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Granger • Asked when the last time Kearns began a football season with two straight wins, Cougar coach Matt Rickards guessed it had to be at least five or six years.
This year's Kearns team remains unbeaten after an impressive 35-13 victory over rival Kearns in the 46th meeting between the two west-side rivals.
After scoring 62 points but giving up 42 against Timpanogos in the first week of the season, Rickards put a special emphasis on defense.
It paid off as Kearns stopped Granger three times inside its own 5-yard line and took advantage of turnovers to win for only the 15th time in this long rivalry.
"It is a longtime rival," said Rickards of Granger. "They are just right up the road from us. This win means a lot to the kids. They hang out with each other all the time. They have family. They play rugby together."
Kearns started this one poorly, giving up a fumbled punt deep in Granger territory after forcing a Lancer punt to begin the game. But Nick Galo came up with a big fumble recovery inside the Kearns 5.
Granger struggled with its kicking game much of the night, sometimes even going for it on fourth down rather than punt on the second series. That gave Kearns good field position and Sese Felila scored on a 3-yard run.
The Cougars, not known as a passing team, went to the air with John Bass doing much of the damage. The Kearns quarterback gave his team a 14-0 lead on a 6-yard scoring pass to Graden Luckart.
"We came out passing," said Bass. "We tried to get the ball moving through the air. … I feel like we are getting better each week. Our offensive line is amazing. I believe we have one of the best in the state."
Granger came roaring back, getting a 38-yard scamper from Sione Houma to make it 14-7. After the Lancers' Maile Lolhea intercepted a Kearns pass, Granger drove deep into Kearns territory. In probably the key play of the game, the Cougars held at their own 1-yard line, getting the ball back on downs.
"Our defense made a lot of mistakes giving up some points [last week]," said Rickards. "We challenged our defense. We have been preparing for this game for a long time. It was important for us to get some success after working so hard."
The second half was all Kearns.
Bass got the scoring started with a 7-yard touchdown run. Sione Finau, the star last week, scored on a 32-yard run and Filila added a 30-yard run.
Granger got a late score from Sione Tauataina, but it was too little too late.
"The bottom line is that they played well," said Lancer coach Mike Morgan, whose team dropped to 1-1 on the season. They rose up to the occasion and they stomped us. They caused turnovers. Their kids played hard and they are coached well. … We had moments, but you have to put them all together. They had a lot more of them and they were putting them together."
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Kearns 35, Granger 13
R Kearns stops Granger three times inside the 5-yard line.
• John Bass passes for one touchdown and runs for another while Sese Felila runs for two other TDs.
• Kearns wins for only the 15th time in the 46-game series between the west-side rivals.