High school football: Kearns grinds out rare homecoming win vs. Grizz

KEARNS — The Kearns administration set its team up for a big challenge when it released the schedule for the 2008 homecoming game. After the Cougars had failed to win a homecoming contest since 1996, they were slated to play Copper Hills, a team averaging more than 26 points per game coming into this year's homecoming meeting.

The Kearns players rose to the occasion on Friday as they held the Grizzlies scoreless in a 7-0 smashmouth Region 3 meeting.

"It's good to win homecoming, but it's good to get another region win," said Kearns coach Bill Cosper. "We want to be able to get a second seed and be able to host a first-round playoff game."

Cosper gave credit to his team's defense, which stopped the Grizzlies all night and came through after several Copper Hills attempts at a comeback.

"(Copper Hills) played well on offense, but we had a fantastic defensive effort," Cosper said. "(Copper Hills) played well on defense, too ... They kept stopping us."

He noted several key missed opportunities, including three blocked field goals.

"We left some points on the field tonight," Cosper said.

The Cougars were led by running back Alamoti Vaenuku, who ran all over the Grizzlies for 162 yards on 23 carries. Running back Toa Afatasi added a solid performance with 33 yards on 11 carries and the game's only score — a four-yard touchdown scamper with 7:27 to play in the first half.

Copper Hills quarterback Josh Soter threw completions on 11 of his 22 attempts for 82 yards. He also added 27 yards on the ground on eight attempts. Soter's rushing total was skewed by the Kearns defensive front, which sacked him four times for minus-28 yards.

Running back Brian Bell led the Grizzlies in rushing with 42 yards on 12 attempts.

After leading his team deep into Cougars territory with just under seven minutes to play in the game, Soter was sacked twice for losses totaling 14 yards and the Grizzlies were forced to punt with 6:33 to go.

The Copper Hills defense stepped up, holding Kearns to three-and-out and forcing a punt. The decision to attempt a punt block backfired on the Grizzlies as the defender missed the ball and ran into punter Taylor Whetman, drawing a 15-yard personal foul penalty with 4:24 to play.

The Grizzlies held Kearns on two more downs, but drew a pass interference call against Shayd Matheson, giving the Cougars another first down with 2:48 to play. Runs of 17 and 10 yards by Vaenuku gave the Cougars first downs and allowed them to run out the clock to preserve the win.

"I'm pleased as can be with the shutout," Cosper said.