The Skyridge Falcons are presented with a trophy after they won against the Lehi Pioneers in a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Carson Hilton has covered high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News since 2022.
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The score might not seem like it, but Skyridge’s defense did considerably more than enough to win its rivalry game with Lehi Thursday night on the road.
The Pioneers kept the game close thanks to both a pick-six and a kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Falcons’ defense made sure that it didn’t break them, as Skyridge took the 28-20 road win.
“The game is what it is because of the defense,” said Skyridge coach Justin Hemm. “We have two non-offensive touchdowns by Lehi, and defense did a tremendous job all night long of forcing them into third (down) and longs.”
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Skyridge Falcons wide receiver Dax Rehrer (2), center, and teammates celebrate winning against the Lehi Pioneers in a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons wide receiver Dax Rehrer (2), center, and teammates celebrate winning against the Lehi Pioneers in a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons head coach Justin Hemm, center, is presented with a trophy after the Skyridge Falcons won against the Lehi Pioneers in a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons linebacker Rex Caswell (8) holds the trophy as he and teammates celebrate winning against the Lehi Pioneers in a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Skyridge Falcons are presented with a trophy after they won against the Lehi Pioneers in a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers cheerleaders cheer during halftime performances during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers cheerleaders watch a burrito eating challenge at halftime during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi High School student Avery (Tuk) Howe puts his fist in the air after winning a burrito eating challenge at halftime during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons Daison Merrill (6) reacts to a holding penalty during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons wide receiver Omarian Sanders (1) scores a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers running back Cam Bryce (0) scores a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers running back Cam Bryce (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons Steeler Wesley (5) runs down the field during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers tight end Zeke Clements (5) runs down the field during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi students cheer before a a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Lehi Pioneers run on the field before a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons defensive back Bryson Mears (12) tackles Lehi Pioneers running back Cam Bryce (0) during a cross-town rivalry high school football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers quarterback Briggs Jensen (11) throws the ball during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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People watch a cross-town rivalry high school football game between the Lehi Pioneers and Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers cheerleaders walk to the field before a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons running back Beckham Bennett (4) runs the ball during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers offensive lineman Ike Jeppesen (75) prays before a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers wide receiver Beckham Cluff (13) misses a pass during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons running back Beckham Bennett (4) is tackled during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons wide receiver Malosi Shepard (14) gets another down for the Skyridge Falcons during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons quarterback Jagger Fountaine (3) gets another down for the Skyridge Falcons during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge students cheer for the Skyridge Falcons during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge students cheer during a cross-town rivalry high school football game between the Skyridge Falcons and Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers offensive lineman Micah Bateman (62) looks off after the Lehi Pioneers scored a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Lehi Pioneers celebrate after scoring a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons Daison Merrill (6) celebrates during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers wide receiver Cam Wren (1) runs to score a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers wide receiver Cam Wren (1) celebrates with fans on the endzone after scoring a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Fans exit the stadium during a lightning delay during a cross-town rivalry high school football game between the Lehi Pioneers and Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Fans take cover using umbrellas during a lightning delay during a cross-town rivalry high school football game between the Lehi Pioneers and Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons quarterback Jagger Fountaine (3) throws the ball during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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The Lehi drill team performs during halftime during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Skyridge Falcons wide receiver Omarian Sanders (1) runs to score a touchdown during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Lehi Pioneers at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Brighton Gardner, Lehi High School student and president of the Lehi High School drill team, right, hugs another member of the drill team on the field at halftime after Gardner was recognized as Homecoming Queen during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Brighton Gardner, Lehi High School student and president of the Lehi High School drill team, center, waits to go on the field at halftime to be recognized as Homecoming Queen during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers cheerleaders cheer during halftime performances during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
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Lehi Pioneers cheerleaders cheer during halftime performances during a cross-town rivalry high school football game against the Skyridge Falcons at Lehi High School in Lehi on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The first half was a gritty one by Lehi. Each time Skyridge found the end zone, Lehi answered back in an unconventional way.
After Skyridge’s Jagger Fountaine scored the opening touchdown on a quarterback keeper, Lehi’s Paul Unga later picked him off and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.
Then after a 54-yard bomb from Fountaine to Omarian Sanders for a touchdown in the second quarter, Lehi’s Cam Wren returned the ensuing kickoff for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Even when Skyridge marched down to the five-yard line at the tail end of the first half, Lehi’s defense kept it out of the end zone to get into halftime with a 14-14 tie despite the offense not scoring a single time.
“Lehi came out extremely prepared, played an excellent game,” Hemm said. “(Pioneers head coach Andy) Hadfield had those guys ready.”
Out of the half, Fountaine just kept going. Despite the pick-six earlier in the game, he stayed aggressive and got Skyridge on the board early in the second half.
But Lehi answered yet again. This time, it was finally the offense’s turn to get on the action as Cam Bryce scored what looked to be the equalizer, but a bobbled ball on the extra point attempt forced Lehi to try to run it, but Skryidge was all over it.
After that touchdown, the Skyridge defense shut the door. Whether it was sacks, tackles for loss or pass breakups, the Falcons were everywhere.
Then, the cherry on top was another 54-yard touchdown pass from Fountaine to Malosi Shepard to top off the night.
Fountaine undoubtedly had a strong performance aside from the interception, but he got a lot of help from his offensive line. He wasn’t sacked once Thursday night, which gave him plenty of room to operate.
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“O-line had a great night,” Fountaine said. “I was kind of dealing with an ankle (injury), and these guys protected me. So they were blocking up front, and then receivers were making plays for me, and we went into the locker room at the half, and we were like, ‘Don’t panic, we’re gonna do our job and the big plays will happen.’”
After opening the season with a 41-26 loss to Mountain Ridge, the Falcons have now won five consecutive games, four of which now have been one-possession games after Thursday.
“Going through this grind and being in multiple games, the one-score games, it’s five (games) now where it’s fourth quarter execution, all those things,” Hemm said.
“I think at the end of the day it brings these guys closer, just trusting the unit, trusting the guy next to them and each guy kind of doing their job and executing.”
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