Herriman appears as legit Region 2 threat in rout of Bingham
The days of the Miners dominating the Salt Lake Valley seem to be over. After Friday, Bingham stands with an 0-5 record. It’s the first time since 1957 that the Miners had an 0-5 start. It’s also the longest losing streak for Bingham since it lost 10 in a row in 1987.
Meanwhile, Herriman is looking like a real threat to take a Region 2 title. Herriman has won two co-titles in its history, in 2013 and 2019, but it has never won a region title outright.
While it still has plenty of Region 2 foes to go through before that point, the Mustangs only strengthened its argument after a dominant 40-0 shutout win on the road against Bingham.
“Ultimately we want to be in that spot to compete for a region title but in order for us to do that we need to focus on winning each rep in the game and at practice,” said Herriman head coach Matt Rickards. “So, we are really trying to give the best effort we can give each rep improving every chance we get and when that opportunity arises we will be ready.”
The ground game was the clear star for Herriman. Tyler Messer alone recorded three rushing touchdowns and Filisi Filipe added one.
Herriman led 21-0 at halftime and nearly equaled its scoring output in the second half. Even the Mustangs’ defense got in on the scoring action with a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Defense seems to be Herriman’s strong suit this year. In five games the Mustangs have only allowed a total of 34 points, an average of 6.8 points per game.
“Our defense is playing at a high level,” Rickards said. “These kids work really hard preparing and us coaches push them and I love how they respond. The defense didn’t want (Bingham) to get a first down let alone a TD. They love to be the most physical team on the field and our defense showed it.”
Hunter survives Hillcrest behind improbable comeback
With only seven minutes left in Friday’s game, Hillcrest had Hunter on the ropes with a 28-12 lead at home. The Wolverines could’ve easily added another tally in the loss column and went home 0-2 in region play.
Hunter instead scored two touchdowns, converting on both two point conversions, to force overtime. The Wolverines went on to clinch the 35-34 win on a defensive stand on a Hillcrest two point conversion.
“We needed our playmakers to make plays and they did,” said Hunter head coach Sione Tongi. “Im proud of all our players and my staff. I feel like we’re finally seeing an identity shaping for the Hunter Wolverines.”
It was a tight 7-6 game at the end of the first quarter, after a PAT from Hunter was missed. The Wolverines even briefly took a 12-7 lead after a touchdown early in the second quarter.
From that point on, the second quarter was all Hillcrest.
Huskies’ quarterback K’Von Houston connected on a pair of 25-yard touchdown passes to Levi Lavaka and Miles Ence. With under a minute before halftime, Houston once again scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Connor Court.
Hunter’s 12-7 lead withered away and the Wolverines headed into the locker room down 28-12.
“Going into halftime the message was simple,” Tongi said. “We were too complacent and had pretty much given up after they executed better and took the 28-12 lead. Rather than the usual scolding, I simply asked the team if they were ready end story now, or re-write it and make it a great “comeback story” and head back to West Valley with a win.“
After giving up a 21-point second quarter, the Wolverines defense shutout Hillcrest in the second half. With under seven minutes remaining, Sione “Isi” Moungaafi and Connor Anderson each found the end zone for Hunter. After both touchdowns, Moungaafi ran into the end zone for the two point conversion.
Anderson scored again in overtime on a 15-yard run. However, Hillcrest’s Miles Ence scored right back with an 11-yard run. Hillcrest made the decision to go for two, rather than extending the game further and Hunter’s defense came up big on the conversion with a stop for the win.
“Our senior DB Avery Lopez-Green had made a fingertip game saving play deflecting the go-ahead 2pt conversion and ending the game," Tongi said.
West Jordan slows surging Cyrpus
Cyprus had a lot to be excited about as it headed into region play this year. The Pirates are attempting to recover from a 1-9 2024 season.
It opened the season with a win, already matching last years’ win total. After a loss to Wasatch in Week 2, Cyprus earned back-to-back dominant wins against Tooele and Region 4 foe Kearns.
