High school football: Hendrix Cluff’s 2 punt return TDs power Lehi past Weber

Lehi made the 75-mile trek up north to take on a Weber team Friday that was riding a three-game win streak and putting up big offensive numbers in the process.

But that didn’t faze the Pioneers.

In front of a nearly sold-out crowd, Lehi used its swarming defense and a pair of special teams touchdowns to walk out with a 28-14 victory.

“What a game,” Lehi head coach Andy Hadfield said with a smile after the contest. “Weber is a great program and a really good team, and we knew it was going to be a battle. I’m proud of our guys for hanging in and making big plays the entire night.

“Every time we needed a big play, someone always came through. It was a total team effort.”

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Two of those big plays came on special teams as Hendrix Cluff returned two punt returns for touchdowns to help extend Lehi’s lead to 22-7 midway through the second quarter.

It all started with a pooch punt.

Weber, which looked like it was going to go for it on fourth and inches from its own 19-yard line, decided against it and switched formations. Quarterback Carter Payne then attempted a pooch punt and blasted the ball to midfield.

The ball bounced around the 50-yard line, where Cluff picked it up and made a few guys miss. Then with the help of his teammates, the defensive back followed blockers down the sideline for the 50-yard score.

A few minutes later, after forcing another 3-and-out, Weber punted the ball again to Cluff, who once again took it to the house — only this time from 60 yards.

“Credit to all my guys blocking and help make it happen,” Cluff said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

When asked about the second punt return, the sophomore admitted he had a feeling he was going to find the end zone again.

“My confidence was sky high after the first touchdown and I wanted to do that again,” he said. “I got a good stiff arm in and made a few guys miss and thankfully was able to get in the end zone again.”

When asked jokingly if the game plan was just to give the ball to Cluff and watch him do the rest, Hadfield smiled and said, “It’s not a bad idea…he sure makes play calling easier.”

Cluff’s performance was even more impressive considering his role has been mainly focused on defense this year. Coaches moved him to offense the previous week and the sophomore wasted little time showing why the staff wanted the ball in his hands.

“This is why we have him involved on offense,” Hadfield said. “He’s super talented, has great vision and is just a really great kid. I couldn’t’ be happier for him.”

Weber got on the scoreboard first as Payne rolled to his right before firing a laser across the field to Creed Devries for a 25-yard touchdown for the 7-0 lead for the Warriors.

After a 27-yard field goal by Lehi’s Finn McBride to cut the deficit to 7-3, the Pioneers scored three consecutive touchdowns to blow the game open.

Briggs Jensen got it started as he threw a 16-yard strike over the middle to Cam Wren, who used his speed to go untouched into the end zone.

Then after Cluff’s two touchdowns, Lehi relied on its defense to do the rest.

“Special teams is a big part of what we do and focus on,” Hadfield said. “You just can’t focus on two phases of the game. You need to be good in all three phases and we did that tonight.”

Next up for Lehi is a home game against Skyridge. For Weber, it will host Farmington as region play starts up.