CEDAR CITY — South Summit's defense continues to dominate.

The Wildcats held the opposition to just a single touchdown for the fifth straight game, and combined with another efficient performance on the ground they suddenly find themselves in a state championship game for the first time in a decade.

Levi Thompson rushed for 127 yards and Trevor Lewis added 124 of his own to lead South Summit to a 17-6 victory over Grand in the 2A semifinals at Southern Utah University on Saturday afternoon.

"It means a lot to our seniors this year coming off of a bad year last year," said Thompson, whose teams faces San Juan in the 2A championship game next Saturday. "Our defense shut down a lot of offenses that are good this year, and we just have to make sure we keep it up next week."

South Summit's defense held Grand to 223 yards of total offense and Parker Anderson came up with two big interceptions in the fourth quarter. Anderson's first pick spoiled a promising Grand drive with less than six minutes remaining and effectively clinched the victory for the Wildcats who improved to 10-1 with the victory.

"It's been a long time, we needed this," said South Summit coach Jerry Parker.

The Wildcats are appearing in their first title game since 2000, and are seeking their first state championship since winning the 1A title in 1988.

After a scoreless first quarter in which South Summit had several promising drives stall in Grand territory, the Wildcats finally got on the board with 5:44 remaining in the half as Thompson barreled his way into the endzone from one yard out for the 7-0 lead.

"We did a pretty good job moving the ball, but their defense stiffened up and we couldn't put the dagger in it. They played really well, it was a tough game," said Parker.

After falling behind, Grand responded quickly with an impressive 8-play, 80-yard scoring drive that Dallen Dalton capped on an 8-yard run cutting the lead to 7-6 following the missed extra point.

Grand's defense continued to make big plays intercepting a pair passes during the remainder of the first half, but the Red Devils couldn't capitalize on either and trailed by one at the break.

In the second half South Summit's methodical offense took over with all the damage coming on the ground as Lewis was unable to throw the football because of an elbow and sternum injury.

The injury, however, wasn't an issue with Lewis running the ball as he scored on a 26-yard run midway through the third quarter to increase South Summit's lead to 14-6.

Trevor Rydalch upped the lead to 17-6 with a field goal midway through the fourth quarter, and Anderson all but iced the with an interception on Grand's ensuing drive.

South Summit ran 29 plays from scrimmage in the second half, and all were runs but one punt and one field goal attempt.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com