ST. GEORGE — After coming up short in the state title game in 2015 and 2017, the third time was the charm for Morgan as the Trojans defeated Juab, 8-0, to capture the 3A state title at Trailblazers Stadium in front of 8,500 fans.
It was Morgan’s first state football title since 1997 and was also the lowest scoring game since 2014 when San Juan beat South Summit 7-0. It was also just the third championship game — out of 303 — that did not have a touchdown scored.
“It was a battle between two great defenses tonight, and I couldn’t be prouder of this team. They battled all night, gave everything they had and they deserve it.” — Morgan coach Kovi Christiansen
“If you were to tell me the final score was going to be 8-0 and without a touchdown, I would have thought you were crazy,” said Morgan head coach Kovi Christiansen. “Wins aren’t always pretty, but at the end of the day we’re just glad that we had more points than they did. It was a battle between two great defenses tonight, and I couldn’t be prouder of this team. They battled all night, gave everything they had and they deserve it.”
“It feels amazing to be state champions,” added Morgan kicker Sloan Calder, who had two field goals on the night. “I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life. I’m so grateful and proud of all my teammates. It takes everyone.”
Although it was a game that featured two high-powered offenses — averaging 35 points per game — it was the defense on both sides that stole the spotlight with big plays and forcing turnovers.
On Juab’s first possession of the game — and after Morgan forced a three-and-out — the ball was snapped over punter Kollin Robertson’s head and rolled into the end zone. With three Morgan players following right behind, Robertson grabbed the ball and went down for a safety to preserve a touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, Morgan’s Trevor Jarrett took the ball on the 20-yard line and ran down the right sideline for a big gain before he was tackled on the 21-yard line. Juab’s defense responded by forcing a three-and-out and a 45-yard field goal attempt by Calder.
Kicking the ball right down the middle of the goal posts, Calder’s kick would have been good from 55-plus as the senior converted both 40-plus yard kicks on the night.
“You never know what can happen in playoff games and so I practiced all year so that I would be ready when my name was called upon,” said Calder.
“The moment is never too big for Sloan,” added Christiansen. “He’s always practicing and is always making kicks from 50-plus in practice.”
- Watch replay: Morgan 8, Juab 0
Jarrett and Gage Thornton combined for 24 carries and 87 yards to lead the Trojans, and quarterback Carter Thackeray completed 7 of 13 passes for 37 yards through the air.
Despite outgaining Morgan 190-124, the Wasps couldn’t get much going after crossing midfield as penalties killed drives as well as fourth down stops and sacks by the Trojan defense. Morgan finished the night with seven sacks, led by seniors Porter Giles, Dexter Gilson and Treyson Jones.
“We made some mistakes and weren’t able to get into a rhythm on offense tonight, but you have to give a lot of credit to Morgan as well,” said Juab head coach Mike Bowring. “I can’t say enough about our defense. They played a heck of a game! But win or lose, each player means the world to me. I see the sacrifice and time they put into everything and it tears your heart out as a coach when you don’t come out on top. But I hope they realize over time what a privilege it was to be here and what a great season we had.”
Down 8-0 with just over a minute to play, Juab had a chance to force overtime after Dominic Davidson recovered a fumble on the 33-yard line for the Wasps. After three consecutive incomplete passes and being forced out of the pocket because of the pressure of the Wasp defense, the game come down to the final play. Facing fourth-and-10, with 50 seconds left in the game, Juab quarterback Zac Cowan rolled to his right before firing a pass over the middle over the field. The ball sailed over the head of his wide receiver and into the arms of senior Jakob Burt for the game-winning interception.
“We’ve been waiting for 22 years for this moment,” said Christiansen. “The third time was the charm and you can bet we’re going to be celebrating this win for a long, long time.”