Box score
AMERICAN FORK — Corner Canyon put an emphatic exclamation point on its now spotless regular season record on Wednesday with a 59-28 win over American Fork that featured a running clock throughout much of the second half.
As has been the case for the entire season, the Chargers dominated in every facet of the game in putting yet another whooping on a very accomplished and proud Region 4 program. In doing so, Corner Canyon coach Eric Kjar’s team firmly established itself as the unquestioned team to beat at the outset of the 6A state playoffs.
“The players are just finding their rhythm and everything is comfortable for them,” Kjar said. “I feel we’ve probably made the biggest strides on offense from the start of the year, but it’s all coming together and I’m just proud of the kids for how they’re executing out there.”
As dominating as the Chargers proved for most of Wednesday’s blowout, the starting indicated a different course.
The Cavemen took the opening kickoff and rolled right down the field, finding themselves with a first-and-goal situation with a prime opportunity to set a good tone early. But Corner Canyon defensive back Cade McDougal had other ideas, and managed to pick off a pass and take it 99 yards the other way for an early 7-0 lead.
“Cade made a great play and our defense has been doing that sort of thing a lot this year,” Kjar said. “We’ve been opportunistic in creating a lot of turnovers and that’s really been a big thing for us in a lot of our games.”
The Chargers didn’t let up one bit for the rest of the first quarter, finishing off the first 12 minutes with a commanding 21-0 lead. McDougal’s score was followed up with two touchdown runs from Austin Bell from five and 15 yards out with every part of the Corner Canyon arsenal executing at a high level.
American Fork answered with a Jaxon Gregory 1-yard touchdown run to star the second quarter scoring before 17 straight by the Chargers provided a more than adequate response. Bell added his third touchdown of the game, scoring from 11 yards out with Charger quarterback Cole Hagen adding a 9-yard touchdown run during the second quarter stretch.
The second half followed suit with two early touchdowns pushing the Chargers’ lead to 52-14 and started a running clock due to the 38-point margin.
For the game Hagen used his legs to beat the American Fork defense time and again by virtue of zone-read option plays and ultimately finished with two touchdown runs and a lot of other big gains made.
“Cole has been steady for us all year and yeah, that zone read was just going for him tonight,” Kjar said.
American Fork star receiver Devin Downing led the Cavemen with two touchdown receptions, but was otherwise limited considerably, along with the rest of his teammates.
“American Fork has some really good receivers, but our defensive backs stepped up and played well, much like they have all year,” Kjar said.
With the win Corner Canyon finishes off a perfect 10-0 regular season and will certainly be tabbed as the No. 1 seed when the playoffs start. American Fork finishes the season with a 6-4 mark with the loss.