American Fork claims ugly victory

AMERICAN FORK — American Fork made a tough goal line stand to preserve an error-filled 18-14 victory over longtime rival Lehi.

The Pioneers took over on downs late in the fourth quarter on the Lehi 12-yard line, gaining a first down after a 10-yard run by Anthony Turchetta and breaking it open twice with a 25-yard reception by Tyson Thompson and a 46-yard reception by Abe White to find themselves with a first and goal at the American Fork five-yard line and a four-point deficit. Four downs later the Cavemen stopped Turchetta for a loss of three and completed the game-saving stand. They took over on downs with just over a minute left and ran out the clock.

The next to last play of the game typified the entire contest as the Pioneers were whistled for two separate unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and the referees walked 30 yards off down the field before Caveman quarterback James Moore knelt to run out the clock.

Mistakes and penalties marred this rivalry game from the beginning as Thompson intercepted Moore's pass on the first play of the game, running the ball back 29 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown was followed by an American Fork personal foul and a failed two-point conversion attempt, leaving the Pioneers with a 6-0 lead, which lasted exactly one minute and 31 seconds.

On the second Caveman possession, Moore kept the ball and tore off down the field, tying the score with a 46-yard touchdown run, but the Cavemen missed the extra point and the chance for the lead.

The second quarter was rife with penalties, but the Pioneers did manage a 25-yard touchdown pass to Turchetta from quarterback Justin Hadfield, who had to change numbers at the start of the second quarter because his regular jersey had been torn off his back in the first.

The two connected again for the two-point conversion and a 14-6 lead. But the Pioneers wouldn't be able to crack the goal line again.

American Fork scored twice in the third on a five-yard run by Mike Muehlmann and a 20-yard run by Devin Wilson, forging ahead by the final four-point margin of victory.