His first touchdown of the game was impressive. His second one was record-breaking.
And Alan Mouritsen's fourth TD was just unbelievable.Mouritsen weaved through South Summit's defense, broke a few tackles, turned on the jets and then dove just over the goal line to give Grantsville some needed insurance late in the Cowboys' 35-20 win.
"They come in all shapes and sizes," said a smiling Mouritsen.
And for this exceptional running back, touchdowns come more often than they ever have for a Utah high school player.
On Friday night, Mouritsen officially became Utah's new touchdown king.
Last year's Deseret News 2A MVP finished with four touchdowns against the Wildcats to set a new Utah high school career TD-scoring record.
Mouritsen has now racked up 71 touchdowns during his illustrious prep career, breaking former Bear River star Nick Chournos' mark of 68.
It will look nice on his resume right next to the single-season TD record he set last year when he scored 42 times as a junior.
"It's a tremendous feeling," Mouritsen said. "I feel a lot of relief. There's been a lot of pressure on me this season."
Imagine the pressure his opponents have experienced when they've lined up against No. 32.
"It is great. I congratulate him. He's a fine player," said South Summit coach Garry Walker. He made a special effort to hug Mouritsen after Grantsville clinched the Region 12 title.
"That was definitely my No. 1 goal - the No. 1 seed for the state playoffs," said Mouritsen. "The record is just icing on the cake."
Mouritsen ended with 216 yards on 28 carries. He also had 70 yards receiving, including a 55-yard touchdown reception.
"We had our chances to hit him and he just squirt through us," Walker said. "I wish he was on my team."
Walker also wishes his best player, Brock Johnson, could have played. Johnson injured his back against Juab last week.
"That probably hurt us more on defense than on offense," he said.
The Wildcats still gave the Cowboys a heck of a fight after Mouritsen scored three straight TDs.
The tide quickly changed as South Summit quarterback Joey Edmunds connected with receiver James Chavez for a pair of TD receptions to cut the lead to 28-20.
South Summit threatened to tie the game, but Grantsville stopped the Cowboys on downs on the 6-yard line. Wouldn't ya know it? It was Mouritsen who was there for the fourth-down tackle.
A few minutes later, Mouritsen sealed the win with his nifty 37-yard TD run late in the game.
Mouritsen scored the record-breaking touchdown late in the second quarter. It was short and unspectacular, but good enough as Mouritsen rushed in for a short three-yard score.
In a classy move, South Summit stopped the game so the referee could award the football to Mouritsen. The Cowboys star then returned to the sideline where he was mobbed by his teammates.