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RANDOLPH, Rich County — One would have to look back to Nov. 14, 2009, to find the last time Rich posted a victory over the Duchesne Eagles, and that was a 25-0 decision in the Class 1A championship game.
Since then Duchesne has captured four consecutive state titles, and own an eight-game winning streak, including two overtime wins and two one-point wins, over the Rebels.
Friday afternoon the Rebels put an end to the drought and ensured themselves with at least a share of the 1A North Division title with a 33-6 victory over Duchesne.
“We dominated the game throughout," Rich coach Ashley Brown said.
On the second offensive play of the game quarterback Koy Brown put the ball up for grabs along the sideline and receiver Wyatt Muirbrook went up and got it over a leaping defender and raced for a 70-yard score.
Duchesne’s next possession ended on the second play of the drive when Joseph Leifson intercepted a pass on the 34-yard line. Six plays later, Rich's Cache Sabey stepped in the end zone untouched with a 6-yard run.
The Rebels led 13-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter of play neither team could put together a consistent offensive drive until late.
With less than two minutes to go in the first half the Rebels faced a fourth-and-5 and Brown scrambled away from the defensive pass rush and found receiver Jayden Wallentine who used his height advantage to come down with the 36-yard touchdown pass to five the Rebels a 19-0 lead at the half.
Brown was 3-of-5 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, while the running game managed just 50 yards.
The Eagles picked up 79 yards rushing with the bulk of the yardage coming from Dylan Despain on eight carries in the hald, while Duchesne’s quarterback Wyatt Remund was 2-of-5 passing for 11 yards and a interception.
The home team kept the ball on the ground in the second half, but it was passing plays at key times that put points on the scoreboard.
Facing a third-and-14 Brown connected with Joseph Leifson for 20 yards and the first down. The next completion was 24 yards to Muirbrook to the Duchesne 1. Sabey finished things off with a short run to bump the lead to 26-0 midway through the third quarter.
In the three losses this season Rich has lost the turnover battle and in the three wins it was on the positive side of the turnover ratio. Starting the fourth quarter Rich was plus-one in turnovers.
However, Brown threw a pass on the run that was intercepted by Wyatt Remund. The Rebels returned the favor when defensive back Ryker Rex intercepted Remund on the ensuing possession.
The Eagles’ second interception of the quarter proved the difference to help them get on the scoreboard. A quick screen pass was intercepted by Duchesne's Carsen Reinhardt on the Rich 17-yard line. Remund made a 16-yard run two plays later to put the Eagles on the board and avoid the shutout.
The Rebels added a touchdown late in the game after pinning the Eagles on their own 1-yard line with a punt. Several plays later Leifson caused a fumble with a strong tackle on an Eagle running back and Wallentine was able to scoop the ball up and take it 18 yards for the final score.
Rich High lineman Ryley Smith, who made a bunch of key plays on both sides of the ball, was one of 11 Seniors recognized before their final home game of the regular season.
“It was awesome and I had a lot of fun. It was something we were looking forward to all week to play them (Duchesne) one of the best teams," Smith said. "I got a lot of good hits, good blocks and we were able to come out victorious. It’s my senior year and I’m freakin’ excited right now.”
Brown finished 5-of-10 passing for 153 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Rebels, while Sabey led the running game with 68 yards on 17 carries.
Remund was 3-of-7 for 12 yards with 2 interceptions for the Eagles, while Despain tallied 81 yards on 15 carries.
The Rebels (4-3) travel to Altamont (0-7), while Duchesne (4-3) heads to Monticello (3-5).
