LEHI – It was a classic match-up of Lehi’s powerful running game vs. Pine View’s impressive passing game, but ironically, it was a pass that saved the game for the Pioneers.
Lehi edged the Panthers 36-33 behind 271 rushing yards from speedy Caden Calton Friday night on a cool windy night in Utah County.
The Pioneers, who had completed just one pass for seven yards in the first three quarters of the game, came up big in the game-winning drive. With Pine View leading 33-29 and the clock down under four minutes, Lehi QB Derek Beeston completed a 19-yard pass to Austin Whetzel to convert a third-and-seven play, then followed that moments later with a 15-yarder to Jalen Bailey on fourth-and-five. The second completion gave the Pioneers a first down inside the Panthers 20-yard line. A few plays later, Beeston twisted his way into the end zone to put Lehi ahead with 2:18 to play.
Pine View drove to the Lehi 39-yard line, but QB Kody Wilstead was intercepted on fourth down and the Pioneers kneeled out the final 50 seconds of the game.
It was a tough ending for Wilstead, who was incredibly accurate considering the high winds. Wilstead was 31 of 44 passing for 406 yards and five touchdowns. He has 13 TDs and five interceptions in three games this season.
The two halves of the game were as different as night and day. The first 24 minutes saw eight touchdowns, 55 points, 632 combined yards and just two punts. After halftime, the two teams scored just seven points each and the offenses gained a combined 324 yards. The Panthers committed both of their turnovers in the second half and also lost the ball on downs and punted. The Pioneers scored on four of six possessions in the first half, but just one of five possessions after halftime. Likewise, PV had four TDs in five first-half possessions, but just one TD in five offensive sets after the break.
Pine View outgained Lehi 518-438, with Jack Bangerter catching 10 passes for 121 yards and a score. Tristan Duran ran for 116 yards on 10 carries.
But the star of the game was Calton, who nearly doubled his season total in rushing yards by toting the rock 36 times for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Calton, a junior, leads the state in rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns and is averaging more than 10 yards a carry for the Pioneers.
“We could see he was something special coming up through the younger leagues,” Lehi coach Steve Hastings said. “Now he’s doing it at the varsity level. He is amazing and he’s just a junior.”
The 5A Pioneers, who improve to 2-1, play at Westlake next week.
Pine View, also 2-1, begins 3AA South Region play at Snow Canyon next Friday. The 2-0 Warriors run a very similar offense to Lehi, a run-heavy spread/Wing-T combo.
Boxscore: Pine View Varsity at Lehi Varsity
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Wilstead needs to stop throwing picks. He lost a game last year throwing a pick.