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Ogden • Brandon Cahoon saw the football headed for him with a little more than two minutes remaining in a tie game against Morgan in the Class 3A semifinals at Weber State on Thursday.
"I had to go get it," Cahoon said. "I was in position, and had to go get it."
In the beginning of the season, Cahoon was notorious for getting beat in coverage, according to Delta coach Russ Fowles. Yet he refused to accept his reputation, a common characteristic for a group of Rabbits two years removed from a one-win season.
And after snagging two interceptions to keep Delta afloat in the quarterfinals, Cahoon wasn't about to let a third INT slide through his fingers. So he jumped the route and set up the Rabbits' game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard Jack Dutson run in an 21-14 upset to clinch the program's first appearance in the state championship since 2001.
"We're fighters. I love this team, and I know they're fighters. We play until it's over. That's what we did today," Cahoon said. "… It's huge, 15 years since last time? Wahoo! We look to win."
Delta, which finished 1-9 in 2014 and 4-8 in 2015, will play in the state title game at 4 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Southern Utah against the winner of Juab and Juan Diego, who play on Friday at 4 p.m. in the other state semifinal.
"It's unbelievable. I can't tell you how excited I am. These kids really battled back," Fowles said. "… It's huge for a small town like us. Football is the town. It's going to be a big boost for our town, real big shot in the arm."
Delta controlled the clock to keep the Trojans, who were ranked No. 1 in 3A for the majority of the season, at bay. The Rabbits finished with 28 minutes and 15 seconds of possession, milking 7:46 off the clock on a 17-play, 79-yard drive that was punctuated by a 5-yard run by Dallin Draper.
"Seventeen plays, really? Wow," Fowles said. "What do you say? Offensive line, man. They just got it done."
The touchdown knotted the score at 14 after Morgan's Conley Breshears' 9-yard run gave Morgan its first lead of the game. Delta led first, 7-0, after quarterback Layton Day scored on a 2-yard keeper. Morgan retaliated with a 50-yard burst by Trevor Rose.
"We're fighters," Cahoon said. "I love this team, and I know they're fighters. We play until it's over. That's what we did today."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Storylines
Delta clinches first appearance in the state championship since 2001 with upset over Morgan.
Brandon Cahoon snags interception to set up game-winning touchdown with two minutes left in regulation.
The Rabbits finished with 28 minutes and 15 seconds of possession time.