1/10

Skyridge players tackle a Westlake ball carrier during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

2/10

Skyridge senior tight end Teagan Calton catches a touchdown pass during the 6A second round game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Skyridge players tackle a Westlake ball carrier during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Skyridge quarterback McCae Hillstead passes the ball as the Westlake defenders fight on the line during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday, October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

5/10

Westlake players tackle a Skyridge receiver during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

6/10

Skyridge Junior Wide Receiver Smith Snowden reaches for a deep pass during the 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

7/10

Westlake quarterback Derek Anderson throws the ball while Skyridge defenders apply pressure during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

8/10

A Skyridge player catches a touchdown pass during the 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Skyridge players prepare to take the field during the 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

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Westlake head coach Louis Wong and Thunder players leave the field at halftime in the 6A second round match against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)


Skyridge players tackle a Westlake ball carrier during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Skyridge senior tight end Teagan Calton catches a touchdown pass during the 6A second round game against Westlake in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Skyridge players tackle a Westlake ball carrier during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Skyridge quarterback McCae Hillstead passes the ball as the Westlake defenders fight on the line during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday, October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Westlake players tackle a Skyridge receiver during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Skyridge Junior Wide Receiver Smith Snowden reaches for a deep pass during the 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Westlake quarterback Derek Anderson throws the ball while Skyridge defenders apply pressure during the 6A second round game in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

A Skyridge player catches a touchdown pass during the 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi on Friday, October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Skyridge players prepare to take the field during the 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)

Westlake head coach Louis Wong and Thunder players leave the field at halftime in the 6A second round match against Skyridge in Lehi on Friday October 29, 2021. (Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald)


It is special for a defense to force five losses of the ball in one game.

If a team plays four passes and re-establishes a fumble in the first half – including a return for a touchdown – victory is almost guaranteed.

That’s exactly what the Skyridge Defense did in Friday’s 6A second round match against Westlake in Lehi, bringing the Falcons 51 points ahead at break. Skyridge then crossed to a 58-14 win over the Thunder and advanced to the 6A quarterfinals.

“We wanted to consolidate our focus and intensity after having had so much free time since week 10 of the regular season,” said Falcon head coach Jon Lehman. “I was very pleased both with our offensive execution, which was very efficient in the first half, and with the way we defensively created takeaways. We decided who we wanted to be in all three phases of the game. “

He said he was thrilled with the way his defense played throughout the game as they played at a high level like all year.

“Food stalls are the key,” said Lehman. “You just never get into a flow for the opposing offensive. The sales create an odd flow in the game, so we weren’t in the field much. “

He said it was great to see his team take control early and build a big head start.

“It was important for us to take control to get into the rhythm after the break,” said Lehman. “But Westlake also played a great game against Roy last week. I thought they were by far the better team at the game. They came into the game with a lot of energy and self-confidence after this win, so it was important for us to establish ourselves early and play our style of play. “

The first Westlake points came after an interception in the fourth quarter by Thunder Junior linebacker Chanse Miller, which he returned to the end zone for a touchdown. The visitors also added a late touchdown pass.

The rest of the game belonged to the Falcons, who marched up and down at will in the first half. They repeated their feat when the two teams faced each other in the regular season, a game Skyridge won 44-2.

Though Westlake would have liked a more favorable result, Thunder defensive coordinator Vili Halisima said he was proud of the way the team had fought throughout the year.

“I like the way we fought, but the kinds of mistakes we make in the region don’t allow these teams,” said Halisima. “Hopefully we can turn this page and that taught us a lesson. These teams will uncover the smallest things. We definitely didn’t want to go out like this, but we definitely have to clean up a few things. “

He hopes the underclassmen can build on the good things and come back even stronger in 2022.

“We have to go to the weight room,” said Halisima. “We have taken some steps in the right direction in this area this year, but it has to get bigger. We have to put that in the foreground. Region 4 is like Goliaths out here so we have to work on it in the off-season. I think this young group now has a good idea of ​​it. “

Skyridge, number 3 in 6A, now turns her attention to battling Farmington with number 6 in the 6A quarter-finals.

“We’re looking forward to another home game in the playoffs,” said Lehman. “Now we have to tell us who our opponents are and let’s get ready to play.”

This game is scheduled to take place in Skyridge on November 5th, kick-off time has yet to be set. The winner will play in the 6A semi-finals at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on November 12th.

State soccer playoff scoreboard

6A State Playoffs Second Round Home Seats

American fork 20, Riverton 13

Lone Peak 37, Herriman 14

Skyridge 58, Westlake 14

5A State Playoffs Second Round

Springville 41, Alta 7

Timpanogos 31, Box Elder 29

Orem 28, Provo 14

Timpview 42, Bonneville 15

Lehi 35, Wasatch 34 (OT)

East 38, Spanish fork 20

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