Ready, ready, already.
It’s prep football season once again and, to no one’s surprise, Skyridge joins other Region 4 heavyweights on the list of hopefuls for the 6A state crown.
In the preseason state polls, the Falcons came in just behind defending champion Lone Peak, followed by Corner Canyon, American Fork and Bingham. However, in the region voting, Skyridge and Corner Canyon tied for first with Lone Peak third and then American Fork, Westlake and Pleasant Grove.
Which just goes to show the point that it will likely be a battle between these top programs again and no one can really predict how it will turn out.
That said, the Falcons have one very important factor in their favor this season: experience. The program returns six offensive and 10 defensive starters from last year, while its top rivals will have to replace many more of their top producers starting in 2021.
Although the talent level in all of these programs is so high that advantage will likely diminish as the season progresses, so expect Skyridge to make the most of it early as Jon Lehman finishes his tenure as head coach while makes the transition to a new coach. as the school’s athletic director.
The Falcon hopes to rest squarely on the shoulders of three-year starting quarterback McCae Hillstead. A Utah State commit, the senior can run or pass with equal skill and Lehman calls him a “tough, talented leader.”
“He’s got the right mental make-up and he’s got a lot of experience, so he’s very confident coming into this season,” the coach said. “He’s got a lot of different looks and he’s got a lot of big-game experience, so he’ll be able to set us up. on offense. He’s also a great teammate with everything that comes with it.”
Lehman said he is pleased overall with his options and depth at the catcher positions. At tight end he has a pair of seniors. “Josh Davis is a long, athletic tight end who is comfortable apart from the formation and has good catch radius and good speed,” the coach said.
“Caleb Yentes is a physical tight end who can do a lot as a blocker. In the interior we have junior La’akea Kalama, a dynamic player with the ball in his hands who is also good with the material underneath”, he continued.
“On the outside, we have guys who can make plays and run our scheme,” Lehman said. He thinks he’ll rotate five or maybe even six at wide receiver spots. He expects the group to include seniors Jackson Andrus, Kyle Valdez, Trent Call and Cannon Jensen, who is returning from a summer injury.
Also on hand will be junior Jack Burke, who is also the backup quarterback. “These players are all good teammates who are mentally comfortable with the rotation,” the coach said. “They are all very talented and can make things happen for us.”
Earning the starting spot at running back is Tate Walker, last year’s leading punt returner. “He’s versatile and can do a lot of different things for us. He’s also a leader,” Lehman said. Junior Carter Sheffield is “a big kid who’s very physical and can do a lot of good things for us.”
Behind those two is a group that includes juniors Zaeden Selu and Trey Syddall and sophomore Jared Iakopo. “These guys have different skills,” the coach said. “They don’t have a lot of varsity experience, but I really like their talent.”
There is still a group of players competing for the kicking positions, but senior Ian Keeslar is leading the way for now. Hillstead may be one of the punters this year.
On the offensive line, sophomore left tackle Ben Howard is “so super talented with a high ceiling as a player. He’s got a good skill set and mentality,” Lehman said.
At left guard is senior Willy Launoa, at center is senior Garrett King, at right guard is senior Adam Stephens, who moved from center last season, and at right tackle is junior Ami Fifita. Sophomores Darius Afalava and Luke Davies are also expected to make big reps.
On the other side of the ball, senior Tausili Akana is slated to be a part-time defensive player who will also see some action as an inside and outside linebacker. Sophomore Deshawn Toilolo and junior Ian Mariner are other standout defensive linemen.
The Falcons have a tough group of linebackers returning in seniors Sione Westover, Collin Sheffield and Elijah Terripaia. They will be joined by senior Mason Anderson, who is new to the varsity game.
Lehman has five defensive backs he expects to get significant reps. Senior cornerback Jace Doman has been injured but is expected back soon. Senior Brady Beers will start at corner but will also rebound at safety.
Also at safety you’ll see seniors Dalton Young and Saxon Higbee. An additional corner will be familiar senior Smith Snowden, who has played a lot the past two years.
“Our offensive approach will be very similar to what we’ve used the last few years,” Lehman said. “We want to be balanced and have a lot of different packs that we can use in different types of games.
“If we’re winning by throwing 50 times or running 30-40 times, we’re going to attack defenses with the opportunities they present,” he added. “Having McCae allows us to be really dynamic, so we don’t have to be one-dimensional.”
Skyridge will open the season on the road Friday (Aug. 12) at Fremont. “They are very well coached and they compete,” Lehman said. “They are a great 6A school with a lot of talent and they are reloading.
“The first games are always a bit awkward because it’s a new team every year,” he continued. “The difference between a win and a loss lies in the uncertainties of the game and how you handle them.
“There is always a lot of discomfort and the challenge for our team is to be comfortable when uncomfortable things happen,” he added. “We expect our guys to play hard and do a lot of different things that will give us a chance to win.”
New hire Justin Hemm will lead the offense in preparation to take over the program as head coach at the end of this season. “He’s bringing a playbook and an organization that will have a big impact on the program and will be our biggest change,” Lehman said.
“He is a competitive guy who is well prepared and the kids have taken to him. He does organized training and works the players hard. Justin fits all of that and bringing him on now was to smooth the transition and set our program for future success.
“Having him here will be good for this year and for the future,” Lehman said. “A lot of times the perfect world doesn’t come together, but in this case it did.”
