From Deseret News archives:
High school football: Leopards score early, often vs. Lancers
Behind a balanced offense and opportunistic defense, East scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions and added an interception return for a touchdown to take a 35-0 advantage in the first half. The early cushion helped the Leopards cruise to a 48-7 victory over Region 6 foe Granger Friday night.
Perhaps most satisfying to East coach Larry Eldracher was that his team responded to the challenge of putting up points early.
"We kind of impressed upon our kids that we want to come out and play a strong first half," Eldracher said. "We've been a strong second-half team all season, so it was nice to see us jump out early."
In the early goings, however, it appeared that early-game rust would again plague the Leopards (5-1 overall, 3-0 Region 6). After setting up third-and-goal from the 5-yard line on the game's opening drive, East quarterback Danny Tuai was picked off by Daniel Fusitua in the corner of the end zone. Tuai credited defensive pressure applied by Granger (1-5 overall, 0-3 Region 6).
"It was supposed to be a one-step drop, but the blitz was coming so I had to get rid of (the ball) early," Tuai said.
The senior quarterback responded nicely after having his first pass attempt intercepted. In fact, Tuai's only incompletion was the end-zone miscue, so technically none of his pass attempts hit the turf. He was 4-for-5 for 126 yards in the first half, and he didn't attempt a pass in the second half. His biggest completion was a 61-yard touchdown to Jacob Morrison that put the Leopards up 28-0 with 2:24 remaining before halftime.
"I sprinted out and saw Jacob open. I threw it and he did the rest," Tuai said.
If it's possible, East also quietly piled up 151 rushing yards in the first half. Sunia Tauteoli netted 44 yards on just five carries and scored the game's first touchdown on a 24-yard run with 4:24 left in the opening period. Edward Fakahafua (eight carries, 53 yards) added East's second score about two minutes later and Barrett VanDyke highlighted his three-carry, 26-yard half with a four-yard scoring romp about three minutes into the second quarter.
And just in case a four-touchdown margin wasn't enough heading into intermission, defensive back Tanner Curtis intercepted Granger quarterback Brentt Phillips (5-for-13 for 84 yards) with less than a minute to play in the half and darted 39 yards to pay dirt.
All told, the Leopards chalked up 277 yards of offense in the first half to Granger's 59. Primarily behind the rushing efforts of Manu Samani (17 carries, 81 yards and one touchdown), the Lancers put together several impressive drives, but they were unable to find the end zone. The Lancers punted four times and committed four turnovers (including three on downs).
East's offense slowed in the second half, but the Leopards' reserves performed well in place of the starters. Curtis moved from defensive back to quarterback after halftime and completed two of four passes for 38 yards while looking quite comfortable behind center. Running back Okeye Nyondweh, the seventh East player to record a rush, added a 16-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds left in the contest.
