Herriman punches ticket to playoffs with 41-20 win over PG


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PLEASANT GROVE — With a playoff berth hanging in the balance, the Herriman Mustangs hit the road in Region 4 to not only finish the season schedule, but to also help determine the final region standings.

Herriman accomplished its goal of moving on to play in the state playoffs with a solid, 41-20, win over Pleasant Grove Thursday night.

"When you play in Region 4, you find out it is a grinder every game," Herriman head coach, Dustin Pierce said. "I think our defense is the best in the region, but Pleasant Grove kept coming back and threatening. They are a good team you have to respect."

After recovering fumble punt by Pleasant Grove, Herriman got on the board when Niua Mahe scored on a 23-yard run to give the Mustangs the 7-0 lead with 5:53 remaining in the first quarter.

The score remained the same at the first quarter, but the Mustangs scored twice in the second quarter to end the half leading 21-0.

The third quarter belonged to the Vikings. Pleasant Grove quarterback Christian Miller connected with junior wide receiver Malik Overstreet on a 12-yard scoring strike to cut the lead to 21-7.

The Mustangs answered, however, with a 47-yard field goal from Osborne — his first of two in the game — to stretch the lead to 24-7.

Just before the end of the quarter, Miller connected with junior wide receiver Coleman Edwards on an 8-yard scoring strike to trim the lead to 24-13.

Miller and Edwards connected again for a touchdown in the final quarter, but the Mustangs solidified their place in the state playoffs by breaking the game open with 17 fourth-quarter points.

"In this league, you win or go home," Pierce said. "I love where we are at. I love being able to go to the playoffs. My guys have improved week after week and we are ready to play. We gave up an easy touchdown, but when you play football, that happens."

Pleasant Grove (2-4 in region) misses the playoffs with the loss.

"Hey, our kids battled all night," Pleasant Grove coach Les Hamilton said. "They should be proud of what they have done and the relationships they have created."

For the first time in a dozen years, Hamilton won't be taking a team to the playoffs.

"I've been coaching for 12 years and this is the first time I've not gone to the playoffs with my team," he said. "It's tough."

"I hate this feeling and I'm not going to forget it," Edwards said.

Pleasant Grove tallied 356 yards total offense (116 rushing, 240 passing on 23-of-42 attempts), while Edwards had 12 receptions for 113 yards and two scores.

Herriman recorded 449 yards total offense (352 rushing, 97 passing on 5-of-13 attempts). Of not, Osborne scored 11 points for the Mustangs, giving him 54 total points in the regular season.

Herriman, having earned the third place in Region 4 is lined up to play the second-place team in Region 2. That region still has games to play Friday to settle up which team will be placed in what sequence for Region 2. Kent Allen lives in Pleasant Grove and reports on Pleasant Grove High School Varsity sports for Deseret Connect.

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