In a physical and emotional battle, Mountain Ridge pushed past Herriman 22-14 in the quarterfinals of the 6A playoffs on Friday.
Mountain Ridge defeated Herriman earlier in the season and head coach Nick Robins hoped to put together a similar performance with increased physicality and discipline.
It’s safe to say it was mission accomplished for Robins and his team.
“We felt like we had to really replicate the physicality that we came out with the last time we faced them, and I think we did that,” Robins said.
“I feel like we mastered the physicality, and we executed really well in the first half. I’m just proud of our guys. They battled through a lot of adversity this year and it paid off tonight.”
Mountain Ridge got off to a very quick start. The Sentinels first scored just a couple minutes into the game on a spectacular 1-handed grab by Kohen Cunningham in the corner of the end zone to take the early lead.
They then doubled their lead with time winding down in the first quarter on a 5-yard run up the middle by Zach Ofisa before Herriman finally managed to get on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter thanks to a 21-yard touchdown reception by Hayes Priest.
Mountain Ridge’s defense was able to suffocate Herriman, allowing the offense to get to work and allowing the team to grab some breathing room with a 15-yard touchdown reception by Ashton Gates.
Robins could not have been more pleased with the job that his defense did and gave all of the credit to his coaches.
“Our defense really won the game for us tonight,” Robins said. “They constantly came through when we needed a stop. Our defensive coaches are so prepared every single day in practice and it’s tough to go against them.
“I know that they’ll be ready for every single situation. I could not be happier about our defensive performance tonight.”
Down 22-8, Herriman made Mountain Ridge sweat and gave itself a shot thanks to an explosive 44-yard touchdown run by Filisi Filipe. With a minute left in the game, Herriman was looking to potentially tie the game up and send it to overtime.
With the ball at midfield, Mountain Ridge’s Braylon Washington was able to intercept the Herriman pass, pushing Mountain Ridge to the semifinals and a date with powerhouse Corner Canyon.
“These guys are ready for any situation,” Robins said. “Corner Canyon is obviously a great team and they’re the defending champs for a reason.
“Obviously in order to beat them, we’re going to have to play really well, but we’re certainly up for the challenge.”