KAYSVILLE — The Davis football team was gracious enough to host some out of town guests on Friday. The Highland Rams from Pocatello, Idaho traveled a long way for their first ever game with the Darts. Unfortunately for the Darts the perennially powerful Rams were poor house guests.
Failing to be intimidated by the larger Davis squad the Rams shocked the Darts with a 32-29 victory.
The Darts were certainly hospitable hosts offering up four turnovers that killed several promising drives. In addition to giving the ball away the Darts defense was unable to get sufficient pressure on Highland quarterback Taysom Hill. Hill finished with 209 yards passing on 20 of 28 passing for two touchdowns.
In addition to his quarterbacking duties Hill handled all the Rams kicking, including making an extra point despite having the kick partially blocked.
The Rams took the lead on the very first play of the game. Taylor Tingey fielded the opening kickoff and proceeded to carve up the Darts special teams on his way to a 99 yard kick return.
Later in the first quarter the Darts tied the score on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Conner Van Brocklin to Chase Flint. The touchdown throw was one of two on the night for Van Brocklin who finished with 173 yards passing but also two costly interceptions.
In the second quarter both teams exchanged big plays and scores. The Darts started with a three-yard touchdown by senior running back Kyle Burk. The score gave the Darts a 14-10. The powerful senior led the team in rushing with 127 yards and two touchdowns. A Highland touchdown run gave the lead back to the Rams.
On the ensuing possession Davis drove deep into Ram territory before an interception ended the drive.
Taking over with only 1:15 before half Highland was able to drive and score thanks mostly to a 45-yard pass play from Hill to Colter Rowe. That same combo capped the drive with a 22 yard touchdown before half.
Everything was working for the Rams, as the extra point holder fumbled the ball but Hill had the presence to pick it up, retreat until he again found Rowe in the back of the end zone for the two point conversion, making the score 25-14 at halftime.
The Darts cut the lead again in the third quarter with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Van Brocklin to Taylor Anderson. Late in the third Highland regained the lead with a Hill to Rowe 20 yard touchdown, giving the Rams a 32-21 lead.
Davis mounted a furious late charge, a two-yard touchdown run by Burk and two-point conversion by Van Brocklin cut the Rams lead to 32-29 with 2:13 left in the game.
On the next possession the Darts defense held the Rams to a three and out and was going to receive the ball with an opportunity either tie or win the game with 1:12 left. However, the Darts hopes for a comeback were quickly dashed when they muffed the punt allowing Highland to recover and run out the clock.