AMERICAN FORK — For as long as they can remember, the Davis Darts have lived in the "north versus south" mentality.
Struggling to beat teams south of Davis County, the Darts had something to prove as they continue to make a name for themselves at the 6A level. On Friday in American Fork, the Darts dominated in the north versus south battle, defeating the Cavemen 29-15 to improve to 5-1 ahead of Region 1 play next week.
Tradon Bessinger continued his stellar season by throwing four touchdown passes, topping 30 touchdown passes on the season to just one interception, and went 35-of-46 passing for a career-high 435 yards in the win over American Fork.
Bessinger connected with his two-way counterpart Bode Sparrow twice in the end zone as part of Sparrow's eight-catch, 101-yard night. Jaxton Itaaehau led the Darts in receiving with nine catches for 143 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Davis jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its opening drive after Bessinger and Sparrow connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone.
American Fork responded two drives later when quarterback Kapano Manuela connected with Dyson Richards on third-and-long for 30 yards to set up a Richards receiving touchdown two plays later.
But from there, it was the Darts spearheading the way.
Bessinger and Sparrow connected again, with Sparrow high-pointing a pass to bring it down for a 20-yard touchdown. A trick-play outside zone reverse pass set up a 40-yard toss to Isaac Morrison that set up a 23-yard touchdown pass to Itaaehau.
"We've been running that for the past few games, but we only needed to run it once today," Bessinger said of the trick play. "We've scored on it multiple times and we felt confident. I knew my guy was down there."
After Bessinger threw his fourth touchdown pass of the day, this time to Tyson Baggett, American Fork connected on a 41-yard touchdown pass that trimmed the lead to 29-15 in favor of the Darts.
A missed 31-yard field goal attempt by Davis gave the Cavemen some life, but the Darts forced a turnover on downs and kneeled it out to come away with the victory.
Davis will start region play next week by hosting Syracuse, while the Cavemen will turn to face Lone Peak to start region play.
