American Fork did just enough to defeat Skyridge 34-27 Friday night at home, giving the school its first-ever win over the Falcons.
It took overtime, but the Cavemen forced their third interception of the night in the extra period, holding on for the win in both teams’ final game of the regular season.
“(I’m) super proud of our kids,” American Fork head coach Aaron Behm said. “Skyridge played an awesome game. What a high school football game; great atmosphere, and to come out on top, we’re fortunate.”
A lot was on the line in the matchup, with the two schools entering the game in a three-way tie with Pleasant Grove for first place in Region 3.
Ultimately, American Fork walked away with the Region 3 crown with the win. Skyridge, meanwhile, fell into third place in the region standings after two straight defeats (the Falcons saw their 15-game win streak snapped in a prior overtime setback last weekend against Pleasant Grove, giving the Lehi school its first loss in over a year).
Friday, American Fork pushed that to two losses, marking the first time since 2020 that Skyridge has fallen in two consecutive games.
The Cavemen narrowly escaped the Falcons despite dominating in the beginning stages of the contest.
American Fork scored on its first two drives, initially on a 4-yard pass from senior quarterback Dylan Story to senior tight end Landon Payne and the second a 1-yard rush from senior running back Jacob Eardley.
The two quick scores put the Cavemen ahead 14-0, while their defense held Skyridge to just two first downs through nearly two quarters — one which came by way of a penalty.
However, American Fork knew the Falcons would fight back.
“Skyridge is a great team,” Behm said. “You’re not going to dominate them. You’re going have spurts and you just hope you have more spurts than they do.”
The Falcons finally got on the board with under two minutes to play in the first half, using a flea flicker that went for 45 yards on a pass from senior quarterback Jackson Stevens to senior wide receiver Trent Call.
Moments later, Skyridge was knocking at the door again, this time from the American Fork 8-yard line.
The Cavemen held strong though, picking off Stevens for the second time in the half.
“That could have been the difference in the game,” Behm said when asked about the interception at the end of the first half.
“Obviously in these crucial games, you got to win the turnover battle and our defense, and the offense managing the ball, helped us do that.”
After a back and forth second half, American Fork scored its first touchdown of the half on a 15-yard pass from Story to senior tight end Josh Andrus with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter, giving the Cavemen a one-score lead.
American Fork held that lead until the clock struck zero at the end of regulation. That’s when Skyridge capped off an improbable 97=yard drive, on a 7-yard pass again from Stevens to Call, forcing overtime.
Two plays into overtime, Story struck swiftly, finding senior wide receiver Davis Andrews for a 25-yard touchdown to retake the lead for good.
The victory gives Behm his 100th career win as American Fork gears up for a run at a state title.
Both teams await the final RPI rankings, which will be released Saturday, to find out who they will draw as an opponent in the state tournament.