COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Davis scored just 7 points in the second half of Thursday's high school football opener, but it didn't matter by that point.
The Darts exploded out of the gates to start the season with a 49-7 halftime lead over the Brighton Bengals on the road, including a pick-six score, a punt returned for a touchdown, and five touchdown passes from Boise State quarterback commit Tradon Bessinger to four different receivers.
"Where Tradon goes, we go, and I think you saw his brilliance tonight," head coach Scott Peery said. "I get to see it every day at practice, but I just sit there like, 'He's a good football player.' I'm fortunate to be able to coach him."
Bessinger also had the lone score in the second half for Davis, breaking off a 23-yard scramble for a rushing touchdown. Brighton quarterback Ryce Palepoi put up three touchdown passes of his own against the Darts, including two to senior Mason Lynton.
Davis senior two-way player Tyson Baggett had a touchdown catch for the Darts and added insult to injury for the Bengals with an interception in the fourth quarter to seal the 56-21 win.
"We were just fortunate it was clicking; and it's just a fun night for Davis to have all that click," Peery said. "But again, you know, next week's Week 2, and we've got to play another one."
The 6A Darts have another 5A warm-up game next week at home against Fremont before closing out the month with their first 6A battle against Mountain Ridge. Brighton, a 5A school, stays at home and will welcome another 6A side in Weber next week, before getting a brief respite — or not — against 4A favorite Ridgeline.
