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Sky View quarterback Garrison Beach gingerly trudged through post-game handshakes, nursing the shoulder that caused him great physical pain throughout the entire morning in the Class 5A state semifinals, and, now after the Bobcats fell for the first time this season, he battled his emotions, too.
Sky View failed to win its first state championship in school history after its offense struggled to generate any flow in its 23-7 setback against Herriman at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Friday.
Yet these Bobcats did not fail this season with one of the most successful seasons in school history in virtually every statistical category.
"We did accomplish a lot," Beach said. "That's a credit of how much time and effort we put in. Obviously, it didn't end how we wanted it to, but I'm proud to be a part of this team and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to play with these guys."
Beach yanked himself from the turf on four separate occasions after receiving blow after blow from Herriman's physical front that frustrated the Bobcats' potent offense into 191 total yards and negative-22 yards on the ground (with the benefit of two sacks).
"We wanted to pass them ball," said Sky View coach Craig Andher, who shouldered all the blame for the loss in his post-game comments. "We felt like they gave us some of the quick passes and we were able to take advantage of them at first. I wasn't able to mix it up well enough."
Beach suffered three shoulder stingers against the Mustangs, which he described as feeling like "fire down your arm." But he'd continue to fight another stinger for the chance to continue playing.
"I'm going to miss playing with these guys," Beach said. "That's all I'm thinking about right now. Lots of emotion. I'm going to miss being out here with these guys. Sorry we couldn't get it done."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Rough finish for Sky View
• Sky View's perfect season comes to a conclusion in the Class 5A semifinals
• The Bobcats managed only 191 total yards and were held to negative -22 rushing yards