DRAPER — The Juan Diego Soaring Eagle are one of the favorites to win the 3A state championship in a few weeks, and the No. 1 team in 3A got off to the start it needed Friday night.
Fresh off a win over previously undefeated Delta in the final game of the regular season last weekend, Juan Diego didn't get caught looking ahead in the opening round of the state tournament Friday night, rolling to a 24-0 victory over Wasatch.
"It's always hard to play someone a second time just because they have that anticipation, so we just tried to be fundamental both offensively and defensively and just try and save a few things for down the road," said Juan Diego coach John Colosimo, whose team beat Wasatch 31-0 earlier this year.
The shutout in the opening round of the state tournament Friday was its fourth of the season. In fact, Juan Diego hasn't given up more than seven points in any game all year and has only surrendered 45 points all season.
"I can't be prouder of the boys," said Colosimo about his defense.
Juan Diego got the job done against Wasatch with an effective power rushing game, something it needs to accomplish with a great deal of efficiency in next week's quarterfinal against Logan if it hopes to hang with the defending 3A state champs.
Juan Diego's Tana Vea opened the scoring Friday night with a 9-yard touchdown burst midway through the first quarter, and Tyler Morales doubled Juan Diego's lead early in the second quarter on a 1-yard plunge. Already up 14-0, Juan Diego tacked on another touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in the first half as Brian May connected with Keegan Anderson on an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Despite trailing 21-0 at halftime, Wasatch actually moved the ball fairly well in the opening half but it couldn't overcome two interceptions and one fumble.
"They made some mistakes. That first drive they were moving the ball nice," said Colosimo. "We were fortunate that way."
Wasatch continued to moved the ball with a decent bit of success in the third quarter, but it turned the ball over on downs following a clock-churning drive that ate up six minutes.
While Juan Diego improved to 11-0 and moves on to the second round, the Wasps finish the season with a 2-8 record, a disappointing season following an appearance in last year's semifinals.