From Deseret News archives:
3A high school football championship: Clutch kick lifts Juan Diego to title
In that situation, with no other players on the field with him except his holder, Bentrude drilled one field goal try after another.
When he lined up for a 22-yard field goal with 4.0 seconds left, Bentrude did his best to channel his halftime successes and ignore his disastrous in-game point-after attempts.
"I just tried to keep on visualizing it going in and through the uprights," Bentrude said.
Vision became reality for Bentrude. He drilled the field goal to lift Juan Diego to a 21-18 victory over Hurricane on Friday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Soaring Eagle claimed their first state title since 2004. Juan Diego also earned its first 3A football title and became only the third Utah high school team to compile a 14-0 record.
Senior quarterback Brian May set up Bentrude's big game-winner with a 55-yard screen pass to Tana Vea that set Juan Diego up at the Hurricane 3-yard line. Vea nearly made it to the end zone after breaking a tackle or two but was stopped on a touchdown-saving shoestring tackle by Gary Bracken.
The Soaring Eagle did not feel content to protect the ball and take their chances in overtime. They felt confident they could end the game in regulation.
"We knew we could do it," May said. "When we got in the huddle, we knew we could do this. Everybody had confidence in each other."
Juan Diego felt confident because it produced a crucial touchdown in another last-second situation before halftime. After Hurricane cut the lead to 6-3 on a 23-yard field goal from Cory Edwards with 8.3 seconds left in the first half, Lars Gunderson took the ensuing kickoff back 97 yards to make it 12-3.
Gunderson ripped off the second longest kickoff return in a state title game. His run fell two yards shy of equaling the record set by Taylorsville's Ryan Filipe against Skyline in the 1999 5A championship game.
The junior shrugged off the notion that he had done anything special. He said that anyone could have made it through the hole Juan Diego's line had created for him, including fellow returner Tyler Morales.
"If Tyler would have got the ball, he would have scored," Gunderson said. "It was just our blocking."
Juan Diego did a good job of containing Dotson, the state's leading rusher. Although he rushed for both Tiger touchdowns, he managed to gain only 53 yards on 17 carries. The Soaring Eagle knew he was dangerous and made a point of trying to limit the damage he could do to them.
"We tried to get 11 guys to him," Juan Diego coach John Colosimo said. "We tried to key on him and get as many guys as we could to him. We knew we could not let him get a head of steam."
Juan Diego's top rushers had fewer problems getting past the Hurricane defense. Morales surpassed the 100-yard mark once again, finishing with 118 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Vea added another 63 yards on 16 carries. The two backs combined to gain 295 all-purpose yards for the Soaring Eagle.
E-mail: jcoon@desnews.com
Recent comments
As someone who was at the 3A Championship Game, I'm confused as to...
To Billj | Nov. 27, 2008 at 8:19 p.m.
What's that smell?
To big pepsi | Nov. 26, 2008 at 1:26 p.m.
They must not know what a screen play looks like down south or how to...
Wow | Nov. 25, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.
- China mine disaster recounted 10:02 a.m.
- VMI faces sexism accusations 9:56 a.m.
- Mubarak warns Israel over Jerusalem 9:39 a.m.
- 65 leaders set for climate summit 9:36 a.m.
- Nevada grabs rushing records 9:34 a.m.
- RSL will play for MLS Cup tonight 3:06 a.m.
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime 3:06 a.m.
- Utah Utes whip SDSU 3:05 a.m.
- BYU records with win 3:05 a.m.
- RSL dancing with soccer stars 3:04 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
193 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
153 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
104 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
yeah right. BYU by 21 easy.
Hans - I am not the best reader in the world, so I went back to check on...
I am wondering why I don't feel so confident about next weeks game even after...
He made a couple mistakes last night when he had break away baskets in front...
There is not even an LDS chapel on base. The district piggy backs and used...
a ball bat...sounds pretty dangerous to me and how many others are out there...
What's a Billderburg?
1-20
is interested in 2 things 1 Making more money for Glenn Beck and 2 making...
Religion passes, with flying colors, "tests" on a daily basis. Example:...


