This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After watching star Jordan quarterback Austin Kafentzis throw for three touchdowns and run for three others Friday night, it's easy to imagine him thrilling 80,000 fans on a Saturday afternoon at Wisconsin's famed Camp Randall Stadium.
For now, though, one of the greatest prep quarterbacks in Utah history will have to settle for disappointing red-clad East High fans instead of getting cheers from Badger fans wearing the same color.
Jordan's 42-26 victory over an East squad that didn't lose a regular season game a year ago wasn't an easy one.
The Beetdiggers trailed 20-7 late in the first quarter and appeared to be struggling.
But Kafentzis would have none of it.
Before the night was over, the Jordan star ran for touchdowns of 15, 10 and 18 yards.
He would hit Spencer Curtis on a scoring strike of 25 yards before giving the Beetdiggers the lead for good with a 64-yard scoring toss to AJ Townsend. He later found Nate Mower on a 37-yard pass.
"We had some pre-game jitters, especially with East and how good they have been," Kafentzis said about his team's slow start. "We just have to slowly start building things. In the second half, we got all the nerves out and started rolling. Give credit to the defense. They kept getting us the ball. We feel like the offense is pretty competent."
Jordan coach Eric Kjar said he has run out of things to say about his fine quarterback. He said that his team doesn't panic when it gets down early because Jordan knows it can count on Kafentzis to bring it back.
"He's a great leader," said Kjar. "He is a heck of a player and tough as nails. He leads our team. He's just a beast. He is put together really well and is a big strong kid."
East appears a bit smaller than a year ago, when it finished second in Class 4A to Timpview. After Lorenzo Manu's 3-yard run, a 49-yard scamper by John Mafi and an 8-yard scoring run by Hausia Sekona, it appeared the Leopards might dominate the 'Diggers.
But then Kafentzis worked his magic as the Jordan defense settled in.
Storylines
O Jordan star quarterback Austin Kafentzis throws for three touchdowns and runs for three others.
• East leads 20-7 late in the first quarter, but is outscored 35-6 thereafter.
• The Beetdigger defense stiffens in final three quarters to stifle the Leopards' attempted rallies.