The Bulldogs rushed for 429 yards in the first game of the day today and forced Union into six turnovers as they defeated the Cougars 49-20 in a Class 3-A semifinal.

This victory was one to be savored by the team as Judge lost to Union 40-35 earlier in the season.

"I don't think there are words to explain how our offense preformed today," Judge Memorial running back Lewis Walker said. "Union is a great football team but we had something more to play for as they beat us before."

The Bulldogs looked like they had payback on their mind as they took the field at Rice-Eccles Stadium on their way to victory.

Walker said the team didn't feel nervous before the game and that was due to the familiarity of the field.

"We told our team we play on turf, we play in a stadium, this one just has more seats," Walker said. "Our fans preformed like they do at our home stadium."

Walker was a key figure in the game as he rushed 13 times for 127 yards and three touchdowns even with being mirrored by the Union defense.

The Cougars' defensive strategy opened up rushing lanes for the Bulldogs' other running back, Bruce Garlinghouse, as he scored the first three touchdowns for the team and also accounted for 126 yards on eight carries.

"Coach [James Cordova] told me I need to have a break-out game and I took that to heart," Garlinghouse said.

While Walker did have more yards in the stat book, he praised his backfield partner after the game.

"Bruce Garlinghouse: his name is what-an-athlete," Walker said. "The offensive line gave him the holes on the outside and he has a nose for the end zone."

Defensively the team came to play as the Bulldogs held Union quarterback Rhen Richard to 14 yards rushing and hassled him into three interceptions, after he combined for five total touchdowns in the first game.

The quarterback's errant passes proved to be costly as his first interception was returned 59-yards by Jordan Bensen to put the Bulldogs up 35-6. His next interception was picked off in the end zone.

Walker said the team contained Richard by not blitzing as much and playing more man to man coverage.

Also helping the team's cause, the Union quarterback injured his back on the first play of the game, hindering his mobility. But even with the injury he still turned in a valiant performance through the air, throwing for 424 yards and two touchdowns.

"I told him he played courageous today," Cordova said. "He had a great effort and it was nothing he should ever be ashamed of."

This is probably the end of Richard's football career as he will pursue a career in professional rodeo.

Union finishes the year with a 9-4 record, while Judge advances to take on Logan in the championship game which is also a rematch from a game earlier in the year which the Bulldogs won 35-7.