High school football: Titans take home the Rock for second straight year

SALT LAKE CITY – A brilliant first quarter performance by Skyline's offense made it appear the Eagles would celebrate an important milestone for longtime head coach Roger Dupaix with a familiar result – a victory over Olympus.

The Titans could do little to stop Skyline from reaching the end zone. In the first 12 minutes, the Eagles rolled up 199 yards, scored two touchdowns and had a potential third score negated by a fumble.

A silver lining appeared in the dark cloud for Olympus. The remaining three quarters belonged to the Titans.

Using a combination of big special team plays, ball control on offense, and crucial defensive stops, the Titans rallied to beat Skyline 31-24 on Friday night and claim bragging rights in the Battle of the Rock for the second consecutive season.

It is the first time Olympius has beaten the Eagles in back-to-back years since winning seven straight games in the series from 1980 to 1986.

After moving the ball at will through the first quarter, the Eagles tallied just 137 yards in the final three quarters combined. Their lack of offensive production helped Olympus slowly regain control before halftime and hold onto momentum through the second half.

"Our defense stepped it up and got our offense the ball back," senior tailback Jordan Archibald said.

Archibald and the Titan offense made the most of those opportunities.

Skyline had a 14-7 lead and was on its way to punching in another touchdown when Taylor Lithgow fumbled in the endzone on the final play of the first quarter. Olympus got the ball back and Buck Howard made a 40-yard field goal to pull within 14-10. The Titans then forced a three-and-out and went ahead 17-14 on their next possession when Archibald ran it in from three yards out.

Olympus extended their lead to 24-14 in the third quarter after Brooks Green scored on a 1-yard plunge to cap a nine-play 41 yard drive to open the second half.

"We just weathered their storm," Titans coach Mike Smith said.

Well, Olympus weathered two storms actually. Skyline cut the lead to three when Eagles quarterback Michael Pell scored on a 1 yard keeper to make it 24-21 with 9:16 remaining.

Olympus looked to be in trouble after Skyline forced a fourth down in Titan territory just three plays later. But the Titans burned the Eagles on a fake punt and Nico Bronzati ran 33 yards for a crucial first down.