Estimated read time: 2-3 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
CEDAR CITY — The Rebels of Rich High became Utah's eight-player football champions in a 35-20 showing Saturday.
The championship win caps off an 8-4 overall season.
The Monticello Buckaroos started off the game with a lengthy drive, taking over seven minutes to come up scoreless and a turnover on downs.
But in speedy fashion, Rich made its way into the end zone in just two plays. After catching a pass from quarterback Carter Hoffman, Jaden Desch ran three quarters of the field for his first touchdown of the morning. Following a successful 2-point conversion, the first quarter came to a close with the Rebels on top 8-0.
Rich took possession again after forcing another turnover on downs and kept up its urgent style of play. Hoffman and Desch connected again for the second score of the game less than two minutes into the period, and a failed 2-point conversion attempt made it 14-0.
After Monticello got its first point of the day on a rushing touchdown, Rich added to its lead again. Hoffman ran in a score himself with about three minutes left in the half. Desch, a three-way player — acting on offense, defense and a kicker — put the extra point through the uprights.
"It's a lot to take in. I work on all of it every day. It's my favorite," Desch said. "I love football."
Hungry for more, the Buckaroos found themselves in the red zone, but a fourth-down sack by Rich sent the teams to the break with a 21-6 score.
Monticello's offense woke up in the second half as Morrison marched into the end zone, again, to cut into Rich's lead. That momentum did't last long, though, as Rich scored twice more in the final quarter of play.
A touchdown from Buckaroos quarterback Jay Mcdonald to Thomas Fuller in the last few minutes rounded out the scoring, but it wasn't enough to keep up with Rich.
"This season was a hell of an experience," Desch said. "I'm so glad we're able to be here. Go Rebels!"
