High school football: Defense spurs Darts to win over Fremont

PLAIN CITY — Davis High's football team is built upon a stout defense, and a strong running game. The Darts leaned heavily upon their blueprint for success in a black-and-blue 14-7 win over Fremont.

The defense came up with big plays when it needed them most, and Tanner Hinds and the offense ground out enough points to hold off a game Fremont team.

The game's decisive drive came with just more than six minutes left in the game. After scoring on their first possession, a methodical drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes, the Darts struggled to move the ball against the heavy blitzes of Fremont.

Davis' previous possession resulted in an interception and coach Ryan Bishop told his offensive line before they went on the field, "We're going to go win the game right now by running the ball down the field."

The offense took heed of its coach's direction and blew open holes for Hinds, who converted a critical third-and-two by busting a 25-yard run to the Fremont nine-yard line. Hinds took the next snap on a sweep around the left end to put Davis up for good.

While the offense capped the win, it was the defense that kept Davis in the game. Fremont had a difficult time mounting anything against a defense led by defensive ends James Cowser and Josh Kariya.

The biggest defensive play of the game came when the Darts didn't bite on a Fremont fake field goal on the Davis three-yard line. The defense stayed home and snuffed out the pass play that was completed but came up short of the end zone.

Cowswer lived in the Fremont backfield all night, racking up three sacks and multiple tackles for loss, one of which came on a fourth-and-one play in the first half.

"We put an emphasis on everyone doing their job," Cowser said. "Honestly, most the plays I was able to make was because my D-line was forcing it my way. I know that sounds cheesy, but that's the way it was."

There was nothing cheesy about the final defensive play to seal the win, as Tallon Burton intercepted a ball in the end zone that had been tipped twice by a Fremont receiver before falling in his hands.

"I can't say enough about our defense. They kept putting us in good positions. They do a good job of getting to the ball. The D-line takes pressure off of the linebackers, and we keep the ball in front of us," said Bishop.

The win puts the Darts right back in the thick of the Region 1 playoff race at 3-2.