When Hurricane fell behind Park City by two touchdowns early in the first quarter of its 3A semifinal, the Tigers didn't worry.

They didn't sweat the fact that all the momentum was with the Miners, and with their attack being primarily a running game, they couldn't afford to fall behind by too much.

Instead, the Tigers just went to work and did what they had all season plugging away on the ground.

"We didn't panic. We knew there was still plenty of time on the clock," said Hurricane quarterback Tim Long. "We knew that we were going to be able to execute and just play our game and we would be right back in it."

The Tigers did just that as they rallied to score the next 21 points and held on for a 24-19 victory to advance to next week's championship game in a 3A-title rematch of last season with Juan Diego.

"Ever since the playoffs started we said, 'We believe,' " said Tigers coach Chris Homer. "We do believe. We could have given up super early when it was 12-0, laid an egg, but the kids fought back."

Park City went up early as it took the opening drive 80 yards in seven plays and saw Mat Christensen score on a six-yard run. After stopping Hurricane on a three-and-out, the Miners scored on an eight-play drive that Dylan Chynoweth, who had 137 yards on 23 carries, capped with a four-yard run.

"I was a little surprised, but I wasn't worried about it," said fullback Jarom Healy. "I knew our defense was going to rise up and stop them, and then I knew our offense was going to score some points."

Hurricane responded with a seven-play, 65-yard drive that Healy finished with a nine-yard touchdown run. It was a perfect example of what the Tigers were able to do the rest of the game. The offensive line got off the ball and opened up holes for the running backs and Healy — who finished with 140 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Jacob Pugh ran the ball 11 times for 80 yards and a touchdown. Zach Sorensen had four carries and 37 yards, and Long took it six times for 32 yards.

"We know what we are, and we are going to run the football," said Healy. "Our lineman did a great job of getting a push, and we are happy going right ahead and gaining three to four yards a play."

That was evident as the Tigers attempted only four passes in the entire game. They were content to turn around and hand the ball off as they did it 49 times for 293 yards, or good for six yards a pop. "I love turning around and handing the ball off to our guys," said Long. "You know that the line is going to do their job and then we have guys that are going to hit the hole and make people miss."

After the opening two drives for Park City, the Tigers allowed only one more score that came lat in the fourth quarter, and they iced it in the closing seconds when Pugh intercepted a pass. "They came here expecting to win," said Homer. "They believe they are going to win. They believe they are going to win next week, and that's taking nothing away from Juan Diego because we know how good they are."

e-mail: mblack@desnews.com