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Riverton • Coach Mike Miller didn't think Riverton's game against Taylorsville in the opening round of the Class 5A football playoffs would be easy.
He was wrong.
Seniors Zac Lalliss and Keaton Kimball each ran for two touchdowns Friday night, leading the Silverwolves to a 55-21 cruise-control victory over the Warriors.
The win bumped Riverton's record to 9-1 and moved the Silverwolves into the state quarterfinals next week against Fremont. Taylorsville lost its third straight game to finish a once-promising season at 7-4.
"I thought we played pretty good," Miller said. "Taylorsville is a good team. They are very big, physical. Up until a couple of weeks ago, they could have been region champs. So I thought our kids handled it well."
Riverton scored three touchdowns after Warrior turnovers, including one in the first 40 seconds of the game.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Taylorsville started at its own 20-yard line. On first down, quarterback Toa Maumau fumbled and the Silverwolves recovered.
Two plays later, Lalliss run up the middle for a touchdown that gave Riverton a stunningly quick 7-0 lead.
"That [fumble] was a big play," Miller said. "It kind of spring-boarded into what happened. That boosted our confidence a lot."
On the ensuing possession, Riverton's defense forced a punt.
The Silverwolves took over on their own 20 before marching 80 yards in nine plays. Cayden Jones capped the drive when, on third-and-5, he ran 47 yards for a touchdown.
Taylorsville responded.
The Warriors needed 13 plays to go 61 yards, but Ueseli Isilei scored on an eight-yard run in the final minute of the first quarter to narrow Riverton's lead to 14-6.
The Silverwolves scored on their next two possessions to take a 28-6 halftime lead, however. They broke the game open on Cameron Christensen's 44-yard touchdown run on the first possession of the third quarter.
Why was Riverton's running game so effective?
"You know what?" Miller said. "I think it's just tempo and deception. It's what we've been doing here for years. Hopefully you can't find the ball."
Looking ahead to the quarterfinals, Miller said, "I feel real comfortable with the way our kids are playing now. … But Fremont throws the ball well and Corey Bosgieter is a good coach. They will be ready."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Riverton 55, Taylorsville 21
O Riverton turns three turnovers into touchdowns vs. Taylorsville.
• Zac Lallis and Keaton Kimball each run for two touchdowns to lead the Silverwolves.
• Riverton improves to 9-1 heading into next week's Class 5A quarterfinal against Fremont.