Exciting Encore
Photo Credit: Kay Fawson
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September 8, 2011 • Trent Madsen, Sports Editor
Filed under Activities and Athletics
The Woods Cross Football team knows how to make games exciting. In the last two games the Cats have won by two or less points. Friday night in Logan the Cats repeated the same dramatic finish with a 32-31 win over Mountain Crest as they did when they defeated Bonneville 26-24. Every successful team always gets a little bit of luck, or a ball that bounces their way and the cats got just that late in the game.
The Cats dominated every aspect of the game Friday night. Even though they dominated the Mustangs kept battling back and making it a game even though being down most of the game.
The game started off with defense ruling the game. A slow start lead to a 3-0 lead for Mountain Crest who were 1-1 going into the game. Just as in their two previous games, the Wildcats had a huge 2nd quarter that gave them an advantage going into halftime. At half the Cats lead 15-9.
The Woods Cross offensive line has been their anchor to this point in the season. They protected junior quarterback, Skyler Farns, like he was royalty, just as they have all season. The line also opened up holes for the running backs to run through. Behind the strong line three touchdowns were scored on the ground including two by Sean Barton and one from Farns.
The second quarter was key to the victory. Sean Barton ran for a two yard touchdown with a Justin Ward PAT. Ward finished with 3 PAT’s. Later in the quarter Barton ran for his second score of the day, and Jake Brown caught the two-point conversion.
With high expectations coming into the season, first year starter Skyler Farns has produced and has quieted all of the critics. As the offensive leader, he marched his team up the field not only all game, but all year. The defense had no answer for him. In the third quarter the pocket collapsed and there was immense pressure put on Farns. He broke three tackles, and found Barton down field who attempted to dive for the pylon but was just short. The next play Skyler called his own number and snuck into the end zone after the line got a good push.
Farns was as precise as a surgeon all game and hooked up with fellow junior, Sean Barton in the fourth quarter for his 6th touchdown pass of the year.
Mountain Crest battled back in the final quarter. Down by 7 late in the game, Mustang quarterback Eddy Hall constructed a drive that resulted in a 1 yard run by Hall. The difference maker was Justin Call missing the point after. The Cats got the ball back being up one and drained the clock until the clock went to zero.
The Cats defense contained a very dangerous offense that is used to put up big numbers on the scoreboard. Nick Castillo, Derek Lord, Sean Barton, and Jake Brown all played excellent in the secondary to shut down a dangerous passing attack, forcing Mountain Crest into more of a run oriented game.
All the Wildcats games this season have come down to the final moments including the Bonneville game, Woods Cross was able to come up on top in the close game after the opposing team surged back.
Woods Cross improved their record to 2-1 and beat Mountain Crest for the first time in 11 years. They travel to Pocatello, Idaho this week to face Highland, Idaho. The Cats have momentum and hope to keep it as they face an out of state opponent. Utah schools have not faced up well against out of state opponents this season so far. Highland, Idaho overtook a very good Utah School, Sky View. Ian Filiaga and Andre Lopez each had two touchdown runs as Highland beat Sky View 32-14 at Sky View.
The Wildcats have a tough task ahead of them but are preparing hard so they can return home from Idaho with another victory.
Game MVP: Sean Barton. Sean has been the backbone of the team all season. He starts on both sides of the ball and his presence is always felt. He had a total of three touchdowns against Mountain Crest, including a huge fourth quarter touchdown reception to put the cats up by 14. He also had an extra point block.
Trent,
Well written article. Much better than anything I have read in the papers, especialy the trib! Thanks for your support of the team and keep up the good work!
ej
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