The Pirates only generated a total of 145 points last year, and through Week 4 it was already up to 106.
West Jordan hosted Cyprus on Friday and didn’t bow down to the Pirates as it handed them a 38-7 loss.
Despite the lopsided score, Cyprus was the first to strike in the first quarter. Brock Langford scored on a 20-yard run to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.
West Jordan made sure it was the only time Cyprus reached the end zone. Before the Jaguars’ offense scored, its defense scrounged up two points with a safety early in the second quarter.
From there the floodgates opened and the Jaguars went on to score five unanswered touchdowns.
West Jordan quarterback Ayden Dunn connected on four touchdown passes in the win, two of which were 80-yards. Porter Creasy caught two in the second quarter and Nia Ioapo and Tyson Dunn each added one.
Paula Havea scored the lone rushing touchdown for West Jordan with only 47 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Last year, West Jordan won its first share of a region title since 1999. The Jaguars currently sit tied with Granger and West at the top of Region 4 with a 2-0 record.
Cedar passes test against Manti with flying colors
The Reds played their first in-region game since moving down to 3A this season Friday against Manti. Outside of Manti’s opening game against Pine View, the Templars impressive with three consecutive dominant victories.
After an even first quarter, Cedar took control and ended its first 3A South game with a convincing 51-27 win over the Templars.
“Proud of the effort given by our program Friday night,” said Cedar head coach Tye Hiatt. “Manti is a very good program with tough kids and good coaches. We knew this was a big game to start region play and I thought we responded very well to every run that they made.”
Manti and Cedar finished with a tied 14-14 score after the first quarter, but from there Cedar outscored the Templars 37-13.
Cedar first made a run with a 15-point second quarter as Everett Kelling connected on two touchdown passes to take a 29-14 halftime lead.
However, the Templars weren’t eager to go away and Tala Taulapapa scored two quick touchdowns at the beggining of the third quarter which brought the score within 29-27.
From there Kelling scored three unanswered rushing touchdowns while the Reds’ defense didn’t allow another score for the 51-27 lead. Kelling was instrumental all night for Cedar as he finished with three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns in the win.
Braxton DeMille added a touchdown on the ground for Cedar while Breven Williams and Dylan Crowley both had touchdown receptions.
“Offensively we challenged our offensive line to handle their front and those boys stepped up to that challenge,” Hiatt said. “Our QB (Kelling) did a great job of distributing the football and using his legs to add another dimension to the run game.”
Altamont gets first win over Monticello since 2018
In its last five matchups, Monticello seemed to just outclass Altamont. In their last five meetings the Buckaroos outscored the Longhorns by a total of 218-38.
Since the UHSAA included 1A 8-man football in 2022, Monticello has reached all three championship games. Since 2022, Monticello has not lost to a Utah opponent besides two-time 1A 8-man champion Rich.
Both streaks were finally ended Friday as Altamont outlasted Monticello in a 44-37 win.
“Both teams played a hard fought game,” Altamont head coach Justin Busdicker said. “Monticello is a great team and I’m proud that our boys found a way to execute when we needed to.”
It was an even affair all night as Altamont and Monticello traded touchdowns in the first half. Monticello had the slight edge, always pulling ahead until Altamont evened the score. That pattern was finally broken as Altamont was first to score in the third quarter on a 50-yard run from Breyden Jessen.
From then on, it was Altamont who scored and Monticello who’d have to answer. With 1:43 left in the fourth quarter, Jessen scored again on an 80-yard touchdown run. The Longhorns’ defense didn’t give the Buckaroos enough room in the final minutes to score, sealing its first win over Monticello since 2018.
“After we turned the ball over on our own 5-yard line, Monticello was able to score within a few plays,” Busdicker said. “That left us with 1:57 left on the clock. On the ensuing kick return, Logan Nelson initially caught the kick and handed the ball off to (Jessen) who returned it for a touchdown. Great play by both of them and great blocking by our special teams. Our defense then answered the call and sealed the win for us."