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LOGAN — Facing Bonneville High (Idaho) on a "neutral site" Thursday night, Logan made it clear whose turf it really was.
In the second game of the Rocky Mountain Kickoff hosted at Maverik Stadium — Utah State's football stadium just up the road from Logan High — the Grizzlies' defense completely ravaged a rush-heavy Bonneville offense and sent the Bees back to Idaho Falls empty-handed in their season opener in a 14-0 win.
Logan (2-1) held Bonneville (0-1) to 178 rushing yards on 39 carries and forced two turnovers. The Bees reached the red zone just once — in the first possession of the game. Dynamic junior quarterback Tim Willams hardly passed the ball and went 3-of-8 passing for 21 yards. He was generally mauled by Grizzlies defenders before getting the chance to show his agility in the open field.
And a whiteout Logan student section gleefully enjoyed it.
"I can't be prouder of them," Logan coach Bart Bowen said of his defense. "We didn't have game film. We had very little information to go on. So we came in, we knew we were going to struggle in the first series. And, you know, our defensive staff does an excellent job at making adjustments; we made the adjustments — I don't think they did much later."
Logan's offense, which put up a somewhat deceiving points total — two field goals, a touchdown and a 2-point conversion — wasn't particularly stellar. In large part, it was credit to a stingy Bees defense that continually stepped up in the red zone and forced three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
But the Grizzlies made enough plays to get the job done.
Sophomore running back Tytan Mason had 14 carries for 69 yards and the game's lone touchdown, a 12-yard run in the second quarter. Senior Ethan Bracken had 18 carries for 68 yards, while junior quarterback Keaton Pond went 12-of-21 passing for 139 yards and three interceptions.
"We're just more physical — better stamina — we just came out and had a great team win," Mason said. "The offensive line was blocking great, run game was just working. So we kept to it and it's worked out."
Williams, who along with his quarterback duties as a kick returner, appeared to give Bonneville an early lead with a 55-yard punt return in the first quarter, only for it to be called back for holding.
Instead, it was Mason who broke the silence with a misdirection run play to reach the end zone with 11:06 left in the first half. It would prove to be the game-winning score, because unless Bonneville was handing the ball off to senior running back Spencer Sewell, they didn't move. Sewell was nearly unstoppable as he rushed for 113 yards on only 10 carries. Six other Bees got rushing attempts, combing for 65 yards on 29 carries.
"You play fundamental football and you run to the ball," Bowen said. "You know, the first guy oftentimes doesn't make the play. We want to live and do the run into the ball. So, we make adjustments, play fundamental football and just we practice physical hustle discipline."
South Sevier defeats Preston
In Game 1 of the doubleheader at Maverik Stadium, 2A South Sevier defeated 4A Preston (Idaho) 31-21.
Quarterback Carter Abraham had a 68-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, then a game-sealing 8-yard scramble with 1:50 remaining in the game to give the Rams a double-digit lead and seal the game.
Senior running back Grayson Friant, who was named MVP of the game, rushed for two touchdowns, including a 45-run scamper in the first quarter.
