This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It's 28 and counting for the Duchesne football team.
That said, the latest victory for the two-time defending Utah state Class 1A champions, 14-0 against a determined Summit Academy, was a defensive masterpiece.
Friday's homecoming game for Summit, which was played at Judge Memorial, was decided by two plays and a goal-line stand worthy of a 28-game winning streak. The win also kept the Eagles unbeaten in their North Region.
"Our defense was obviously better, it was the reason we won," said Duchesne linebacker Christian Mahan, whose 42-yard return of an interception to the Summit Academy 16-yard line set up the first Eagles score.
Duchesne quarterback Trent Roberts bulled across the final yard with 3 minutes, 8 seconds to play in the first quarter.
Roberts scored the second Eagles touchdown as well, this time running the option to perfection. The junior rolled right, faked a pitch, found a seam and, after breaking an arm tackle, raced 74 yards with less than two minutes to play in the first half.
The 14 points was all Duchesne (6-0, 2-1) needed.
"[The shutout] was very important," said Roberts, who also played outside linebacker. "We watched a lot of film and knew they were a second-half team."
Roberts gained 103 yards on the ground and was a hard-luck 0-of-10 passing. He had at least six passes dropped. Meanwhile, Matt Muir and Kaden Moon combined for more than 100 yards rushing.
Duchesne kept its shutout intact midway through the fourth quarter by stonewalling Summit Academy (4-3, 2-3) four times on a first-down possession that began on the Eagles' 1-yard line.
"This is the story of our season," first-year Summit coach Scott Gorringe said. "We held our own with the exception of the turnovers. Their defense was awesome."
Gorringe also credited Duchesne's team speed, specifically on the corners, with holding down the Bears' passing game. Summit quarterback Christian Miller completed 13 of 32 passes for 74 yards and three interceptions.
As for the unbeaten run, Duchesne's players kept an even keel.
"We let it intimidate the other team," Roberts said.