3AA South: Thunder earn title tie, playoff bye with win over Cedar

ST. GEORGE — Desert Hills started the game off with an offensive bang and finished with tough defense for a 33-21 victory over Cedar Friday night at Thunder Stadium.

dhthundercedar-smD-Hills celebrated senior night with the win over the Redmen and got a big lift from senior quarterback Nick Warmsley and sophomore running back Brock Parry.

“It’s been a long road since sophomore year; I can’t believe it’s gone by this fast,” Warmsley said. “I’m happy we won because it means we have a first-round bye and another home game. We fought through though — Cedar’s a great team.”

Desert Hills' Ryan Hoppie (11) hauls in an interception, Cedar vs. Desert Hills, Football, St. George, Utah, Oct. 23, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Desert Hills’ Ryan Hoppie (11) hauls in an interception, Cedar vs. Desert Hills, Football, St. George, Utah, Oct. 23, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

DH head coach Carl Franke said the bye week comes at a great time, so the team can get some rest as the team is “banged up.” Key injuries have plagued the Thunder, but the team keeps finding a way to win. Senior Zak Fuchs suffered a broken leg against Cedar and will be out for the remainder of the year.

“It’s sad to see him off the field,” Franke said. “You feel awful for him, but Zak will bounce back. He fights and is a tough kid. Injuries are something that can always happen.”

It didn’t take long for the Thunder to score as young running back Parry found a hole and sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. A high snap forced a failed point after.

“I was just happy to come up to varsity and play with the ‘big boys’ for once,” Parry said. “It was a real thrill. It was a lot of fun. That (touchdown run) was exhilarating. When I broke through the line, a big smile came across my face and I just saw the outside and went for it. I knew I just had to give it my all and go for it.”

Cedar would match the touchdown while capitalizing on two pass interference calls. Brock Oldroyd scored the 1-yard touchdown run.

“We executed well, and I was hoping we could score a few more points, but I give Desert Hills credit,” Cedar head coach Josh Bennett said. “They have a tough defense and they played well tonight.”

Desert Hills' Marco Jordan (25), Cedar vs. Desert Hills, Football, St. George, Utah, Oct. 23, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Desert Hills’ Marco Jordan (25), Cedar vs. Desert Hills, Football, St. George, Utah, Oct. 23, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

The Thunder offense exploded for 20 points in the second quarter as Garrick Sharp caught a pass for a touchdowns, as did Logan Hokanson, from Warmsley and Marco Jordan, who finished with 67 rushing yards, also found the end zone. Warmsley ended the game with 203 passing yards and the two touchdowns to Sharp. The Redmen would also score a touchdown as Drake Lewis scored from 2-yards out.

The 26-14 halftime score remained until early in the fourth.  The third quarter was a defensive showdown until DH got down to the Cedar 4-yard line when the quarter ended. Parry would then score his second touchdown of the night. Parry would finish the night with 121 rushing yards.

“It means a lot to get in there and help (the seniors) out and win the game,” Parry said. “I love them. They’re the greatest.”

Cedar got one back late, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s lead. Cedar’s Mason Fakahua finished with 124 rushing yards, 147 passing yards and a touchdown pass. Oldroyd finished with 65 receiving yards and 55 rushing yards and the touchdown.

The 3AA playoffs begin next week, though the Thunder will watch with their bye. Cedar will host the fifth-place team from the 3AA North, one of three possibilities (pending a coin toss tiebreaker) next week to open up their playoff run. Judge, Bear River and Park City tied for fourth in the 3AA North and will break the tie with a coin toss Saturday.

“We’re playing well at home,” Bennett said. “Right now it’s a 0-0 season. We’ll tell these kids they’ve got to have a short memory and be ready to go.”

Stats: DHHS 33, CHS 21

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Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

 

 

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