Sky View keeps rolling, beats Highland 35-11

SMITHFIELD – Strong winds and a second quarter lightning delay wasn’t enough to stop the Sky View momentum and prevent the Bobcats from keeping their undefeated football season alive. They beat the Highland Rams 35-11 Friday night and improved to 3-0 on the season.

The game started great for quarterback Garrison Beach who led the Bobcats to touchdowns on the first three drives. The first came on a 72-yard touchdown pass to running back Mason Tye, the next was a 38-yard pass to wide receiver Bryce Mortenson. The third was a 4-yard quarterback keeper that capped a 97-yard drive. They did all this in the first quarter while not allowing Highland to score a single point.

“I was so pleased with our defense,” head coach Craig Anhder said. “They prepared so hard. We hadn’t seen anything like that, and I believe Highland is a very good team running that triple option. I was really pleased at their start.”

Early in the second quarter, Highland was driving and finally looking to score a touchdown of their own. They probably would have been successful if it weren’t for junior Riley Haderlie. His touchdown-saving tackle left the Rams with a first-and-goal situation from the 8. Before they were able to finish the drive, lightning was spotted several miles away, the stadium was evacuated and play was postponed for nearly 45 minutes. It reminded Anhder of a game he coached several years ago against Roy where there was a longer but similar lightning delay. It even had the same score. The main difference was that back then his team was on the losing end of a 21-0 deficit.

“We ended up winning 42 to 21,” Anhder recalled. “I kept saying you don’t know what’s going to happen, we’ve got to come out fast, and I felt good that they did come out fast.”

Immediately after the delay, senior lineman Colton Durrant came up with a big sack, but Highland responded with a field goal on the next play to cut the lead to 21-3. Sky View scored one more time in the first half on a 68-yard drive, but it came at a cost. Mason Tye, the starting running back, left the game after sustaining an injury to his leg. The Bobcats went into halftime leading 28-3.

“It looks like its just kind of a deep bruise in his thigh,” Anhder said. “He took a helmet right in the thigh. Everything looks to be OK. He was getting better and better and if we needed him we could have used him.”

Each team added one touchdown in the second half. After Beach was picked off in the end zone late in the third quarter, Sky View forced a fumble and recovered the ball deep in Highland territory the next play. Beach made up for the interception shortly after by picking up his second rushing touchdown of the night.

The Rams scored their only touchdown of the night at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The ball was punched into the end zone on third-and-goal after some long pass plays put them into the red zone. A two-point conversation gave the Rams 11 points.

Sky View will play at Weber next Friday night.

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