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SALT LAKE CITY — It wasn't pretty, but it was enough, and that's all that matters to Olympus (2-0) and head coach Aaron Whitehead.
"I've never been around a score like that," Whitehead said of his team's 5-3 victory over Highland (0-1). "Anytime you can walk off this field, I don't care what the score is, if you can walk off with the win, it's time to go get a root beer or 7-Up."
Both teams got off to shaky starts offensively, especially Olympus, struggling to advance the ball much past half field. Highland briefly managed to get past the 50-yard line before a fumble doomed its drive.
Olympus got the ball back, but after a stagnant drive saw it punting back to Highland, it was the Rams' turn to try again. Highland fullback Lilo Clark broke off a big run, getting his team into Olympus territory for the second time. What looked promising, however, was over with in the blink of an eye, as penalties and a quarterback sack turned the Rams back.
Such was the lot for Highland in the first half, as penalties bedeviled the home team time and again. Every time the Rams got going, the Olympus defense managed to quash any hopes of a score.
"Brandon Burt is awesome," Whitehead said of his defensive coordinator. "He's overly prepared, and he takes pride in what he does, and the kids feed off of him. Our defense was lights out and did a great job."
Towards the end of the first half, the Titans managed to get the first points of the game when an errant snap sailed over the Highland punter's head and into the Highland end zone. Though the Titans weren't able to recover the ball, they managed two points and a safety, allowing them to take a 2-0 lead.
The ensuing drive saw the beginnings of a solid drive from Olympus until senior wide receiver Tyler Smith fumbled after catching a screen pass. Highland managed to move down the field with its triple-option offense, setting up a 39-yard field goal and giving the Rams a 3-2 lead heading into halftime.
Olympus opened up the second half much calmer, as senior quarterback Sawyer Pierce delivered a composed performance after a tough start. Whitehead said the offensive line played the key role in the Titans ability to control the game in the latter stages of the game.
"Our kids up front were really tested. That's probably one of the tougher defensive lines they're going to see. The Highland kids are fundamental and they're strong."
Highland was able to stall the visitors' goal-line attempt in the third quarter, but not before Olympus kicker Tony Foulger knocked one through the uprights to give his team the 5-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Highland yet again managed to get the ball into Olympus territory before being turned back by a combination of penalties and a stiff Titan defense. Kicker Camron Keyvani missed a 46-yard field goal, and Highland's second-half drought continued. Its last decent chance at a score was dead after junior defensive lineman Cameron Latu, a BYU commit, managed to sack Rams quarterback James Pembroke, by many accounts the play of the game.
"It feels awesome," Latu said. "Highland is a huge rival for us. We came out and executed and played our assignment football."
Notes from the game
Olympus senior linebacker Ben Bywater had a good game for the Titans, helping his team even as he was being keyed on by the opposing offense. Bywater, a BYU commit, said he's still a solid BYU commit.
"Coach (Kalani) Sitake's been great to me. I love him and I'm super excited to play for him."
Joining him is his teammate and junior defensive end Cameron Latu, currently the ninth ranked prospect in the class of 2018. Latu, already 6-foot-5 and weighing in around 250 pounds, has the size to be a great collegiate defensive end.
"I love BYU," Latu said. "They make me feel at home. I feel like my recruitment is still open, but it's still probably BYU right now."
Though unavailable for comment, Highland junior defensive tackle/offensive lineman and Utah commit Hunter Lotulelei had a good game for the Rams. Younger brother of former Ute standout Star Lotulelei and current Ute preseason All-American Lowell Lotulelei, he plays much like his older brothers, eating up opposing blockers and creating lanes for his teammates to make plays. While mostly featuring on the offensive line for Highland, he is being recruited by Utah primarily as a defensive tackle. Stephen Lindsey is a student at the University of Utah currently working as an intern with KSL.com in Salt Lake City. Contact him at th3sl3@gmail.com or interact via his Twitter handle, @th3sl3