COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — The Woods Cross Wildcats have recognized their student fans for their support of the team this season.
Late Friday night, the fans called upon the Wildcats, especially the defense, to keep their winning streak going.
Playing their third straight road game, the Wildcats and their fans celebrated again on an opponent’s turf — and nearby parking lot — this time stopping the Brighton Bengals’ offense three times in the fourth quarter to hold on for a 24-16 nonregion win in a marquee matchup of surprising undefeated teams.
“The defense stepped up. They played really well and got it done,” said Woods Cross coach Andrew Fresques.
The game wasn’t decided until the final play, when Jonah Johnson and Luke Hyde kept Brighton receiver Lander Barton from snagging a 14-yard pass from Gabe Curtis in the end zone. The play came immediately after Rexley Florendo had grabbed a 23-yard toss on a fourth-down play to keep Brighton’s hopes alive.
“It was a team effort,” said Fresques. “Sometimes we got pressure (on the quarterback) and sometimes we made plays downfield.
“Now we’re 3-0,” he added. “We have one more game before region, but we’re not going to sneak up on anyone anymore.”
Watch video replay of the game
Like Brighton, the Wildcats won just two games last season. They rallied for this win behind Carter Weierman’s 200 yards passing and two touchdown passes and a near 100-yard effort from running back Cole Wardle.
Brighton led 6-0 early, then scoring went back and forth. The Bengals’ offense was hurt by penalties most of the night. They started the second half with an impressive an 80-yard, 17-play drive that included a touchdown run by Curtis that was negated by a penalty.
Owen Smith’s 32-yard field goal salvaged the drive and cut the margin to 17-16. However, that was the last time Brighton scored and the Wildcats erased the threat two minutes later with a five-play drive that finished with a 48-yard touchdown throw from Weierman to Hyde, who had four catches for 111 yards.
Brighton’s next two drives were hampered by penalties, but the Bengals kept a field-position advantage thanks to booming punts by Smith, who averaged 50 yards per boot, including a 70-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Woods Cross stayed in front with its defensive effort. Michael Mokofisi, Charles Rasband and Griffin Hess kept Curtis on the run, and its offense did not lose any turnovers.
Weierman threw one interception, but it was negated when the defensive player fumbled and the Wildcats recovered — and even gained 10 yards. Woods Cross also recovered its own fumble deep in its territory.