Field Elder’s QB Ryan Griffin stretches into the top zone to attain earlier than getting tackled by Provo’s Ky Jardine at Provo Excessive Faculty on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Laura Seitz, Deseret Information
Again in Week 2 this season, Field Elder misplaced the turnover battle at Provo and ended up narrowly shedding the sport.
Quick ahead 10 weeks and extremely, the identical two groups from reverse ends of the 5A geography spectrum met once more on Provo’s subject within the 5A second spherical on Friday.
Not surprisingly, it was shut once more, however No. 9 seed Field Elder gained the turnover battle and narrowly gained the sport, edging No. 8 seed Provo 24-21.
“I really feel like we had been a assured crew having gained our final couple video games, and we performed them earlier within the season and misplaced in additional time so we knew moving into it might powerful sport and shut sport,” stated Field Elder’s Cole Mortensen, who had a clutch interception late within the sport to seal the win.
“Provo is a very good crew. They've actually good gamers, so it’s simply good to get a win like this.”
Provo went forward 21-14 early within the fourth quarter on Tagai Lesa’s second speeding landing of the sport, however Field Elder responded with factors on its subsequent two drives to rally and advance to the 5A quarterfinals, the place it is going to face No. 1 seed Lehi.
After Provo’s go-ahead rating, Field Elder marched rapidly, aided by a 51-yard reception by Mortensen, who then capped the drive with a 23-yard subject objective to trim the result in 21-17 with 7:39 remaining.
Field Elder’s protection responded with a fast three and out, after which its offense took benefit of excellent subject place with a seven-play, 57-yard drive to leap forward 24-21.
Quarterback Ryan Griffin scored the go-ahead landing on a 5-yard run, his fourth of the season.
“It was truly a move, however the fitting D-end shot up subject so I simply stepped up within the pocket and went to the left and located some open house,” stated Griffin.
Provo nonetheless had loads of time to attempt to reply with 2:07 left on the clock, however Mortensen jumped a fast out move on third and quick, intercepting the move for his sixth decide of the season.
Provo nonetheless had two timeouts remaining and it did get the ball again with 29 seconds remaining, however time finally ran out on its season as Field Elder secured the street playoff win.
“Our coach acquired the decision in a bit of late so I used to be scrambling to get there, however as soon as I noticed him exit and I seemed again on the quarterback and I simply knew he was going to throw there so I jumped it,” stated Mortensen, who stated he’s trying ahead to the problem subsequent week of season how the Bees measure up with the defending state champs.
Early within the sport on Friday, each crew’s offenses had been clicking, scoring on every of their first two drives.
Field Elder scored on a TD run by Daxton Sumko after which a TD reception by Jackson McKee, whereas Provo scored on landing runs by Jamison Harward and Lesa, with Lesa’s rating tying the sport 14-14 with 4:48 left within the first half.
Regardless of every having a visit into the crimson zone, neither crew scored once more till the fourth quarter.
Field Elder’s solely turnover of the sport was an interception ultimately zone with 9 seconds left within the first half. Provo suffered an much more painful turnover ultimately zone within the third quarter on a fumble on the 1-yard line that spoiled an 11-play, 76-yard drive.
“That was the distinction final time, they gained the turnover battle. We gained the turnover battle this time, and ultimately zone that was big,” stated Field Elder coach Robbie Gunter.
Gunter stated that though Provo had an enormous measurement benefit within the trenches, his crew’s philosophy of 11-on-11 and everybody flying to the ball was vital to pulling out the win.