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SARATOGA SPRINGS — American Fork's defense set the tone early and never let up, shutting out Westlake to spoil its homecoming, 42-0.
American Fork's first drive ended with a missed field goal, but the Cavemen scored two plays later as Jade Luker intercepted a Gavin Williams pass and returned it for a touchdown. It was the first score and at the end of the night all the Cavemen needed as they held the Thunder scoreless.
The Cavemen improved to 4-1, 2-0 in region play, in a dominant performance that shows why they have such high hopes and have received votes in the KSL coaches poll.
“We felt like in the first half we could have played a lot better,” American Fork head coach Aaron Behm said. “We left some points on the board, missed some field goals and had some drives stall out. But yeah, we feel like we are that good.”
After American Fork's defensive touchdown Westlake struggled to get any offense going. The Thunder punted on its next five possessions and wasn't able to get a first down until the closing minute of the first half.
The Cavemen got the offense started by going 64 yards in 1:20 to finish out the first quarter. They capped off their first offensive scoring drive with an 11-yard pass from Jacen Condie to Hayden Johnson.
Condie ended the game with 283 yards passing and three touchdowns. He added a touchdown on the ground in the second quarter on a quarterback sneak from a yard out. Condie's sneak finished the second scoring drive.
That drive featured a heavy dose of Zach Katoa. The Cavemen started the drive on their own 14 yard line and the junior running back took the first carry of the drive 27 yards. Katoa ended the night with 145 yards rushing and five catches for 92 yards.
American Fork went 55 yards in just over two minutes in its last scoring drive of the first half. Condie hit Katoa for the first of Katoa's three touchdowns, one rushing two receiving.
American Fork went into halftime leading 28-0. Behm didn't think it was a perfect half, he said the second half started the right way.
“Second half, after halftime, those two quick drives I feel like that's who we are,” Behm said.
Katoa scored his other two touchdowns in the third quarter. The first came on a 22-yard touchdown reception from Condie and the second capped off a 20-yard run.
Condie's favorite target was Johnson, who ended the night with nine catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. Whenever Condie needed to find a receiver he looked to Johnson.
“Jacen and Hayden have been playing together since they were, I think, second-graders,” Behm said. “Some of that's just comfort, I think, with the quarterback. Hayden's got some real sure hands.”
The second half played much like the first half for Westlake's offense. The half started with a lot of stalled drives. By the time the Thunder offense started getting rhythm, it was too late.
While American Fork moves to the top of Region 4 with its second region win, Westlake falls to 0-2 in the region, 3-2 overall.
Next week American Fork will travel to Lone Peak to renew their cross-town rivalry. Westlake will be on the road to face Herriman in a game that could be an early must-win for both teams as they look to stay in the hunt for a postseason berth in the state playoffs.
