Highlands Ranch, Colo. • Baron Gajkowski rolled out to his left, scanning the back of the end zone for any teammate he could get on the scoring sheet.
His Lone Peak Knights already owned a 34-3 first-half lead and sat a yard away from yet another touchdown
He pump-faked, throwing two linebackers off kilter before settling and tucking in the ball and running it in for his third touchdown of the day.
That's how well Saturday treated the Lone Peak Knights. The Class 5A team from Highland steamrolled 5A Mullen (Colo.) 48-10 at Valor Christian High School in the first of two Colorado/Utah Border War showcases.
"At the end of the day, it's a football field," Gajkowski said. "It's a rectangle that's 100 yards, and a game is a game."
The Knights owned it.
It was more than just Gajkowski keeping the Mustang defense off balance.
It was Erik Ostrom and his two long touchdowns runs in the first half.
It was the Lone Peak defense getting in on the action, scoring two touchdowns.
The Knights dominated every facet of the game. They outgained Mullen 433-182, which included 198 yards rushing.
"It feels good," Gajkowski said, "and we're going to run with it."
Gajkowski, who didn't need to play the second half, finished 12 of 15 passing for 136 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 95 yards on 11 carries and two TDs.
The Lone Peak defense, headlined by standout performances from Isaac Fotu, Seth Moore, Bubba Kruger and Danielson Auelua, kept the young Mustangs in check the entire afternoon.
"They just worked their guts out this last week," Lone Peak coach Mike Mower said. "Defensively, we were able to communicate much better."
The Knights head home on what's expected to be a very exciting bus ride to Utah County as they prepare for Herriman on Friday night.
"My players gave everything they had," Mower said. "It was a great week of practice we had after our loss to Alta, and I couldn't have asked more from them."
ckamrani@sltrib.com
Twitter: @chriskamrani
Storylines Lone Peak 48, Mullen (Colo.) 10
R Lone Peak senior quarterback Baron Gajkowski accounts for 231 yards and three TDs in the road win.
• The Knights' defense scores two touchdowns, one on a fumble return and one on an interception return.