Davis shocks perennial contender Skyline

Maybe Davis' 13-7 upset win in overtime against Skyline Thursday in the 5A semifinals was ordered by the cosmos.

You might actually believe such a thing when you consider that the last time Davis advanced to the finals came in 1994 — the last year Skyline didn't make it into the championship round.

Make no mistake, however, about the real source of the Darts' victory — defense. Spurred by an outstanding performance by all 11 defenders, Davis managed to knock off the most storied Utah prep-football program in the modern era.

"This is unbelievable," Davis running back Bryan Kariya said. "We've always wanted to come down here and see what we could do against (Skyline)."

Davis, tabbed to finish fifth in Region 1 before the season started, will play Cottonwood in the championship game at 1:30 p.m. next Friday.

Combined with Andrew Lloyd, Kariya led the Darts' rushing attack and scored the game-winning touchdown, a one-yard burst through the middle. Kariya's run came after Davis' defense held the Eagles to a three-and-out series.

"That's just the best feeling in the world," Davis receiver Tim Grasso said about watching Kariya scamper in for the winning touchdown. "It was the chance of a lifetime."

Kariya and Davis found itself in position to win the game after stuffing Skyline to begin overtime. The UHSAA changed overtime rules this season by placing the ball at the 25-yard line in overtime instead of the ten.

Davis capitalized on the fact, stopping Skyline cold on three straight plays while forcing Skyline kicker Ben Vroman into a 45-yard field goal that missed wide left.

"It's nice to be able to put the game on your defense's shoulders," said Davis coach Ryan Bishop.

Davis held the Eagles to 252 yards of total offense and shut down Skyline in every key situation, including a fourth-and-two from the 35-yard line late in the contest. Defensive lineman Scott Larsen led that effort.

Skyline's only touchdown was a 40-yard halfback pass from Taylor Witzel to Judd Tolman.

The vast majority of the first-half play went back and forth, with bad execution and turnovers preventing either team from putting points on the scoreboard. After Vroman missed a 53-yard field goal with 4:02 left in the second quarter, it appeared the halftime-score would be knotted at 0-0. It took a spectacular effort from Grasso to change that.