This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In a game where both teams scraped for yards, Woods Cross quarterback Ashton Fornelius finally found his moment.
The night before his birthday, Fornelius' 29-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Rasband gave Woods Cross enough breathing room to beat rival Bountiful 14-3 Friday night in a defensive, physical contest.
"We knew what we had to do," Woods Cross coach Justin Spencer said. "They are big. They are powerful. They execute what they do. We knew we had to win that battle right there in the trenches on defense and for the most part, we did."
The Wildcats stifled a Bountiful offense built on power running. The biggest defensive play came before halftime, after the Braves converted a second-and-31 situation on an 11-play drive to reach the Woods Cross' 16-yard line. But defensive back Judge Samuelu intercepted Bountiful quarterback Spencer Jorgensen at the Wildcats 1 to prevent a touchdown.
"I was just doing my reads and I saw the quarterback roll out," Samuelu said. "I thought I'd just drop back and go for it."
The Wildcats continued a season-long pattern of defensive success; they have allowed 54 points in five games. Friday's game was highlighted by two interceptions and four sacks, plus a fumble recovery on special teams.
"We're just really lock down," Samuelu said. "We have great corners, really good linebackers and really good linemen."
Bountiful took a 3-0 lead on a field goal in the second quarter, but Fornelius' first touchdown — a 5-yard pass to wide receiver Luke Johnson — gave Woods Cross a 7-3 lead at halftime.
In a game that could have spun out of control because of the intense atmosphere, Fornelius said the offense preached composure and found that big touchdown when it mattered most.
"We can't get over aggressive, we can't get ahead of ourselves, because if that happens, we turn the ball over," Fornelius said.
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith —
Storylines
• Woods Cross holds Bountiful to a field goal, bringing the season total to a region-leading 54 points surrendered.
• The teams combine for four personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a chippy game.
• Woods Cross' longest pass play of the game — a 29-yard touchdown pass from Ashton Fornelius to Luke Rasband — secures the win.