Any football coach will tell you that special teams can make or break your team.
Never was that statement truer than in Tooele's 19-12 road victory Friday night over West.
Tooele's Mr. Everything, Jordon Biorge, blocked a West punt and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown. The play not only tied the game but gave the Buffaloes the necessary momentum to capture their first victory of the season.
West took the lead on the opening possession thanks to a 40-yard touchdown run by C.J. Salinas. The Panthers' defense then took turns stuffing virtually every Tooele offensive play. It wasn't until late in the first quarter that Biorge's blocked punt and touchdown gave the Buffaloes some new life.
"I was getting through on the punts every time, so I just busted it for the block and scooped it up for the touchdown," said Biorge.
Feeding off the momentum from the suddenly tied game, Tooele began gashing the Panthers for big chunks of yardage. Playing from a double-running-back shotgun set, quarterback Trifon Gochis gained 101 yards on 28 carries. His combination of speed, quickness and toughness eventually wore out the tired Panther defense.
Right before halftime the Buffaloes broke the tie game with a 32-yard field goal by Trevor Black. Another Black field goal late in the third quarter gave the Buffaloes a 12-9 lead.
West's defense made enough stops to keep the game close, but their offense wasn't able to produce. Quarterback Scott Floisand was under constant pressure from Biorge and Zac Clausing, who also finished with three sacks. The Panthers also gave up three crushing turnovers while Tooele only turned it over once.
"We were watching film on their offense all week and we felt like we could read what they wanted to do," said Biorge.
Tooele sealed the victory with an impressive drive late in the fourth quarter. A 34-yard run by Gochis set the Buffaloes up deep in Panther territory. Gochis then capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, leaving the Panthers with only 1:45 left on the clock.
West rallied in the last minute to salvage some pride. A 23-yard touchdown pass from Floisand to Juan Martinez with 10 seconds remaining pulled the Panthers to within six. However, after West failed to recover the onsides kick the Buffaloes kneeled on the ball for their first victory.