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SANDY — It was perfect football weather for the Jordan Beetdiggers’ homecoming game against the visiting Springville Devils.
That was about the only thing that was perfect in a game that included seven turnovers, a blocked field goal, a failed punt attempt, and a lot of penalties. The Devil's sophomore free safety Hondo Quezada sealed the game with an interception late in the fourth quarter to claim a 20-16 win.
Quezada said the team was able to fight through the ugliness of the game because of their "composure."
"We just stayed composed and fought through as a team."
The Beetdiggers took a 16-0 lead over the Devils going into halftime, but allowed Springville to score 20 unanswered points to upset the Beetdiggers at home.
The game started with a promising drive from Jordan before Springville intercepted a pass that put the Devils on their own 9-yard line. The first score of the game came three plays later midway through the first quarter when Springville's junior quarterback, Payton Murphy, was sacked in the end zone for a safety, giving Jordan a 2-0 lead.
Jordan scored its first offensive points of the night a few drives later in the second quarter when Jake Shaver had big gains of 25 yards, 23 yards and a touchdown score. Multiple stalled drives later, Jordan found the end zone again with 1:39 remaining in the half to make it 16-0.
Springville, though, finally found the end zone late in the second quarter on a drive that started on their own 44-yard line. Murphy found junior wide receiver Austin Mortensen in the corner of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Devils converted on a two-point conversion to make it a one-score game before the half.
The Beetdiggers struggles began in the second half with a fumble on their own 21-yard line that setup a 21-yard rushing touchdown by Springville’s Isaiah Webb. The Devils would fail to convert on the two-point try, but closed the gap on the Beetdiggers.
Jordan again fumbled the ball late in the third quarter and Springville found the end zone again on a touchdown catch by Clayton Johnson with 1:07 left in the third quarter. Springville, again, failed to convert on a two-point try.
Eventually several costly penalties doomed Jordan in the fourth quarter. Jordan found itself with touchdown score that was overruled due to an offensive pass interference call. After arguing the call, the Beetdiggers were flagged for an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, setting up a fourth and goal from the 32 with 1:38 remaining.
Devils coach Willy Child called a timeout to prep his defense, where he told his team to "stay back," and that’s where Quezada answered. Quezada stayed back as the ball was lobbed to the center of the end zone and he picked it off.
"I looked to my right and saw the receiver running free and I just went and got it." recalled Quezada.
Springville was able to run out the clock and spoil Jordan's homecoming night. Springville (3-2) is a perfect 2-0 on the road as they head into conference play at Maple Mountain next Friday. Jordan (1-3) stays at home to play visiting in-conference Brighton on Friday.
