Font ResizeEphraim » If there's one team with any hope of stopping Rich on its run to the Class 1A football title, it's Duchesne.
The Eagles have an impressive defense, a hulking offensive line and a collection of playmakers that were all on display in Saturday's 22-12 semifinal win over Monticello.
Duchesne limited the Bucks to 102 yards of total offense before a sparse crowd at Snow College. The Eagles put the game away by getting off to a 15-0 start, and they were never seriously challenged after that, despite heading into the fourth quarter with a 22-12 advantage.
"We knew that the key to winning this game would be getting off to a good start," Eagles coach Billy Hoopes said. "We were fortunate to get some big plays and we were able to take that and parlay it into a win."
With the victory, the Eagles advance to next week's title game where they will face off against Rich, 35-7 winners over Altamont in the later semifinal. When the two teams meet next Saturday at Alta High, Duchesne will attempt to pull off the huge upset against the only unbeaten team in Class 1A. The two teams met earlier in the season, with Rich prevailing 38-8.
"There's a reason they are undefeated," Hoopes said. "They are a great team, and they deserve to be the favorites. We're going to have to play a great game in order to beat them."
While that's a week away, Shad Thomas was the biggest reason for the
Defensively, Thomas was huge, picking off two passes and making tackles all over the field as Monticello struggled to move the ball for most of the game. Both Buckaroo touchdowns were scored by junior quarterback Devin Wright, who scored once on a short run and once on an interception that he returned 30 yards for the touchdown.
Rich 35, Altamont 7 » The unbeaten Rebels dominated behind four touchdown runs from Bradley Holmes, who scored three times from 32 yards out and once from eight yards out.
Duchesn'e defense holds Monticello to 102 yards of total offense to take a 22-12 win in their Class 1A semifinal game Saturday.
