Hyrum » It's not too often a quarterback gets a chance to throw five touchdowns in one game. It's even more impressive when four of those touchdowns come in the first quarter.

Mountain Crest quarterback Alex Kuresa accomplished just that Friday afternoon, throwing for over 300 yards in the first half, as the Mountain Crest Mustangs made a big opening statement Friday afternoon in the Class 4A playoffs, defeating the Salem Hills Skyhawks 55-6.

With 40 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Mountain Crest held a commanding 21-point lead over a struggling Salem Hills team. After forcing the Skyhawks into their a punt for a fourth straight possession, the Mustangs didn't seem content with only a hat trick of touchdowns in the first quarter.

On the opening, and only, play of the next drive, Kuresa noticed the 'Hawks' man defense, snapped the ball, and heaved a perfect spiral down to a waiting Alex Knowles.

"They like to man up a little bit, and when people go into man coverage, we're smiling," said Kuresa. "We feel like we can go man on man with any team, and if people are going to go athlete on athlete with us, were going to beat them."

Knowles danced around three Skyhawk defenders as he crossed the goal line, giving the Mustangs the fourth of their eight touchdowns.

Salem Hills seemed to struggle most of the afternoon against a smothering Mountain Crest defense. The Mustangs

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came away with five Josh Adams interceptions, and did not allow the Skyhawks' offense past the 50-yard line throughout the entire first half, and most of the game. The 'Hawks would only complete one touchdown drive.

Mountain Crest Coach Mark Wooten felt that the team's defensive stand was the key to its high offensive production.

"Our field position was so short all day," said Wooten. "We had a short field so many times, the kids got right into it and made plays."

In short

Mountain Crest's Alex Kuresa throws for four TDs in first half.