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SALT LAKE CITY - East advanced to the championship game behind their prolific running attack.
Jason Cook led the way with 17 carries for 139 yards while Liti Molisi complimented Cook's effort with 113 hard earned yards of is own. Preston Curtis also came up big with 81 yards on only 10 carries.
The big play of the game came in the middle of the fourth quarter. East was facing a 3rd and 10 when Cook hooked up with John Fakakafua on a 28 yards pass to the two yard line. Molisi pounded the ball into the endzone to push the score to 24-10 and put the game out of reach.
East's offense did struggle at times, with 11 penalties and four fumbles (two lost) but the Leopards were stil able to churn out 371 total yards.
Defensively East was able to shut down the Thunderbirds after they took an early 10-0 lead. Patrick Palau and Cook each recorded interceptions.
East will take on Logan for the 4A state title at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18.
