High school football: 'Diggers comeback to beat Cavemen

SANDY — In one game, the Jordan Beetdiggers experienced a season's worth of football emotions. There was superiority, devastation, hope, heartbreak, and finally, elation. Friday night's 43-42 overtime win against the American Fork Cavemen was one of those games where both teams deserved to win, and every play mattered immensely.

American Fork's Chase Hansen dove into the end zone to put the Cavemen ahead to begin overtime, but Tyler Bahoravitch's extra point sailed wide right, giving Jordan an opportunity to win with a touchdown and conversion. But after three stalled plays, quarterback Alex Hartconnected with McCoy Hill down the right sideline for a 25-yard fourth down score. A rabid crowd then erupted after Cody Rogers converted the extra point to seal the improbable comeback for Jordan.

Just getting to overtime was an adventure for the Diggers. Down 36-21 and facing a fourth-and-11 deep in Jordan territory, Hart connected with McCoy Hill to keep Jordan's hopes alive. Junior Malaga then recovered an onside kick, giving Jordan the ball near midfield.

Hart found Steve Morgan for a 34-yard gain, then reached pay dirt by connecting with Braden Hammond from nine yards out. Hart and Hammond would connect again on the PAT to knot the game at 36-36.

American Fork was forced to punt on their ensuing drive, but Taylor Loomis fumbled the fair catch and the Cavemen recovered. With less than eight minutes on the clock and the ball at the Jordan 26, quarterback Chase Hansen led a slow drive that managed to eat nearly three minutes off the clock. But disaster struck in the form of an offensive pass interference penalty that pulled them out of striking distance. A trio of Jordan defenders would sack Hansen on the next play, forcing the Cavemen to punt near midfield.

Hart would again drive his team to the goal line, where the Caveman defense stuffed several attempts to score as the clock wound down to less than a minute. With the game on the line, Rogers' 35-yard attempt missed, sending the game into extra frames.

Hart finished with 327 yards through the air and four touchdowns, along with 120 yards and another touchdown rushing. Malaga also added key rushing yards to go with two sacks and several tackles on defense.

The Diggers jumped out to a 14-0 lead early, then watched it evaporate into a two score deficit by halftime and into the fourth quarter. Hansen and running back Cade Zarbock then took over, leading American Fork to 29 consecutive points in the second quarter. The Jordan offense, meanwhile, was rushed and confused by a strong pass rush from Cavemen Ryker Matthews, Garrett Anderson and Matt Healey. The teams matched touchdowns in the third quarter, before Hart and Jordan came to life once again. It was the first region game for both teams in the brutal new Region 4.