WASHINGTON TERRACE — One of the dark horses in 4A this year just might be a cat.
Woods Cross followed its impressive victory over Roy last week with another this week by beating Bonneville 27-7 in the Lakers' home opener.
Woods Cross used big plays on offense and clutch plays on defense to wear down the Lakers, who were looking to rebound from last week's frustrating loss to Layton.
The Lakers scored first on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Boston Nelson to Ryan Anderson.
Woods Cross answered on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tyler Parson, capping a 52-yard drive. That score came shortly after the Wildcats converted on a fourth-and-one play from within the 10-yard line. Woods Cross added a nifty 2-point conversion, when Parson, who is the holder, got up and flipped the ball over the line of scrimmage to Tyler Fredrickson, who was wide open in the end zone. The conversion gave the 'Cats an 8-7 lead.
In the second quarter, Woods Cross added to the lead on an 86-yard touchdown pass from Parson to Darchon Taggart. Parson hit Taggart in stride and Taggart turned on the jets for the easy score putting the Wildcats up 15-7.
The Lakers opened the second half with a chance to cut into the lead with a solid drive. Bonneville started at its own 20-yard line and drove into Woods Cross territory. Bonneville was ready to make it a one-point game, threatening to penetrate the red zone.
That's when the 'Cats became clutch.
Woods Cross defensive back Sean Barton intercepted a Nelson pass, giving the Wildcats the ball on the Bonneville 26-yard line. On the next play, Parson passed to running back Sean Gallagher, who was behind the line of scrimmage. Gallagher then threw the ball to Taggart for the score. Woods Cross missed the PAT, but went up 21-7 on the play.
Woods Cross finished the scoring on a 14-yard pass from Parson to Fredrickson later in the quarter to go up 27-7.
The Woods Cross defense forced three turnovers, two interceptions, one fumble and held Bonneville to a mere 167 yards total offense.
Masei Sauni led the Wildcats in rushing, carrying the ball 15 times for 85 yards. Parson threw for 189 yards.
Taggart, who caught four passes for 145 yards and two TDs, was excited about the win and said intensity was the reason for his team's success.
"We come out and we play hard," he said. "That was the most intensity we had in awhile. We knew they were going to come out ready to play and we knew that we had to take it to them."