This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 episode. Watch the full show.
Lone Peak has one of the best defensive fronts in the state in any classification, led by Kingston Stroshine, Justin Thayer and Bridger Dunn. The problem, Andy said in Tuesday's editorial, is that Mountain Ridge doesn't care.
"They don't care about your front. They don't care that you can stop the run," Andy said. Mountain Ridge didn't come close to running for 100 yards against Copper Hills, Herriman or Cedar Valley, and won all three by 40. Lone Peak held Lehi to 106 rushing yards in a 20-8 first-round win, while Mountain Ridge beat Lehi 42-0 in the regular season, according to MaxPreps.
Lone Peak's secondary
Andy said Lone Peak's pass defense has been just as good. It hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer in its last two games and has five interceptions in that span. Skyridge completed 53% of its passes against the Knights. Corner Canyon threw for 70 yards. Timpview completed 39% with two interceptions. American Fork was the only team that threw it well against them.
The Hunt problem
Mountain Ridge quarterback Jaxon Hunt is averaging over 300 yards a game, completing 65% of his passes, with 45 touchdowns and six interceptions, Andy said. Pressure hasn't slowed him either. Herriman hurried him eight times and sacked him four times, and he still threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
"What's the recipe for slowing down this Mountain Ridge offense? It's not the run game. It's not even pressuring the quarterback," Andy said. "Lone Peak's got to figure that out. They've got all the talent in the world and brainpower to do that."
Upset alerts
Andy also put two higher seeds on upset alert. Provo, which has won seven of its last eight, plays Skyline, whose three losses came to Stansbury, Lone Peak and Skyridge. And 5A Cinderella Woods Cross gets Alta after losing to the Hawks by six in the regular season. Andy said a triple-option team can raise its level in the playoffs: "It's just about your will versus theirs."
Read The Rush Magazine's cover story on Jaxon Hunt and Mountain Ridge and our 6A and 5A first-round recap.