High school football: Bengals post third straight shutout

WEST VALLEY CITY – Of their three consecutive shutouts to open the season, the Brighton Bengals' 31-0 victory Friday night at Hunter may be their most impressive yet.

The stingy Bengals held Hunter to less than 50 yards of total offense and allowed just two first downs that didn't come via penalty or fumbled punt. Led by lineman extraordinaire Ricky Heimuli, the Bengals swarmed the Wolverine offense and rarely allowed the ball to cross the line of scrimmage.

The Bengal offense was piloted by sophomore quarterback Andy Jones, who completed 9-of-13 passes for 167 yards and two scores. Tailback Sosake TaKai contributed 87 yards and a touchdown for Brighton, who has outscored their first three opponents 110-0.

"Our guys aren't focused on that (the shutout streak), they're just focused on the next opponent," Bengals coach Ryan Bullett said. "Hunter High beat us up last year, and our kids were fired up to play tonight. I'm glad our kids came to play and got after it."

Despite being on the field most of the night, the Hunter defense put forth a strong effort not reflected by the final score. The Wolverines' defensive line, consisting of Arthur Naeata, George Wolfgramm, Sergio Lopez and Steve Barbas, frequently disrupted the Brighton offense before wearing down late.

In a very physical first half, neither team was able to find any consistency but Brighton profited from two big plays. TaKai scampered 35 yards to set up an Anthony Mares field goal in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead. Then Jones connected with Stephen Robinson for a 45-yard pass that enabled Moses Lotulelei to score from three yards out and a 10-0 margin.

Hunter seemingly caught a break when a rugby-style punt by Fausia Tanuvasa bounced off a Brighton player near the line of scrimmage, only to be recovered downfield by Tanuvasa himself. But clipping and holding penalties on the Wolverines' ensuing play sent them into a first-and-25 hole from which they were unable to emerge.

The Brighton offense came alive in the second half, as TaKai used second, third and fourth efforts to emerge from a large pileup and score from 19-yards out to open the third quarter. Early in the fourth, Jones would find tight end Zane Smith and wideout Nate Hansen for touchdowns on consecutive drives to put the game away.

With a 3-0 record, the Bengals have already eclipsed their win totals of each of the last two seasons. But Bullett was quick to say that the hardest part is yet to come.

"We're going to get tested. Our region is brutal, but our kids know what's ahead. We're getting ready for Lone Peak and that's all there is to it."

The Bengals played without three-year starter Alex Whittingham, who tore his ACL in week one. Bullett said Whittingham might return to his long snapper role soon.

Andy Jones, filling in for the injured Derek Newell, has played well over the course of two games, leading Bullett to say he has confidence in both and that having two quarterbacks is a good problem to have.