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PARK CITY — Cedar High coach Todd Peacock is used to winning.
Over the last decade, the Redmen have had great success, albeit without winning a state championship.
Then, last year, the program bottomed out with Cedar winning only one game, against annual cellar-dweller Canyon View.
Fast forward one year, and Cedar is one victory closer to a state title after beating the Park City Miners, 23-13, in the opening round of the state playoffs at Park City’s Dozier Field.
“I really am proud of these guys,” said Peacock. “I think these kids saw what it takes and I think they’ve brought it up a level. I think we’re moving back up the ladder here, I hope.”
Cedar was able to consistently move the football, thanks to a strong rushing attack led by senior Ty Bulloch. Bulloch helped the Redmen control the clock while Cedar pushed deep into Park City territory. The Redmen scored on a 10-yard scramble by quarterback Brecken Lewis to take a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Park City responded though, forcing a Cedar fumble later in the quarter. Starting a drive in Cedar territory, the Miners’ quarterback, Ian Moritz, scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run, which was negated by a Park City penalty. However, the Miners scored on the very next play — a 22-yard pass to Alec Wing that knotted the game at 6-6.
"I really am proud of these guys," said Peacock. "I think these kids saw what it takes and I think they've brought it up a level. " -Cedar High coach Todd Peacock
As the first half drew to a close, Cedar’s Mccrae Murray intercepted a Moritz pass, giving the Redmen one more scoring opportunity. As the final seconds of the second quarter ticked down, Jeff Rogers kicked a 42-yard field goal to give Cedar a 9-6 lead at halftime.
The Redmen opened the third quarter with the football but fumbled the ball away to the Miners. Park City eventually scored on a 26-yard touchdown by Grayson Maddux to take a 13-9 lead going into the fourth quarter.
With about five minutes left in the game, trailing by four, Cedar got its chance for a season-preserving drive. Using the feet of Lewis and Bulloch, the Redmen drove into the red zone from their 22-yard line, thanks to several Park City penalties and a crucial Lewis-to-Brock Oldroyd pass completion on third-and-five. Then, Lewis scored on a 10-yard scamper into the end zone to give the Redmen a 16-13 lead.
Bulloch unofficially rushed for 118 yards in the game. Lewis rushed for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
Now, the Redmen prepare to take on traditional rival Dixie in a rematch the Flyers dominated earlier this season.
Only this time, Cedar believes the feel of the game will be different.
“That’s the one game this year we felt like we really didn’t come out and play our best,” Peacock said. “It was 41-0, and that’s because they were nice.”
