Lone Peak-Bountiful game is matchup of familiar foes

In only seven years of existence, Lone Peak High has won a state title in almost every sport. Football is not one of them.

The Knights reached the finals last season for the first time but lost a heartbreaker to the Bountiful Braves, 23-20. If Lone Peak is going to get that elusive title this season, the Knights will have to get past the same hurdle — Bountiful. The two teams meet again Thursday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium, but this time in a 4A semifinal game. The Braves are playing to reach the finals for the third time in the past five years.

"Our kids are really focused right now and not worrying about who they've played or who they might play," Bountiful coach Larry Wall said.

It's unusual for teams more than a county apart to be rivals, but the Bountiful-Lone Peak matchup is heading in that direction. Bountiful has won all four meetings between the two schools, the latest a 21-9 Braves win in the first game of the season.

"I really think our kids are just glad to be back at Rice Stadium and are determined to play their best game," Lone Peak coach Monte Morgan said. "We have great respect for Bountiful and know that they are one of the top programs in the state."

The Bountiful thorn in Lone Peak's side has been Dave Carroll. He kicked the last-second winning field goal in last year's title game and also booted the winning field goal in the Braves' 9-6 win over Lone Peak early last season.

Anyone who has seen Bountiful play, however, knows Carroll is much more than a good foot. At more than 6-foot-4, he's a very difficult receiver to defend. Just ask American Fork fans who watched Carroll exploit the Cavemen's shorter defenders in the Braves' first-round victory. With the Braves having another tall target in Mike Wright, matching up defensively on the outside could also be difficult for Lone Peak.

Of course, it helps the Braves to have an accurate arm in quarterback Chase Christensen and a strong running game in Casey Simmonds. Defensively, big men Christian Cox and Matt Baza don't allow many yards on the ground.

Lone Peak has progressed this season in a way that has the Knights' 0-4 start forgotten. Quarterback Mike Jensen, who made his mark as a star player in last season's title game, started slowly this season after injuring his shoulder early. As of late, however, Jensen has been deadly. With his rocket arm the Knights are most dangerous when Jensen rolls out and takes his pick of targets.