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Highland • For teams separated by 42 miles, the Lone Peak Knights and Bountiful Braves sure are familiar with one another. Maybe too familiar for Bountiful's liking after Friday night.
In their 14th straight opening meeting, Lone Peak dominated all aspects of the game en route to a 31-0 shutout, setting the tone for what could be a big season in Region 4.
The home team controlled both lines of scrimmage for the duration, giving Bountiful quarterback Austin Parkinson nanoseconds to throw the ball and bottling up senior star Max Tooley on nearly every rushing attempt.
"That is one of the best defensive efforts we've had against a Bountiful team," said coach Mike Mower.
On the offensive side of the ball, Lone Peak's Talmage Gunther showed great touch and command, hitting his receivers in stride deep down the field repeatedly. On the team's first touchdown, Gunther hit junior Tyler MacPherson on a 30-yard hitch-and-go. A 29-yard pass to Jackson McChesney set up Gunther's second touchdown pass, McChesney finishing the drive off with a 4-catch-and-score.
"Hats off to them, honestly. Their pass defense was really good today. We thought we could do some things we weren't able to do, but we made some adjustments, some athletic plays and were able to get it done," Gunther said.
Despite the senior's showing under center, Mower alternated his quarterbacks, giving junior Dakota Hansen a few series, something to watch as Lone Peak's season develops.
"I'll tell you what, I like them both. Either one of them can win a ballgame for us and get it done," the coach said. "Can't say enough about both of them."
Parkinson looked rattled from the outset, tossing an interception with four minutes left in the third quarter that was returned by linebacker Britton Bettridge for a touchdown. The Braves' longest play from scrimmage was 14 yards, leading Tooley to take out his frustrations with a handful of personal fouls.
Tyler Kap and McChesney ground down the Bountiful front in the second half, breaking off big chunks of yardage much to Mower's satisfaction.
"I just like the good old-fashioned running game," he said.
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith —
Lone Peak 31, Bountiful 0
• This is the 12th opening-game meeting in a row for Lone Peak and Bountiful. The Knights now lead the all-time opening series 8-6.
• Lone Peak alternates quarterbacks throughout the game between senior Talmage Gunther and junior Dakota Hansen.