Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PARK CITY — Behind the strength of their run game and timely defense, the Park City Miners handled the Timpanogos Timberwolves 35-14 in one of the opening games of the 5A high school playoffs.
Both teams came out of the gate a little sluggish and each failed to score on its opening drive. Park City attempted to score first on a long punt return touchdown by senior Miles Preston, but it was called back due to a holding and block in the back call. The Miners eventually turned it over on downs after going for it on fourth down in Timberwolves territory.
After a three-and-out series by the Timpanogos offense, they set to punt again. Preston broke free again for a long punt return but was tackled inside the 10-yard line. That was the spark the Miners' offense needed as they scored on the very next play on a 7-yard sweep run by Matthew Demarco.
The Timberwolves failed to get anything going on their next drive and were forced to punt again. They'd learned their lesson, however, and made sure to punt the ball out of bounds to prevent another long return.
It didn't matter much as the Miners offense clicked behind the strength of the offensive line, and running back Mason Grover broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run — the first of two on the night for the senior — to give the home team a two-score lead in the first quarter.
"Our O-line has gelled this year," Park City head coach John Moltzingo said. "Really, coming in that was kind of the question mark because we lost so many of our guys. So proud of our O-line, they've done such a great job. Coach (John) McCurdy has really coached the heck out of them, and Mason ran his behind off. He just absolutely put his shoulder pads down and went to work tonight; it was fun to watch."
The Miners did a majority of their damage on the ground through Grover and others. Of the home team's five touchdowns, three came on the ground. It was something Park City prides itself on all year; and in an opening round of the playoffs, the Miners made their presence known.
"You know, the run game, me, Blake (Tabaracci) and all our running backs are nothing without them (the offensive line)," Grover said. "We could make some cuts, we could try to be able to break some tackles, but it starts with the line. You can't get through the line, you're not going for anything."
As the teams went into halftime, with Park City holding a commanding 28-0 lead, it seemed like a runaway victory for the Miners was in the works. But Timpanogos came out of the break determined to get back in the game and forced a quick three-and-out series from the Park City offense.
It took some time and an exchange of turnovers — the Timberwolves threw an interception but then recovered a Miners fumble a play later — but Timpanogos finally got on the board on a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chase Riggs to receiver Easton Bretzing.
After another solid defensive stop by the Timberwolves, their offense worked its way down the field again and scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Luke Livingston, which cut the deficit in half to 28-14 as the teams entered the fourth quarter.
But Park City's defense locked down. With roughly 8:30 to go in the game, Timpanogos took over at their own 26-yard line. Riggs dropped back and threw a quick pass directly into the hands of linebacker Tabaracci that he returned 27 yards to the house. The score remained the same the rest of the way.
"Second half we always seem to kind of make it a little harder on ourselves, but you know, credit to them," Moltzingo said. "That's a good staff over there; they have great athletes. ... It was a fun game. I'm really proud of our guys and all the energy and effort they put forward tonight."
The Miners didn't play their cleanest game of the season, and they'll have their work cut out for them as they advance to the next round and will take on undefeated Lehi in a week. No. 16 Park City will get the first crack at knocking off the No. 1 ranked Lehi Pioneers as the teams compete for the 5A title.
"We're excited to go up and go against the best and measure us to see what we've got," Moltzingo said about next week's matchup. "I trust our guys, I love our guys. We're gonna go to work and they're gonna get everything we've got."
