SALT LAKE CITY — Playing on his future campus, Mason Falslev put on a show and played a big part in helping the Sky View Bobcats win their first football state championship in school history.
The do-it-all Bobcat senior rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns, caught five passes for 57 yards and had an important interception as Sky View defeated Park City 35-0 in the 4A state championship game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“It’s the best feeling,” Falslev said. “To finally get one up there on the ball, it’s just awesome.”
Falslev had one of the most important plays of the game in the second quarter. The Miners, down 21-0, finally got their offense going and were knocking on the door of a touchdown to try and claw their way back into the game. On fourth down and 11 in Sky View’s territory, Park City quarterback Jack Skidmore tossed up a jump ball to the corner of the end zone and Falslev came down with a one-handed interception to preserve the shutout.
HIGHLIGHT: Mason Falslev intercepts the pass in the end zone on fourth and goal and Sky View keeps Park City scoreless, Bobcats up 21-0 in the 2nd Q
— Deseret News Sports (@desnewssports) November 22, 2019
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Falslev, who has signed to play basketball at Utah, compared his momentum-swinging interception to a rebound.
“Just go up and get it, just like a rebound,” Falslev said.
Falslev had two rushing touchdowns later in the game — both from four yards out — to extend Sky View’s lead to 35-0.
Falslev started the season at quarterback, but Kason Carlsen took over midway through the season, and Falslev moved to playing wide receiver and running back.
“It was an advantage for us long-term because we know we can move him all over the place, and how do you come up with a defensive scheme in one week to figure out how to stop him when he’s in the backfield, when he’s at inside receiver, when he’s at outside receiver? That’s a really hard ask in high school, for sure,” Sky View head coach Chris Howell said.
In the biggest game of his career, Falslev was all over the place, making big plays.
“He’s a big-time player. We talk all the time about players making plays at big times and he did that today. It’s Mason,” Howell said.
Carlsen, who threw for 186 yards in the win, had high praise for Falslev.
“He’s probably one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever played with. He’s insane. To be able to put him in different positions, to be able to get him the ball, he’s able to go out and make plays,” Carlsen said.
- Watch the replay: Sky View 35, Park City 0
The victory was extra sweet for Falslev, who ended his career on top with his childhood friends.
“Knowing that your team, all of the practices you’ve been through, all of the sprints, all of the hard work, the blood, the sweat, the tears — it all makes it worth it,” Falslev said. “Being a senior, I’ve grown up with these guys since I was in fifth grade, and to finally get on top, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”
It was even sweeter to do it on his future campus.
“It’s awesome,” Falslev said. It’s great being here in the environment. It’s amazing.”