From Deseret News archives:
High school football: Hart, 'Diggers shred Skyline's defense
After being stopped on their first possession, the Beetdiggers scored the next seven times they had the ball to cruise to a 41-21 win over Skyline. The win sets up a true Region 2 championship game when Jordan hosts top-ranked Alta next Friday night. Both teams are 4-0 in league play.
The ball hardly got dirty when Jordan had it on Wednesday night. Beetdiggers quarterback Alex Hart shredded Skyline's defense, completing 19-of-23 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He also did some damage with his legs, rushing for 60 yards on 21 carries and two more scores.
"I thought our quarterback played pretty well," said Jordan coach Alex Jacobson. "He's getting better every week."
Hart, a junior, has been a weapon for the Beetdiggers throughout the year. He has come on strong down the stretch of the season while being protected by a strong unit of offensive linemen in Utah recruit Vyncent Jones, Kyle Johnson, Lasater Kinikni, Tyler Larsen and Bill Vavau.
"It's easy to throw when you have a great line and awesome receivers," Hart said. "You got to give credit to them. I'll take a little (credit)."
Skyline struck first when quarterback Kevin Wagstaff scored on the Eagles' opening drive. But the Beetdiggers quickly evened the score and put the game away by halftime. Jordan took its first lead at 14-7 when Dillon Hill scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter. Skyline fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Beetdiggers capitalized with a 20-yard field goal by Garrett Blaisdell.
Hart tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Brown just before halftime to put Jordan up 24-7.
Skyline's fumble didn't necessarily change the game's momentum. The Beetdiggers just got in a groove on offense and couldn't be stopped.
"I don't know what happened," Hart said. "It started clicking. Our defense held them, and that gave us some momentum."
Hart added that it wasn't Jordan's best performance of the season.
"Next week — that will be the best we play," he said.
Skyline got within 10 points after putting together a nine-play scoring drive to open the second half. The Beetdiggers answered with their best drive of the day, mixing seven runs with five passes in an 80-yard drive. It ended when Hart scored on an 11-yard run.
Austin Day recorded a big play for the Beetdiggers' defense when he intercepted a pass in the third quarter. The turnover set up a second field goal by Blaisdell. Hill and Paul Fangaake each sacked Wagstaff one time. Phillip Tarver had 10 total tackles for Jordan.
Skyline rushed for 206 yards. Tupou Hautau was the Eagles' top runner, as he gained 72 yards on 11 carries.
The Eagles had hoped to stay in the league title race and prevent Jordan from facing Alta in a true region championship game next week. Instead, it was the Beetdiggers who ruined senior night for the Eagles.
"We're playing for the region championship on our field," Jacobson said. "Alta is the champs until someone knocks them off. Playing for the region championship was our goal and now we're there."
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com
