Corner Canyon never trailed in its 37-14 victory over Lone Peak Friday night in Draper.
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In both teams’ opening Region 3 matchup, the Chargers pulled away in the second half, again besting the Knights in a rematch of last year’s 6A state title game.
“We challenged (our players) to play really physical tonight,” Corner Canyon head coach Casey Sutera said. “You have to match (Lone Peak’s) intensity but also balance (that with) execution. I thought we did a really good job of that tonight.”
Leading by just a touchdown heading into halftime, the Chargers seized momentum in the blink of an eye midway through the third quarter to put the Knights away.
It took just 12 seconds of game clock for Corner Canyon to score 16 points and extend its lead to 23. A 5-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Jaxon Pehrson, his third rushing touchdown of the night, was followed by a pick-six from senior defensive back Diesel Dart. A bad Lone Peak snap on the next series led to a Charger safety.
“We came out with good energy,” Sutera said of his team’s game changing third quarter. “We were a little conservative going into the half because we felt like we could kind of hang our hat on our defense. … Diesel got the pick-six and then we got the safety and that (created) energy and what we got from that was awesome.”
From there the Chargers put things in cruise control and kept the clock running with their strong ground game — something they leaned on heavily throughout the night.
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“We were able to run the ball and that set up a lot of things for us today,” Sutera said. “Our (offensive) line just in the last couple weeks has really got going and really playing our best football and we want to keep continuing to lean on that group, and then (senior running back) Jackson Carruth runs so hard and he gets those difficult yards.
“He’s such a hard worker and good example on our team, and I’m just proud of him for getting that opportunity to do that and show out.”
Corner Canyon’s first five plays from scrimmage were handoffs to Carruth, who continued to shoulder the Chargers’ offensive attack for the bulk of the game, never seeming to get fatigued.
The victory gives the Chargers their first regular season win over the Knights in three years. The two sides split their pair of contests last year, with Lone Peak getting the best of Corner Canyon in the regular season before the Chargers got the last laugh in the state championship game.
Things played out the same way in 2024 as well.
“It feels good,” Sutera said before putting the win in perspective. “I’m just worried about continuing to improve and get better each week, but I’m proud of our kids.”
Next up Corner Canyon travels to Lehi to play Skyridge next Friday, while Lone Peak will face American Fork in Highland the evening prior.
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The pair of Region 3 contests are each scheduled for 7 p.m.