3A high school football: Healthy Healy puts the power in Tigers' game

Jarom Healy is 100 percent again and he picked the perfect time.

The torn meniscus the Hurricane fullback suffered in his left knee back in September is a distant memory, and the return of his powerful running game is a big reason the Tigers knocked off Park City 24-19 in Friday's 3A semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Healy carried the ball 24 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns on a day when Hurricane leaned almost exclusively on the running game to advance to its second straight state championship.

"Last week was the first time we saw that bounce in his step and we saw him doing great things," said Hurricane coach Chris Homer. "We expected him to turn it on today and he did."

Healy's first touchdown cut Park City's lead to 12-7 late in the first quarter and then his second score increased the Tigers' lead to 21-12 five minutes before halftime.

He didn't score in the second half as Park City's rush defense stiffened, but Healy rushed for 71 yards in the physical second half.

"We heard how physical they were and how strong they were and we knew we needed to bring our A game," said Healy.

Healy was just happy to be playing.

On Sept. 25 he tore the meniscus in his left knee in double overtime of Hurricane's win over Pine View. He sat out four weeks following minor surgery, returning to the field in a season-ending loss to Desert Hills. He only carried the ball eight times against the Thunder, and then only four times against American Leadership in the first round of the playoffs.

During his absence Robert Reeve served as the primary fullback in the Wing-T offense and more than held his own, particularly against Cedar, when he rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Reeve he sprained his wrist during the quarterfinals against Morgan, putting all of the burden on Healy for the semifinals. He was more than up for the challenge in an impressive performance Friday.

If both Reeve and Healy are 100 percent for next week that will make the Tigers that much more dangerous against Juan Diego. "We just had to go with Jarom," said Homer. "Him touching the ball was amazing." Reeve carried the ball once for five yards, but with his wrist only about 85 percent the coaching staff decided to go exclusively with Healy at fullback.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com