A lot was on the line in Friday’s showdown between Fremont (6-2, 4-0) and Box Elder (6-2, 3-1), as both teams came into the contest at 3-0 in region play and looking to take sole possession of first place with just two region games left.
Despite the wind and rain, both teams still put on a show as they combined for 78 points and punted the ball just three times.
In the end, Fremont was too much for Box Elder as the Silverwolves rolled to a 48-30 victory
“Box Elder is a great team, and we knew it was going to a battle and our guys put in the work all week leading up to the game,” said Fremont head coach Nate Tuatagaloa.
“We didn’t play very well last week, and it was great to see our guys bounce back and play like we know they can.”
Fremont quarterback Manase Tuatagaloa wasted no time throwing the ball as the Silverwolves completed six consecutive passes on the opening series, which finished with a 34-yard touchdown strike from Tuatagaloa to Salesi Moa.
After forcing a punt, Fremont drove down the field again before the drive stalled out and the Silverwolves settled for a 48-yard field goal by Cam Graves.
The senior followed it up in the second half with a 50-yarder which likely would have been good from 60 as the ball soared through the uprights with plenty of room to spare.
But Box Elder battled right back as the Bees scored touchdowns on two straight possessions, including successful two-point conversions to cut the lead to 17-16 midway through the second quarter.
Judd Howell scored on a 3-yard touchdown run, while Bridger Richards had a 4-yard touchdown run.
Faced with 4th and 9 from the Box Elder 35-yard line, and knowing how the Bees’ offense was rolling, Fremont decided to go for it to help turn the momentum around.
It was a great decision as Tuatagaloa found Moa for a 20-yard gain to move the chains and keep the drive alive. The drive ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Cade Hadley to extend the lead to 24-16.
But like they did for most of the night, the Bees came right back as Howell ran 51 yards untouched right through the middle of the defense to cut the deficit to 24-22 after a failed two-point conversion.
With just 1:21 left in the second quarter, Fremont used its two-minute offense and managed to drive the length of the field. With nine seconds left and the ball at the 19-yard line, Tuatagaloa waited as long as he could for the play to develop before throwing a perfect pass into the corner of the end zone as Moa hauled in the catch with just two seconds remaining in the half to give the Silverwolves a 31-22 halftime lead.
Box Elder got the ball to start in the second half and was driving down the field, but a fumble recovery by Triston Mann gave Fremont the ball back.
It was the first turnover of the game and Fremont made sure to make the Bees pay as they pushed the lead to 38-22 when Tuatagaloa capped the drive off with a 3-yard score.
“All week we talked about trusting each other and staying disciplined, and they did that tonight and it was fun to watch,” said coach Tuatagaloa. “Now we’ll see if they listen next week.”
Faced with a 4th and 3 from Fremont’s 36-yard line, the Bees decided to go for it, but Fremont’s Cooper Tumanuvao was all over the play as the junior got the sack to end Box Elder’s drive.
Graves went on to kick the 50-yard field goal to give the Silverwolves a 41-22 lead.
Box Elder answered right back to cut the deficit to 41-30 thanks to a Richards touchdown, but at that point, it was too little, too late.
Up next for Fremont is a home showdown against West Field, which is now tied with Box Elder for second place in Region 5. If the Silverwolves can win that game, they’ll win the region title.
For Box Elder, it’ll look to regroup and bounce back as it hosts Clearfield next Thursday.