High school football: Layton saved by big plays

LAYTON — While meeting with media members and accepting congratulations from teammates for a stellar performance on Friday night, Layton High receiver/defensive back Kimble Jensen was interrupted by a fan.

"Thanks for saving us," the man said to Jensen before running off the field.

That comment said it all about Jensen's impact on the Lancers' 13-7 win over Davis in Region 1 play on Friday night.

Jensen caught a 74-yard touchdown pass, blocked a punt to set up another score, and had the game-sealing interception to help the Lancers improve to 4-1 and prevail in their homecoming game.

"Kimble was huge," said Layton coach Jim Batchelor. "He had a hand in every big thing that happened for us tonight. That's what we ask guys to do — step up and make plays — and that's what Kimble did tonight."

The Lancers had a long night on offense. They went three-and-out in their first two possessions and finished with just 136 yards of total offense. Layton, already without the services of star tailback LaVaughn Jackson, also had to try to move the ball with the limited play of running back Karl Williams. He has a pinched nerve in one of his toes and played mostly on defense Friday night.

The plays Jensen made, however, were enough to get Layton past Davis. His touchdown reception occurred during Layton's third possession of the game. Quarterback Camren Applegate had to scramble past the Darts' mad pass rush on the play and delivered a bullet to Jensen, who raced past Davis' secondary to score.

In the third quarter, Jensen blocked a punt deep in the Darts' territory and Layton recovered the ball on Davis' 5-yard line. Applegate then threw his second touchdown of the game, this time to Cory Bartley to put the Lancers up 13-0. He ended the Darts' final possession by intercepting a pass with 35 seconds left in the game.

Jensen wasn't one of the best known players in the state prior to Friday night. Williams said he's a player fans will get to know quite well the rest of the season.

"He's the kind of player that comes out of nowhere," Williams said. "He was quiet in the beginning, but he's going to be a big, big factor in these upcoming games for us. He's a good athlete."

Thomas Bryson also made some key plays in the fourth quarter for Layton. He tackled Davis quarterback Gavin Fowler for no gain on a fourth down run. He also caught a 17-yard pass during Layton's next-to-last possession to get a first down and help his team run some clock.