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Ogden • South Summit quarterback Nicholis Beasley despairingly lowered his head at midfield after throwing his fourth interception. Several teammates trudged toward him, the reality of defeat weighing down each step. There was nothing left to do but comfort one another underneath the roar of elation from the opposing sideline.
The run was over.
Beaver shocked the Wildcats, ending their state-leading 21-game winning streak, with a 33-0 shutout in the Class 2A state championship at Weber State.
"[Beaver] did a great job offensively, [on] defense and with special teams," South Summit coach Aaron Tillett said. "We felt prepared, but Beaver is a really good football team. They made all the plays today."
South Summit (11-1) built its historic run on certain principles noticeably absent on Saturday morning:
1. Strong defense: Beaver racked up 419 total yards, including 260 through the air.
2. Limited mistakes: Matthew Roberts, Colton Leos and Brennon Hutchings (2) each snagged interceptions for the Beavers. The Wildcats lost the turnover battle 5-1.
3. Ball control: Beaver enjoyed nearly seven minutes more of possession time.
4. Execution on offense: South Summit squandered two red zone opportunities in the first quarter, leading to three possessions ending on downs.
"I'm at a loss of words," said Wildcats running back Isaac Tillett. "We just didn't play like we should have. … They made plays when they were given the opportunity, and we didn't. That's the difference right there."
The Wildcats established several records this seasons, including holding the designation as the first program in the 2A classification to appear in The Tribune's statewide top 25 rankings. South Summit has won 80 percent of its games at every level of the program for several years.
"We had some great goals," Isaac Tillett said after reeling off hoards of accomplishments, "but I'd change it all if I could just get the state championship."
The loss against the Beavers serves as a painful hiccup, but doesn't taint the achievements of the group of seniors that will leave Kamas as one of the most successful classes in school history with 41 career victories and three consecutive 11-win seasons.
"We've had a great season. I felt like we were ready this week," Aaron Tillett said. "I can't take anything away [from Beaver]. We were on our heels the whole game. … It doesn't take anything away [from our accomplishments]. This hurts, there's no doubt."
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About the Wildcats' reign
• South Summit's 21-game winning streak, the longest in the state, ends in the Class 2A championship against Beaver.
• The Wildcats surrender five turnovers and have three drives stall on downs.
• South Summit's Class of 2016 seniors end their careers with 41 career victories, including posting three straight 11-win seasons.