High school football: Beaver crushes Duchesne, repeats as 2A state champs

Box score

Saturday’s 2A state championship game at Dixie State University between Beaver and Duchesne was a battle between two unbeaten teams — and a rematch of last year’s close 2A semifinal game.

But this time, the game wasn’t close at all. 

Beaver (13-0), the defending champions, left no doubt who was the best team in 2A this year as the Beavers led from start to finish and cruised to a 42-0 victory over Duchesne (11-1).

“Last year was the first undefeated season for us since 1979. To be able to go undefeated again and to win another state title is special, and I’m so happy for our kids.” — Beaver coach Jon Marshall

“Last year’s game was really close, and our kids wanted to come out and make a statement and they did that today,” said Beaver head coach Jon Marshall.

The victory gave Beaver its 26th consecutive victory and also its 13th state championship. The Beavers also won back-to-back state titles for the fourth time in school history (1970-71, 1980-81, 2015-16).

“Last year was the first undefeated season for us since 1979,” said Marshall. “To be able to go undefeated again and to win another state title is special, and I’m so happy for our kids.”

“It’s an amazing feeling being a state champion,” said Beaver senior quarterback Treyson Hunter. “To be able to experience this again is special because not a lot of people get to have that.”

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Beaver came in with the top-ranked offense in 2A, scoring 49.5 points per game, and also had the best scoring defense, allowing just 7.5 points per game.  

While Beaver is known for its prolific rushing attack, it was the passing game that propelled the Beavers to the blowout victory. Hunter completed 8 of 10 passes for 110 yards and five touchdowns. Hunter would have had more yards, but thanks to a terrific job by the Beaver defense, the offense had great field position all game.

“Treyson had a huge game for us and that’s what I love about this team,” said Marshall. We’re not one dimensional. Duchesne was ready for us up front and they do a lot of things that make it hard to run the ball and Treyson made great throws throughout the game to keep them off balanced.” 

• Watch replay: Beaver 42, Duchesne 0

Not only did Hunter throw five touchdown passes, but he also threw to five different receivers as EJ Allred, Hunter Carter, Crayton Hollingshead, Ky Brown and Statler Wright each found the end zone.

“Our coaches have done a tremendous job at preparing us for each game and we just went out and executed,” said Hunter. “Teams aren’t able to make us one dimensional and we showed that today.”

Allred lead the Beavers in rushing and receiving as the senior had 125 yards on the ground and added three catches for 52 yards and a score.

Duchesne came in as the second highest scoring team in 2A at 33.1 points per game. However, the Eagles couldn’t get anything going and managed just 57 yards of total offense. 

“It’s not the way we wanted it to go, but we knew coming in that Beaver would be a tough team and would be a challenge for us,” said Duchesne head coach Jerry Cowan. “Although we lost, it was still a great season and something our team will always remember. We didn’t know if we would even have a football season this year with everything going on, and to be able to get to the championship game is pretty neat. I’m proud of our kids and this team, but sometimes you win some and sometimes you don’t.”

Saturday’s game marked the fifth time in six years that the Beavers have made it to the championship game. It was the program’s 23rd championship game appearance, which extends the record the program already owns.