game for the better part of the fourth quarter.

“It’s a game changer when you can take the fourth quarter and start running the ball,” Brockbank said, before highlighting what he does to motivate his offensive line. “Up front I think our boys, they take it serious. They want to earn a steak dinner every week, and they get 200 yards, they get a steak dinner, so they take it serious and (the) run game’s huge.”

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Both teams easily won their opening contests a week ago by over four touchdowns. Friday was more competitive, but still quite comfortable for the Knights who have yet to face a deficit this season.

Orem cut into the Lone Peak lead late before the Knights’ run game took over. The Tigers got within striking distance on the first play of the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown on a 54-yard pass from senior quarterback Tayden Ka’awa to senior tight end Kai Wesley that brought the score to 31-21.

Lone Peak played keep-away from there though, protecting its lead while holding onto the ball for over 10 minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Knights added to their lead on a 39-yard field goal from senior kicker Jake Barker before forcing another Orem three-and-out on the Tigers’ final possession.

Next week, Orem hopes to have better luck when it travels to Idaho to face Rocky Mountain Friday evening. Lone Peak will play Timpview that same night in its first road contest of the season.

The games are both scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.