ST. GEORGE — In the Warriors' season-opener last week, Snow Canyon running back Adam Timo rolled up 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns (three more were negated on penalties) on a mere seven carries. So Orem was rightfully focused on shutting him down.
The Tigers "held" Timo to 95 yards and one score on 16 touches as the 4A Warriors rolled to a 21-0 non-league victory at Dixie State College's Hansen Stadium Friday.
"It's always good not to get run all over," said Orem running back Tucker Lamb, who led the Tigers with 67 hard-fought yards.
That was certainly true Friday, as the Tigers punted four times and turned the ball over another six in the shutout. Orem (0-1) had its chances, forcing key SC turnovers and reaching the red zone on a few occasions, but the Tigers were stymied on even their most promising drives.
Case in point: Orem had a prime shot at the end zone after Jordan Johnston picked off SC quarterback Kurt Henderson (12-for-23, 186 yards and one touchdown throwing; 88 yards and a score rushing) late in the fourth period.
That play set up the Tigers on their opponents' 33-yard line, and a pass-interference penalty on the ensuing play gave Orem at least four shots at paydirt from the 18.
Four plays, five net yards, and a lost possession on downs. The Warriors ran out the remaining two minutes to end the contest.
"We just couldn't finish it," Lamb said. "I guess we didn't want it enough."
Orem struggled to establish itself in the opening half, giving the ball back on each of its first five drives — twice on punts and three times via turnovers. The Tigers also failed to capitalize after forcing SC's offense to stall in the first quarter by mishandling a punt and setting the Warriors' offense back up on the Orem 24-yard line.
Meanwhile, Snow Canyon marched 76 yards on 11 plays on its opening drive, finishing with a 5-yard touchdown plunge by Timo. Despite fumbling twice, including once in the end zone during a would-be score, the Warriors went into the half up 14-0, thanks to Henderson's 16-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Groskreutz. The play capped a five-play, 70-yard drive in the second period.
But for a few flashes here and there, neither team settled into much of a groove early on, as the Tigers and Warriors combined for 13 penalties in a first half that lasted more than 70 minutes.
Orem quarterback Josh Hamblin was 2-for-9 for 12 yards and a pair of interceptions before linking up with Landon Lloyd for 37 yards in the fourth period. That play initiated an eight-play, 49-yard drive that culminated with a turnover-on-downs.