SALT LAKE CITY — Orem High School’s offensive juggernaut proved too much for Dixie to stop, as the Tigers overpowered the Flyers 60-13 in the 4A state championship game Saturday.
Playing at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium for the second straight week, Orem dismantled Dixie in much the same way the Tigers had Pine View in the previous week’s 62-20 win over the Panthers.
Orem’s high-octane offense scored a remarkable 248 points during its four-game playoff run, an average of 62 points per game, as the Tigers cruised to their second straight 4A state football title.
The Tigers pounced to an early 7-0 lead, thanks to a 14-yard TD run on third down by Orem quarterback Cooper Legas. Dixie went three and out on its first possession, punting the ball back to Orem.
The Tigers’ next drive was fraught with penalties, including two back-to-back calls against running back Noah Sewell for hurdling over a defender, a move not allowed in Utah high school football.
But even when faced with first down and 41 yards to go, Orem still managed to get a first down on the next play anyway, as Legas connected with receiver Puka Nacua for a 45-yard gain that put the Tigers inside Dixie’s 20-yard line.
A few plays later, Legas found Nacua again, this time in the end zone for a 12-yard TD reception as time expired to end the first quarter. The extra-point kick attempt bounced off the right goalpost, leaving Orem with a 13-0 lead
Dixie managed to advance the ball about 25 yards on its next drive, but were forced to punt from midfield. The Tigers marched quickly downfield, ending the drive with an 11-yard TD pass from Legas to Brinton Paulson that made it 20-0.
After another Dixie punt, the Flyers managed to stop Orem’s next drive, thanks to an interception by Tyson Miller. Dixie took over with 1:34 left in the second half, but ended up punting just before time expired.
After being down 20-0 at the half, the Flyers got the ball to start the second half, and immediately showed promising signs by quickly moving the ball into the end zone on a four-play, 72-yard drive in the opening minute. The culminating play was a 37-yard TD to wide receiver Joshua Cazier. Dixie missed the ensuing PAT attempt on a bobbled snap, leaving the score 20-6.
Orem then got right back to business, capping off an 81-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run by Trevor Rockey that made it 26-6. On Dixie’s very next play from scrimmage, Orem’s Buju Tuisavura intercepted the ball and ran it back 37 yards into the end zone for a pick-six TD and a 33-6 lead.
Tuisavura also scored another TD on a 49-yard run late in the third quarter.
During the fourth quarter, Dixie scored its second touchdown on an 18-yard run up the middle by Graff. However, Orem ended up tacking on three more TDs during the final period, including one off a blocked punt that went into the end zone, to finish with a 60-13 victory.
“I’m proud of our kids. They’re a good team. They just ran into a good team today,” said Dixie head coach Blaine Monkres. “I thought we battled for four quarters, but every time we thought we were gonna maybe get something going and … get a little wind in our sails, they managed to make a big play to take it out.”
Monkres noted that preseason predictions had the Flyers finishing fourth in the region and possibly qualifying for the playoffs.
“And here we are, playing on the last day, and that’s a credit to their character, their ability and all their hearts.”
Orem finished Saturday’s title game with 573 total yards – 333 passing and 240 rushing – while holding Dixie to 217 total yards. The Tigers also had 22 first downs to Dixie’s 10.
Additionally, Orem went 5 for 7 on third down conversions and never punted, while Dixie was 0 for 7 on third down and punted the ball seven times.
A bright spot for Dixie on defense was the play of Ethan Emerson, who had a game-high 15 tackles, six of them solo. Offensively, Dixie’s Nate Mahi racked up 204 all-purpose yards, 141 of which were on kickoff returns.
Dixie finished its season with an overall record of 11-2, which included 11 wins in a row, bookended by the two losses. The Flyers, who last won the state title in 2014, are now 8-4 in championship games.
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Dixie players take the field for the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Dixie quarterback Reggie Graff throws a pass during the 4A state championship football game, Dixie versus Orem, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Dixie quarterback Reggie Graff throws a pass during the 4A state championship football game, Dixie versus Orem, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Orem receiver Jaxon Williams is stopped just short of the goal line by Dixie's Harrison Beazer, during first half action in the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Players congratulate each other on the field after the 4A state championship football game, Dixie versus Orem, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Dixie quarterback Reggie Graff leads his team in a prayer following the Flyers' 60-13 loss to Orem in the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Dixie coach Blaine Monkres (center) talks to his players following their 60-13 loss to Orem in the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Closeup of a Dixie player's helmet following the 4A state championship football game, Dixie versus Orem, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Dixie players and coaches after the 4A state championship football game, Dixie versus Orem, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Orem receiver Jaxon Williams is stopped just short of the goal line by Dixie's Harrison Beazer, during first half action in the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Orem receiver Jaxon Williams is stopped just short of the goal line by Dixie's Harrison Beazer, during first half action in the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
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