Two teams from Lehi prepare for 5A, 6A football state championships
Nov 17, 2022, 10:58 PM | Updated: 10:59 pm
LEHI, Utah — Two teams from Lehi were preparing to play on the biggest stage in high school football Thursday, offering a unique opportunity for the community to rally behind both teams as they compete in the 5A and 6A title games.
From the start of the season to the start of each game, one of the goals has always been the same for Coach John Lehman and his 12-and-1 Skyridge Falcons: the 6A state football championship game.
He attributed their success to “talented kids that work really hard. Do their best every day. Try to get better. Compete like crazy. Love each other.”
Lehman has been head coach of the football program since Skyridge High School was created about seven years ago when it split off from Lehi High School to accommodate the growing city.
Skyridge High School’s Skyridge Falcons, practicing for their 6A State football championship game. (KSL-TV)
But this is his last season as head coach, as he moves on to become the school’s athletic director.
“It started in the weight room and working all the way to the field,” said William Launoa, a senior and left guard on the varsity team. “I know my job, and the guy right beside me knows his job, and that’s all I need to know.”
Launoa said the community has always been behind their team. And at the end of this football season, you could say there’s double the support and double the excitement in Lehi City.
“There’s just a lot of buzz. A lot of excitement happening,” said John Wallwork, the principal at Skyridge High School.“It’s been awesome for this community. I live here. It seems like every time I go to the grocery store or in the community, I’m always asked about the game.”
Just minutes across town, the 13-and-0 Lehi Pioneers were preparing to face off against the Timpview Thunderbirds in the 5A state championship game.
“This is an opportunity that’s unique for our city,” said Doug Webb, the principal of Lehi High School. “It’s just an opportunity for our community to rally together.”
“It’s awesome. It’s crazy there’s so much talent in the city of Lehi,” said Jackson Brousseau, quarterback for the Lehi Pioneers.
It’s Brousseau’s last game of his high school football career. The varsity quarterback knows the feeling of preparing for a game like this. The Pioneers are the returning 5A state champions.
“We built this team from when we were in fourth, fifth grade. Summers. We just work really hard,” he said.
Lehi High School’s Lehi Pioneers, practicing for their 5A State football championship game. (KSL-TV)
“It’s a testament to my coaches, the players we’ve developed here,” said Ed Larson, Lehi High School’s head coach.
Larson is in his ninth year coaching Lehi football players, and he also holds the record at the school for the most wins.
“There’s a lot that goes into creating a program that endures, and it’s just been a blessing for me to be a part of this,” he expressed.
Skyridge faces off against Corner Canyon on Friday at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Lehi goes up against Timpview at 2:30 p.m.
Both are playing at Rice Eccles Stadium. The city is expected to provide a police and fire escort for each team that wins.
