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Layton • The Davis Darts' football season was put on life support four minutes into their Region 1 play-in game against Layton.

Darts football was alive and kicking by the end of the game.

Davis overcame an early 10-point deficit to beat Layton 23-16 on Tuesday to earn a trip to the Class 5A playoffs, where the Darts will meet Kearns on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the first round.

"We talked about that — when things aren't going good, we've got to bounce back," Darts coach Ryan Bishop said. "That's what we didn't do so well last time [against Layton]. So I was proud of our kids that they corrected that."

After Layton followed a field goal with an 80-yard touchdown drive to open a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game, Davis was quick to respond. The Darts scored on three straight drives, including a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gage Cook to Ashton Reinhold and a pair of field goals from Andrew Fuller.

"We kind of knew going in that any points we could get in any situation, we needed them," Bishop said. "Because they were so explosive last time we played them, we knew we needed points."

The Davis defense held Layton to just one touchdown the rest of the way, and the Darts intercepted Lancers quarterback Hunter Evans three times in the second half to seal the win.

"I'm giving the credit to the D-line," said Darts defensive back Chance Parker, who had two interceptions. "They put so much pressure on the quarterback, he just had to chuck stuff up. It was team play."

Cook finished 11-of-19 passing for 142 yards and two touchdowns for Davis, while Evans threw for 316 yards, a touchdown and three picks on 30-for-55 passing. Parker Rose added 74 yards on 12 carries for the Darts. —

Highlights

R Davis advances to the 5A state tournament, where it will play play at Kearns at 4 p.m. Saturday in the round of 16.

• The Davis defense finished with three interceptions.

• Hunter Evans threw for 316 yards and a score in the loss.