Prep football: Rams beat Tigers in a romp -- eventually

It took a little while for the Highland Rams to get rolling Friday night, but once they did, there was nothing Orem could do about it.

Highland scored on its first three possessions of the second half -- while forcing Orem to two straight three-and-outs -- on its way to a 34-0 win in the opening night of the Class 4A football playoffs.

Things didn't start out as planned for Highland. Quarterback Mason Keller fumbled twice and threw an interception in the first half, but the Ram defense never relented. Toi Taufa opened the scoring in the first quarter with a one-yard plunge. On Highland's next possession, Keller lost his second fumble but Highland held Orem to a 32-yard field goal attempt that went wide left. Highland took over and two plays later Orem's Brayden Hill intercepted Keller's pass and returned it 24 yards to the Highland 26 yard line. Highland's defense stuffed Orem on three straight plays and a 37-yard field goal was no good, again sailing wide left.

"We haven't really had a problem with turnovers all year," Highland coach Brody Benson said. "So it's nice to see the defense stand up."

After Orem started the second half three-and-out, Chris Lloyd took an option pitch on third down, shook off a tackler at the first down marker and raced down the sideline to put the game firmly in Highland's hands. The next Ram possession ended in Taufa's second score and the next in a Colby Earl touchdown run with 5:00 left to play. The Rams

out-gained the Tigers 462 yards to 104, led by Keller's 201 total yards and Taufa's 78 yards rushing. Sione Fainu added 89 yards rushing on three carries, including an electrifying 68-yard touchdown. Highland advances to play Mountain Crest in the quarterfinals, which beat them 48-27 in week one of the season. As a result of a coin flip, the game will again be played at Highland next Friday.