4A high school football: Mustangs rip open close game in second half

It was a long-awaited rematch, and a game that was supposed to be much closer this time around.

But after taking Highland's best shots in the first half of a 4A quarterfinal football game on Friday Mountain Crest once again earned a decisive victory over the Rams. This time, the Mustangs defeated the Rams 48-7 and had the 35-point mercy rule clock ticking for almost the entire fourth quarter.

Mountain Crest advances to play Timpview in the 4A semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday.

"We just came out on fire in the second half," said Mountain Crest junior receiver Nate Rigby. "We came out a little slow (to start the game). I think we took care of things."

That's a bit of an understatement. The Mustangs only led 14-7 at halftime after a hard-fought and hard-hitting first half. The turning point seemed to come on the second play of the second half, when quarterback Alex Kuresa threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Rigby.

Mountain Crest then forced a punt, put together a six-play scoring drive and went up 28-7. The floodgates were opened at Highland High, just as they were when the two teams played each other in Week 1. Mountain Crest won that game, 48-27.

"We got some mismatches," said Mustangs coach Mark Wootton. "We knew they had a lot of kids going both ways and we hoped it would get them tired."

The Rams certainly weren't tired in the first half, and they outplayed the Mustangs in some ways before halftime. Fullback Toi Taufa looked unstoppable early on, rushing for 105 yards in the first half.

Turnovers, however, kept the Rams from taking control of the game when they had the chance. Highland had three drives end with fumbles in the first half, with Raider Lofthouse, Tyler Weese and Brennen Archibald scooping up the loose balls for Mountain Crest.

The Mustangs' offense uncharacteristically sputtered in the first half, but their defense did enough to keep Highland from taking the momentum.

"They stepped it up for us," Kuresa said. "I think our defense is one of the best in the state."

Mountain Crest's offense isn't too shabby, either. Kuresa had another remarkable game despite taking some shots from Highland's defense. He completed 23-of-31 passes for 407 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

"They went after him," Wootton said. "You have to try and get some hits on him, slow him down, but he's a tough kid. He did a good job."

Kuresa completed passes to six different receivers. Running back Alex Knowles had eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. Rigby had six receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns.