KEARNS — Despite trailing by 15 points with less than four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Cyprus rallied to notch a thrilling come-from-behind 41-40 overtime victory over Kearns on Friday night.
With the game seeming to be headed for a second overtime, Cyprus grasped onto its first win of the season after an extra-point kick by Kearns went awry.
That, however, just capped the drama in this barnburner.
Cyprus (1-1) struck first in the fourth quarter with a field goal by Andy Rodriguez to make it 21-19 with a little more than nine minutes to go, but things went Kearns' way for the next little while.
Just a minute later, Kearns (0-2) completed a long 70-yard touchdown pass from J.R. Finai to receiver Mantin Smith down the right sideline. The Cougars went for the two-point conversion but the pass sailed high. With seven minutes left in regulation, James Bernard of Kearns intercepted a pass at the 22-yard line that led to another touchdown pass from Finai to Smith, making it 34-19 with the completed extra point.
Cyprus was not about to give up.
With just 3:48 remaining, the Pirates worked their way down the field quickly for an 11-yard-touchdown from Jazz White to T.J. Johnson to make it 34-25. White then snuck it in up the middle to complete the two-point-conversion and trim the lead to 34-27.
Cyprus attempted an onside kick that was captured by the Cougars. Kearns tried to run out the time but was unsuccessful and had to punt with less than 30 seconds remaining.
From back on the Pirates' own 11-yard line, Cyprus' quarterback kept the ball and weaved and spun past every Kearns defender to break open for an incredible 89-yard touchdown. Rodriguez hit the extra point, leaving just six seconds remaining on the clock. The Cougars' return attempt was stopped short, and the game proceeded to overtime.
Cyprus had possession first in overtime and, after a few penalties, was back to the 35-yard-line when Jazz White found T.J. Johnson slashing through the middle. He broke a few tackles and snuck in for the score. Rodriguez's kick was good.
Kearns also started its overtime possession with a penalty, pushing the Cougars back to the 35 as well. Finai had a nice run up the middle but was just stopped short at the 1. A fumbled snap pushed them back to the 6-yard line, where Jonathan Bolden pounded his way in for the touchdown.
However, sophomore kicker Brock Whetman stepped up with a chance to push it to a second overtime, but he pulled the kick left. Whetman and teammates stood stunned as Cyprus players rejoiced in their unlikely come-from-behind victory.
Cyprus started strong in the first quarter, stopping Kearns on its first drive, followed by a 54-yard run by running back Albert Wolfgram and a completed extra point by Rodriguez.
With little time left in the first quarter, Kearns put together a nice drive led by Finai's feet rather than his arm. Finai ran three quarterback keepers in a row, resulting in a 9-yard run up the middle for a touchdown to start the second quarter. The extra kick by Whetman was good to tie it up at seven apiece.
In the middle of the second quarter, Cyprus struck again with another big touchdown. This time it was quarterback Jordan Wager connecting with running back George Thomas on the left side. Thomas juked the only man back to complete the 63-yard touchdown, putting Cyprus up 13-7 after the missed extra point.
To end the second quarter, the Cougars' Finai completed a 25-yard pass to receiver Sammy Sweat, who was brought down at the 2-yard line with just two seconds left in the half. Finai snuck it in to end the half to put Kearns up 14-13 with the completed extra point.
In the middle of the third quarter, Finai hit Sweat again for a touchdown to put Kearns up 21-13.
Cyprus bounced right back with a kick return by Albert Wolfgram that was stopped at the 9-yard line. The Cougars' defense held strong and held the Pirates to a field goal to make it 21-16 to end the third quarter.