This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Lehi is off to its best start since 2002, when it advanced to the Class 3A semifinals, and at 4-1, it's the best opening to a season since the Pioneers, who knocked off Pleasant Grove on Friday, have been situated in the state's largest classification.
Junior quarterback Cammon Cooper, who is rated among the top pocket passer in his graduating class, attributed the early success to a strong summer regimen.
"Definitely the work we put in the offseason," he said. "It was the best offseason I've ever had in my high school career. Coach [Ed] Larson pushed us every day, just the little things. It's the third year [under Larson], and the offense is setting in. We're picking everything up."
With the opening of Skyridge, Lehi lost huge chunks of its enrollment, which could have caused significant setbacks. The Falcons are also off to a 4-1 start in the 4A classification after upsetting Corner Canyon, which illustrates how the Lehi area is getting stronger athletically after struggling for years and years.
"The players [Skyridge] took, we knew to forget about that and move on with what we needed to do," Cooper said. "We've done that so far."
The Pioneers were in a similar situation in 2015, starting 3-1 with an identical schedule to this season, just opposite in home and away venues, but subsequently lost six straight games to finish 3-7.
"Last year we got a little complacent, thinking we were there, and lost every game," Cooper said. "This year, we know we have to take every game 100 percent."
Dean done for the year
While Weber (1-4) has struggled to find the win column this season, receiver Brevin Dean has been a safety blanket for the program for the past two seasons. The senior suffered a broken leg in a 37-28 loss against Northridge, ending his high school career. He does hold an offer to play at Weber State.
Lofty praise for East
After the Leopards registered their second consecutive win against a highly-touted out-of-state opponent, this time against legendary De La Salle (Calif.), the coach of Pulaski Academy (Ark.), which East defeated 37-23 the prior week, issued a huge statement on Twitter on Saturday morning.
Kevin Kelley, who has built his program into one of the best in Arkansas, said East was "the best team I have ever coached against."
Notable performances
— Jaylen Warren rushed for 248 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in East's win against De La Salle. The senior has now rushed for 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns halfway through the regular season. Assuming the Leopards play 14 games, Warren is on pace for 3,049 yards and 31 touchdowns. The state record for rushing in an individual season is 2,561 by Beaver's Kelly Smith in 1979. The state record for rushing touchdowns in one year is 38 by Grantsville's Alan Mouritsen in 1997; 31 would tie for the ninth-most in UHSAA history.
— Layton Christian quarterback Braxton Llewelyn completed 12 of 22 attempts for 225 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Eagles to an easy win over Wayne.
— Andrew Kemp tossed four touchdowns and racked up 214 yards on 18 completions to lead Bonneville over Ogden in a shootout.
Twitter: @trevorphibbs