High school football: Defense steps up for Silverwolves to beat Kearns

KEARNS — Dillon Draper rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries as he helped to lead Riverton to a 22-6 victory over Kearns to spoil the Cougars' homecoming Friday in both teams' Region 3 opener.

"It's a good win for us," said Riverton coach Mike Miller. "Kearns is a good football team. Our kids played well. They did what they had to do for the victory."

The Silverwolves' defense effectively shut down Kearns' normally high-powered offense and dual-threat quarterback J.R. Finai throughout much of the game. Finai finished with 144 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception as he connected on 15-of-31 passes, but 66 of those yards came on the lone Kearns scoring drive late in the fourth quarter when the game was all but decided.

"We figured (Finai) was the key to their success," Miller said. "I just think our defense played well in all aspects."

After a scoreless first quarter, Riverton broke the game open with Faaitua Laei's 71-yard touchdown run with 2:15 to play in the second.

Riverton then forced Kearns to a three-and-out and capitalized on good field position, capping a 27-yard scoring drive with a 14-yard touchdown run by Conner Evans. The Silverwolves converted a two-point conversion for a 15-0 lead with 42 seconds left in the half.

In the fourth quarter, the Silverwolves capitalized on Finai's interception and took over at the Kearns 43. Draper scored on a 41-yard scamper to two plays later and the team had a 22-point lead.

Finai gave life to the previously anemic Kearns offense when he connected on passes of nine, 13, and 15 yards before hitting Sammy Sweat on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 2:37 to play.

Kearns failed its attempt at an onside kick, but held the Silverwolves to three-and-out. However, it figured to be too little too late as Riverton had managed to milk the clock down to just over a minute remaining before punting the ball away.

Miller said he would have enjoyed holding on to the shutout, but one score was all right.

"We'd like to get a shutout, but a win is a win," Miller said. "This was a great way to start region play."