Lone Peak’s ‘Knight-In-Shining-Armor,’ Nate Ritchie, Leads The Way In Statement Win

HIGHLAND, Utah – In a Friday night showdown between two of the premiere programs in the state, Lone Peak gets a big statement win to start the 2019 football season topping the Timpview Thunderbirds 30-20.

Lone Peak’s Knight-in-Shining-Armor? Senior Safety Nate Ritchie.

Ritchie did it all for the Knights scoring on offense, defense, and special teams to account for 18 of Lone Peak’s 30 points on the night.

With just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Lone Peak led 20-14 and looked to put the game away. A tipped ball deep in Timpview territory landed in the hands of Thunderbird safety, Raider Damuni, which he returned 88-yards for the game-tying score.

Tip drill! @raiderdamuni with his second TD of the night ties it up once again for @timpviewsports #utpreps #KSLGameNight pic.twitter.com/wV9Mo55htx

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 17, 2019

That’s when Ritchie stepped in.

After the Knights’ defense forced a fumble deep in Timpview territory, Ritchie connected on a 29-yard field goal to give the Knights a 23-20 lead.

With just over two minutes remaining, Timpview got the ball back and began their comeback bid – until Ritchie stepped in.

On the second play of the drive, Ritchie picked off a ball from Timpview quarterback Elijah Allen, cut and juked his way through his opponents returning the ball 41-yards for a game-sealing touchdown.

Knights, Thunderbirds Show Off The Long Ball Early

Before Ritchie’s heroics, the Knights and Thunderbirds traded scores in the first half including an outstanding catch made by Damuni setting up a one-yard score for Targhee Lambson to tie the game 7-7.

Early candidate for play of the week! What a grab from @raiderdamuni to set up a @timpviewsports touchdown!

“DAS MY SON!” –@JackDamuni, probably #utpreps #KSLGameNight pic.twitter.com/Xn78MXF4xd

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 17, 2019

Both teams would deliver two more big plays to finish the half. Lone Peak quarterback JD Neeleman hit Trajan Hansen for a 74-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead. Timpview answered with a 70-yard touchdown from Allen to Baylor Erickson to tie the game at 14.

.@LPHSsports takes a 14-7 lead on the 74-yd TD pass from @JdNeeleman to @trajanhansen006 #utpreps #KSLGameNight pic.twitter.com/sJr3fOb7bm

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 17, 2019

.@timpviewsports ties up the game 14-14 on the TD pass from Elijah Allen to @baylor_erickson #utpreps #KSLGameNight pic.twitter.com/U1SaDo4BsU

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 17, 2019

Ritchie’s other score came early in the second half when he scored on a 25-yard touchdown reception to give the Knights a 20-14 lead.

Lone Peak travels to Jordan next week to seek win number two, and Timpview will try for its first against American Fork.