Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
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:00 Fourth Quarter
Highland Rams 46, Springville Red Devils 21
Highland advances to the 4A state championship game for the first time since 2005 with a 46-21 win over Springville. The Red Devils couldn't slow down the run. The Rams rushed for 486 yards on 50 carries. Sione Houma led the way with 216 yards and three touchdowns. Two of his scores went for more than 60 yards. Quarterback Anthony Smithson also had a big day rushing for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also threw the ball for 107 yards. Wide Reciever Jaylon Miyasaki had a big game for Springville catching 8 passes for 193 yards and two scores. He scored a 68 yard touchdown after hauling in a pass with one hand. Quarterback Steve Bate 18-30 for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns but his 3 interceptions were costly. Highland has a chance to win their first state title since 1986.
6:11 Fourth Quarter
Highland Rams 46, Springville Red Devils 21
Steve Bate is picked off again. This time Wil Neilsen steps in front of the receiver. His big return was negated by a penalty. Highland has the ball at midfield. I'm heading down to the field for post-game interviews. I will have final stats up soon.
8:10 Fourth Quarter
Highland Rams 46, Springville Red Devils 21
Highland quarterback Anthony Smithson is sacked on 4th and 2. Springville gets the ball back at their own 45 yard line.
10:11 Fourth Quarter
Highland Rams 46, Springville Red Devils 21
Steve Bate has thrown another interception to the Rams Colby Earl. That may do it for Springville. Highland takes over on the Red Devils 49-yard line.
11:50 Fourth Quarter
Highland Rams 46, Springville Red Devils 21
Highland RB Sione Houma with a more modest 1-yard dive for a touchdown. A 25 point lead with just 12 minutes left may be too much for Springville to overcome.
2:27 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 39, Springville Red Devils 21
Fihi Kaufusi sacks Springville quarterback Steve Bate. Then, on the next play, Bate throws an interception right into the hands of the Rams Colby Earl who returns it to the Springville 28-yard line.
6:00 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 39, Springville Red Devils 21
After the big gain, Springville forces a fumble and recovers at their own 25-yard line. The Red Devils finally get the big defensive play they needed.
6:10 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 39, Springville Red Devils 21
Highland runs the counter and gashes the Red Devils defense for a big gain on third down. Huge momentum killer for Springville who desperately needs a stop.
8:24 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 39, Springville Red Devils 21
On 3rd and 6, Steve Bate finds Jaylon Miyasaki in the middle of the field and he runs into the end zone for a 33 yard touchdown. Springville now needs it's defense to step up and get stops if they want to get back into this game.
10:28 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 39, Springville Red Devils 14
Smithson has done it again. He runs the option and goes untouched for a 72 yard touchdown run to open the half. The extra point is no good. This may be too much of a deficit for the Red Devils to overcome. They have plenty of time but they have not been able to stop the Highland option attack.
12:00 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 33, Springville Red Devils 14
Highland running back Sione Houma had 13 carries for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the 1st half. Quarterback Anthony Smithson has 106 yards rushing and one touchdown. The Rams will get the ball first in the 2nd half.
12:00 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 33, Springville Red Devils 14
If you have any questions about the game you can email me jjensen@ksl.com or follow @JJSportsBeat and @kslsports and you can send your questions on Twitter.
12:00 Third Quarter
Highland Rams 33, Springville Red Devils 14
Some interesting first half stats: Highland has 315 yards rushing in the 1st half while Springville has just 16. In total offense, Highland has 412 while Springville has just 166. If you take away the 68 yard touchdown reception by Jaylon Miyasaki the Red Devils would have less than 100 yards of offense in the half. There have been five plays in this game longer than 60 yards. No turnovers in the 1st half. This has been a great football game to watch.
:00 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 33, Springville Red Devils 14
Highland with another big play. Anthony Smithson doing his best impression of his older brother Shaky. He somehow avoided the sack and ran 30 yards for a touchdown. The Rams have not punted in the 1st half. They are doing whatever they want offensively and take a big lead into the locker room.
:49 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 26, Springville Red Devils 14
Nate Fakahafua wins another jump ball hauling in a pass for a 39-yard gain. Highland is driving again at the Springville 27 with under a minute to play.
1:51 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 26, Springville Red Devils 14
After driving to the 17-yard line Springville is backed up all the way to the 40 after two penalties. After two pass plays make it 3rd and 6 Highland sacks Steve Bate but is called for a face mask. With another chance on 3rd and 11 Bate's pass is incomplete and the Red Devils miss the field goal. Missed opportunity in the red zone could come back to haunt them.
6:03 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 26, Springville Red Devils 14
The big plays continue. Highland running back Sione Houma with his 2nd touchdown run of the game. This one goes for 68 yards. He now has 11 carries for 178 yards and two scores. Highland has 275 yards rushing with plenty of time left in the 2nd quarter. The extra point was blocked.
7:16 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 20, Springville Red Devils 14
Highland answers with another spectacular play on the ensuing kickoff. Zach Gardanier fields the kick at his 12-yard line and weaves his way 88 yards into the end zone. The Red Devils close the gap with plenty of time left in the quarter for more scoring.
7:32 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 20, Springville Red Devils 7
Hayes Hicken makes a 45-yard Field Goal giving the Rams a 13 point lead.
9:00 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 17, Springville Red Devils 7
An offensive pass interference call against Highland pushes the rams back to the 39-yard line. They now face a 2nd down and 25.
9:41 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 17, Springville Red Devils 7
Facing 4th and 2 from the Highland 33-yard line, the Red Devils chose to go for it. They pitch to Marcus Case on a sweep right and the speed of the Highland defense shuts it down. Highland QB Anthony Smithson just completed a 29 yard pass to Nate Fakahafua. Rams are driving at the Red Devils 42-yard line.
12:00 Second Quarter
Highland Rams 17, Springville Red Devils 7
This has been a very exciting game so far. Both teams have combined for 311 yards of total offense in the 1st quarter. Fans are getting their money's worth. Big plays highlight the first quarter from Miyasaki's one-handed touchdown grab to big runs by Highland's Sione Houma and Anthony Smithson. This is going to be a shootout.
1:23 First Quarter
Highland Rams 17, Springville Red Devils 7
Highland quarterback Anthony Smithson just ran the option to perfection. The great play fake results in a 77 yard run down to the Springville three yard line. Toi Taufa caps off the drive with a 1 yard dive for the score. Highland is killing the Springville defense right now with the run.
4:45 First Quarter
Highland Rams 10, Springville Red Devils 7
Highland answers quickly. On the 2nd play of the drive Sione Houma breaks free for a 63 yard touchdown run to give the Rams the lead. Houma already has 95 yards on 6 carries with plenty of time left in the 1st quarter.
5:18 First Quarter
Springville Red Devils 7, Highland Rams 3
Wow! Springville just scored on a 68-yard touchdown pass. Steve Bate connected with Jaylon Miyasaki for the score. Miyasaki hauled in the pass with one hand and ran untouched down the sideline. That was a big time catch.
6:27 First Quarter
Highland Rams 3, Springville Red Devils 0
Anthony Smithson completed an 18 yard pass to Hayes Hicken to get the Rams in the red zone. They could not get a first down and had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Hicken giving the Rams an early lead. They were able to take advantage of great field position after the Red Devils couldn't convert on 4th down at midfield.
10:12 First Quarter
Highland Rams 0, Springville Red Devils 0
After a great return to the 45-yard line, Springville turned the ball over on downs when they could not convert on 4th and 1 near midfield. A big gamble to take this early in the game.
