The tide turned for Lehi when late in the third quarter, on the first play after the Rabbits intercepted Hadfield on Delta's 10-yard line, Lehi defensive end Lance Turner deflected an option pitch and pounced on it in the end zone for the Pioneers first points. A pass to Aaron Larson for the two-point conversion tied the game 8-8.

Lehi regained the ball at its own 25-yard line after forcing Delta to punt. From there the strategy changed. Instead of throwing the ball the Pioneers went to the ground. They marched 75 yards on 13 plays, eating up more than six minutes of clock, with Anthony Turchetta pushing in from the 1-yard line. The point-after kick put the Pioneers up 15-8. On the drive Byron Folau carried the ball eight times for 68 yards.

"Turchetta's kind of been our work horse, but Byron gains a lot of big yards for us," Hayes said.

The Pioneers put together another long drive and appeared on their way to putting the game out of reach, but Delta stuffed a fourth-down and inches play to take over possession at the Rabbits' 25-yard line.

It was then Nelson time. Lehi had trouble with the taller receiver all night and his 35-yard acrobatic reception with about two minutes remaining ignited his Rabbits teammates. Two first downs later Nelson made another spectacular leaping catch in the corner of the end zone to trim the margin to 15-14. But the failed conversion turned out to be the difference in the game.

Nelson also had a big game with his leg, booting punts of 50 yards, 66 yards and 75 yards.

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E-mail: jimr@desnews.com