Tigers feast on Delta, await Judge-Juan Diego winner in title game
| Jared Lloyd • For The Spectrum & Daily News • Published: November 12. 2010 4:55AM - Last modified: November 12. 2010 7:32AM
SALT LAKE CITY - Perhaps the first sign of how successful the night would be for Hurricane in Thursday night's 3A state semifinal contest against Delta came when the Tigers won the coin toss.
It was pretty smooth sailing from that point on.
Hurricane dominated in every facet of the game against the Rabbits, rolling to a 38-7 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, earning its third-straight berth in the 3A state championship game.
"We stayed focused the entire game," said Tiger senior running back Jarom Healey, who racked up 136 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns in the first half. "We didn't want to give them any momentum. We just wanted to keep the pedal to the metal the whole way. The few times we didn't we got together and got rolling again."
Hurricane awaits the winner of today's Judge-Juan Diego semifinal for next week's 3A title game. If the Soaring Eagle prevail, it will be the third time in a row they've met the Tigers in the championship game.
Hurricane put the foot on the accelerator in the early going, rocketing out in front by scoring two touchdowns on its first three offensive plays. From there, they never allowed Delta to come close.
After stopping the Rabbits on a three-and-out, the Tigers needed only two plays to cover 68 yards and take the lead. Senior running back Trann Smith capped the surge with a 45-yard touchdown dash down the right sideline, putting his team up 7-0.
"(Getting out fast) is something we've wanted to do the entire year but we've only really been able to do it in the last three games," said Hurricane senior lineman Daniel Nielson. "It makes the game a lot more in your control. We kept the momentum on just one side. I'd much rather be ahead than trying to come from behind."
Another strong showing by the Tiger defense forced another quick punt by Delta. When a squibbed punt gave Hurricane the ball with great field position, it didn't take long to capitalize.
On the first play from scrimmage, Healey took the ball and broke free, running through tackles and away from defenders for a 38-yard scoring run. The only dim spot on the drive - and one of few for the day - came when senior kicker Cory Edwards's extra point hit off the upright.
"We had such a quick start that I was little worried about us having a letdown," said Tiger head coach Chris Homer. "The first time we played Delta, we got up 20-0 and then laid an egg in the second half. We were by no means perfect, but we played with excitement and class."
Hurricane added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to give it a comfortable lead heading into halftime. The first came on a fourth-and-one from the Delta 39, when Healey was able to get past the hard-rushing Rabbits and found himself with nothing but grass between him and the end zone.
"I told the coach on that play, 'I got your back,'" Healey said. "I got the ball and bounced it to the outside. Then there was just one guy to beat and I knew I could do it. It was just instinct but it was also trusting all of the guys to do their part."
Tiger junior running back Brian Scott got into the action late in the period, going up the middle on a 22-yard scoring run to make it 27-0 at halftime.
While the offense was making big plays, the defense kept Delta in check. The Rabbits only managed 277 yards for the game (compared to 422 for the Tigers) and senior linebacker McCrae Vaifanua intercepted two Delta passes in addition to recording a sack.
"It helped that we were bigger than they were," Homer said. "In going through the line after the game, you could see the size difference. We were able to be physical and we also matched their heart."
The second half was more of the same. Scott scored again in the third quarter, this time on a 9-yard run, and ended with 150 yards on 14 carries and the two scores.
The Tigers pounded the ball throughout the game and finished with 368 yards rushing on just 43 carries and five scores on the ground. The players and coaches were quick to point to Nielsen and the offensive line for opening the holes.
"Everything goes to the offensive line," Healey said. "They don't get enough credit but every touch and every touchdown belongs to them. We couldn't do it without them making the holes."
Nielson, who has verbally committed to play for Utah, is excited to get another chance to play at Rice-Eccles Stadium while wearing a Hurricane uniform.
"It's exciting but it's kind of sad too (to know that will be his last game as a Tiger)," he said. "I love playing high school football, but I'm excited to go to the next level and become better."
Homer said he doesn't care whether his team's next opponent is Judge Memorial or Juan Diego, but the players want another shot at the Soaring Eagle.
"It's good to be back and get another shot," Homer said. "But this is a different group of seniors. They want to make sure it's not close, whoever it is we play. We just want to win."
The title tilt is slated for 11 a.m. Nov. 19.
|
|
Activities 
