Any doubts about this year’s Mountain Ridge team should be squashed after Thursday’s performance.
The Sentinels already impressed in Weeks 1 and 2 with back-to-back wins over Region 3’s Skyridge and Lehi — including a 42-0 victory over the Pioneeers.
However, Thursday’s 42-7 rout of yet another tough opponent in the Davis Darts only further proved that Mountain Ridge has legit state champion potential.
Sentinels head coach Nick Robins set up the tough nonregion schedule as a test, and his team passed with flying colors.
Mountain Ridge had the same opening schedule against the same teams last year and went just 1-2.
“I think at the end of the day it really helps you because the playoffs is when you face that adversity from playing good teams,” said Robins of playing a tough nonregion schedule.
“It’s going to benefit you whether you win these games or not. I’m grateful that we came out with three wins, but we’ve got to move on and get ready for region.”
Mountain Ridge’s Bradley Foster reaches to stiff-arm Davis’ Bode Sparrow as they play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Mountain Ridge and Davis play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Mountain Ridge’s quarterback Jaxon Hunt makes a pass over the defense as they and Davis play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Davis’ Brodie Scheinberg gets drilled by Mountain Ridge’s Cole Uluave in the backfield as they play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Mountain Ridge’s Bradley Foster runs away from Davis’ Bode Sparrow as they play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Mountain Ridge’s Easton Stubbs reaches out and makes an interception as they and Davis play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Mountain Ridge and Davis play in Herriman on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. Mountain Ridge won 42-7. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsMountain Ridge’s defense was the clear star of the show Thursday night, especially given the offensive talent Davis has. Not only do the Darts have Oklahoma commit Bode Sparrow and Utah commit Jaxton Itaaheau both playing wide receiver, but they also have three-star quarterback transfer Brodie Scheinberg.
But the Sentinels never let up, and allowed only a single touchdown in the fourth quarter, which required two 40+-yard receptions from Sparrow to complete the drive.
No Mountain Ridge defender had a better evening than Easton Stubbs, who picked off Scheinberg in the first quarter to cut a drive short.
Then in the third quarter, Davis was about to get into the red zone, but Stubbs stripped the ball and forced his second turnover of the night.
It wasn’t just Stubbs, but the entire defensive unit that dominated. From sacks to pass breakups, Mountain Ridge asserted its will.
Davis had two particularly strong chances to score earlier in the game. The first was in the second quarter on a fourth-and-one just three yards from the end zone, and Mountain Ridge forced the turnover on downs.
Then, in the third quarter on fourth-and-short with five yards to go to the end zone, it got another stop.
“Our motto is RSNB: relentless, smart, nasty ballhawks,” Stubbs said, borrowing from the University of Utah football program. “I think we just have playmakers everywhere. Our corners did a great job. (Defensive backs) did a great job locking down both their receivers. Our defense played really well as a unit.”
The defense was so focused that it didn’t even realize when halftime hit. Players were too focused on listening to defensive coordinator Jackson Peck.
“Coach Peck does such a great job of getting those guys prepared,” Robins said. “The guys at halftime, I had to like pull them out because the defense, they didn’t realize it was halftime because they’re watching the TV.
“I’m like, ‘Dude, we got to go,’ and (Peck) is in there making adjustments.”
Meanwhile, Mountain Ridge’s offense also played well, and it game-planned around Sparrow, who isn’t only an elite receiver, but is also an elite safety.
So, Robins elected to run the ball through Bradley Foster, and more often than not it worked. Foster scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half to lead the Sentinels to a 21-0 lead.
“I have to give credit to Bode Sparrow,” Robins said. “Our plan was to not put the ball in the air where he could go get it. He’s a great player.
“He has great instincts, and so our game plan was to just try to beat everybody else on the field and not let him make plays on the back end.”
As the game went on, Mountain Ridge got some openings and quarterback Jaxon Hunt ended with three touchdown passes en route to the win.
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