This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ogden • It felt as if the entire town of Morgan was in attendance to watch the Trojans play in their first state championship since 1997. An entire rock band, complete with amplifiers, electric guitars and drums, assembled atop Stewart Stadium at Weber State to play occasional pump-up AC/DC chords.
It wasn't enough to beat Juan Diego.
The Soaring Eagle captured their sixth title in the school's 16-year history with a 28-13 win in the Class 3A championship on Saturday.
"We came together," said Eagle running back Kaden Hayward, who finished with 172 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. "We've been talking about this since we were 8."
Juan Diego (12-1) ignored its critics, who argued the private school had no business competing in the 3A classification, and the players handled their business. The Soaring Eagle did not lose against 3A competition, but were challenged in several games.
Morgan, which dropped the first meeting between the two schools by 14 points, was the aggressor in the first quarter. Ian Mortensen stripped Hayward of the ball as he surged ahead on a second-effort run on Juan Diego's opening series, giving the Trojans possession 37 yards away from points.
Trojans quarterback Tucker Skinner wasn't anticipating the snap on second down from the Juan Diego 12-yard line on the ensuing drive, which forced the Trojans to eventually settle for a field goal attempt.
"I knew we were going to make up for [the fumble]," Hayward said.
Juan Diego's all-everything Josh Vasquez escaped containment off the edge and blocked the kick. Daniel Wilson then scooped up the deflection and raced down the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown to furnish a 6-0 lead for Juan Diego.
"[Morgan] controlled the whole first quarter offensively," said Juan Diego coach John Colosimo. "He blocks that and we get the return for the touchdown. It set the tone. I think were able to hang onto the momentum. There were times when it seemed to shift, but I think our kids responded. We weathered the storm."
Hayward made personal amends for his gaffe on the next offensive possession by reaching pay dirt from 6 yards out. Quarterback Alex Hoffman found Blake Moore on the two-point conversion for a 14-0 lead at 11:20 in the second quarter.
The Soaring Eagle had an opportunity to extend their advantage shortly thereafter, but Dillon Savage's 31-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
Morgan promptly traveled the length of the field with its newfound pulse, using a steady dose of Conley Breshears and Spencer Larsen, and with 31.6 seconds until halftime, Austin Francis corralled a bobbled exchange and finished the 10-point swing with a 3-yard run, cutting Juan Diego's lead to 14-7 at the break.
Juan Diego hunkered down in the third quarter, vacuuming nearly nine minutes off the clock before Hoffman punctuated an 11-play, 89-yard drive with his 8-yard keeper.
Morgan quickly responded on Francis' second touchdown scamper from 34 yards out to pull within 21-13 after the point-after failed, but the Soaring Eagle were hardly fazed.
Hoffman once again orchestrated a clock-draining drive, but staring at fourth-and-5 at Morgan's 40-yard line — Juan Diego was left at crossroads.
Up eight with 6:18 remaining: Punt and play defense or gamble for the first?
"I really thought we could get it," Colosimo said.
Hoffman connected with Zach Hoffman for a 12-yard gain that eventually led to Alex Hoffman's 3-yard run for the two-score lead.
"We had an option off that route that we hit them a lot in the first game, so I knew they were going to be looking for that," he said. "I was looking for that underneath route, and it was open, so I hit it."
Morgan marched down to Juan Diego's 17 on its desperation drive before Vazquez snagged his 12th interception to commence the celebration.
"I think so," Vazquez said when asked if that was his favorite of the dozen. "It [meant] I was going to get a ring."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Juan Diego 28, Morgan 13
R Juan Diego captures its sixth title in its 16-year history after knocking off Morgan for the second time this season in the Class 3A championship.
• The Soaring Eagle do not lose against 3A competition this season.
• Kaden Hayward rushes for 172 yards and one touchdown, while Josh Vazquez blocks a field goal and snags his 12th interception of the year.