Font ResizeSt. George » The Class 4A state football quarterfinals kicked off Friday afternoon with Dixie defeating Bonneville 24-14, though the Flyers' advancement to the semifinals was eclipsed by the controversial ejection of senior quarterback Mike Sharp for allegedly throwing a punch.
"I felt like my wrist was being broken, so I shoved the kid off," Sharp said of his altercation with a Bonneville player as he nursed a bloody wrist while sitting on the bench after the ejection.
Officials ejected Sharp for throwing a punch. The rule is clear about any player throwing a punch will be ejected from the game and the next game.
"Four officials told me they didn't get a look at it, but one official said he doubled up his fist and threw a punch" coach Blaine Monkres said. "Whatever the situation is, no one will be harder on Mike than Mike. We'll send in a tape and see if it's overturned. If not, one of the state's best players will not be playing next week."
The Flyers came away with the win, but a cloud of uncertainty crowded the stadium as uncertainty crept in. The Flyers have not had a snap taken by another player in any significant situation all season.
Both teams went scoreless in the first quarter. This proved to be the calm before offensive storm, as Dixie broke loose to score its three touchdowns of the game.
Dallin Reber put the first points on the board with his 3-yard run. Junior
"Barker's field goal proved to be huge down the stretch for us," Monkres said. "We also had some big stops on defense in the first half."
The Lakers showed some life scoring at the end of the third quarter making it 24-7.
Reber took over as quarterback for the Flyers after Sharp's ejection. The Lakers forced a turnover in Reber's first series. This lead to their second touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, bringing them within 10 points.
Dixie advances to 4A semifinals, but the Flyers may have to play without starting quarterback Jason Stout, who was ejected for throwing a punch.
