Despite a lower yard production on the ground, running back Jayden Atkinson ran for a 30-yard touchdown during last Friday’s playoff game.
A turnover-riddled game, mixed with only 169 total yards on the evening, resulted in the Grantsville Cowboys’ football team being eliminated from the 3A state championship semifinal match against the Richfield Wildcats last Friday.
Wide receiver Jaxxon Jensen recorded Grantsville’s only touchdown reception during the team’s 59-14 loss to Richfield in the semifinals of the 3A Football State Championships.
Over the course of the game the Cowboys turned the ball over to Richfield five times, but it was an early deficit that ultimately set the tone for a lopsided 59-16 loss. After giving up a quick 16 points in the first quarter (Grantsville’s defense only allowed 17.8 points per game all season long), the Cowboys found themselves in trouble early and Richfield only made things worse as the game progressed.
Trailing 16-0 after the first quarter, Grantsville allowed yet another Wildcats touchdown to fall behind 24-0. With their offense struggling to gain any traction, in the air or on the ground, the Cowboys remained scoreless and found themselves shutout through two quarters.
In the third quarter, Richfield kept their momentum up and scored two rushing touchdowns and a 30-yard pick-six touchdown to balloon their lead to 45-0. With the large advantage, the running clock “mercy rule” went into effect and Grantsville’s season ticked away quicker with each passing second.
Cowboys quarterback Dallan Van vliet, receiver Jaxxon Jensen and running back Jayden Atkinson helped get the team on the board in the fourth quarter, with two touchdowns to cut into the Richfield lead. Atkinson ran for a a 30-yard touchdown cut the lead to 45-8, while Van vliet later found Jensen open for a 20-yard passing touchdown to bring the score to 45-14.
The margin didn’t hold, however, as the Wildcats responded with two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the game. After time wound down on the game, Richfield walked away with the 59-14 victory and put an end to Grantsville’s playoff contention.
During the season, the Cowboys finished the year with a 9-3 record, including a 4-1 record in the 3A-North region.
In head coach David Millward’s first season at the helm, the Cowboys went 9-3 on the season and their defense only allowed an average 17.8 points per game.
In the loss to Richfield, the Cowboys’ defense uncharacteristically struggled, giving up a touchdown to the Wildcats each quarter, including a three-touchdown performance in the third.
Junior receiver Jordan Fawson recorded 25 receiving yards in the loss to the Wildcats.
Starting quarterback Dallan Van vliet produced much of Grantsville’s offense, throwing for 159 yards and completing a single passing touchdown.
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