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Bluffdale • After Summit Academy coughed up 57 points in its loss against Emery in the opening week, the Bears strapped on the pads.
"After the Emery game, on the bus on the way back, our defensive coordinator said, 'We're hitting Monday and Tuesday. We got to learn how to tackle,' " Summit Academy coach Scott Gorringe explained. "I said, 'I agree.' "
The one-week improvement to their defense was profound, equating to the Bears' 35-21 home win against Rich on Thursday.
"Huge improvement. We're still not there," Gorringe said. "Our linebackers ran downhill, we made some tackles. We're not where we need to be, but we were 100 percent better."
The final score is deceiving, as Summit Academy's self-inflicted problems kept the Rebels within striking distance when it could have been a runaway from the onset.
The Bears (1-1) put the defending Class 1A champions on the ropes early. Quarterback Justin Miller orchestrated a nine-play, 77-yard opening drive that culminated with his 14-yard swing pass to running back Tyson Dias. The advantage grew to 14-0 on Dias' 32-yard off-tackle scamper with 9:17 remaining in the first half.
Rich (0-1) answered when quarterback Koy Brown punched it in from two yards out. The Rebels converted their 2-point conversion, slicing the lead to 14-7. The touchdown was set up by Summit Academy's second fumble of the first half.
"Ball security, turnovers — stupid penalties," said Gorringe, whose club had two interceptions negated by penalties. "I think we could have been in control, probably up four scores, if we don't fumble the ball and make stupid mistakes in the first half."
Rich nearly took advantage of the miscues, but it was limited in its attack. The run-heavy scheme drained the clock and worked against the comeback. Mitch Jarman's 4-yard rush punctuated the Rebels' scoring drive on the opening drive of the second half. The next score in the fourth quarter, which brought it to 35-21, milked more than seven minutes of game clock.
Summit Academy's offense showed glimpses of greatness, especially from the strong-armed Miller, who finished with touchdown passes of 14, 1 and 83 yards — which he double-pumped and found Kyland Taylor completed unattended downfield — on the evening.
"It's the little things," Gorringe said of what impressed him of Miller's night. "Right before we scored at half, we had a quarterback sneak called, and he audibled out and threw the out pass. It's the little intangible things that really help."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Summit Academy 35, Rich 21
• The Bears' Justin Miller throws touchdown passes in the win.
• Summit Academy loses two fumbles and has two interceptions called back because of penalties.