PAYSON, Utah – The semifinals of the 1A UHSAA football state tournament is in the books. four teams competed in the semifinal round, only two teams clinched a berth into the championship game at Weber State University.

KSL Sports takes a look at all of the semifinal action.

1A North No. 1-seed Duchesne Eagles 15

1A South No. 2-seed Parowan Rams 7

Duchesne had a goal, win and advance to the 1A championship game.

Standing in their way was the Parowan Rams, a team that beat the Eagles just five weeks previous. It may have taken three overtimes, but the Eagles would get their revenge with a 15-7 win.

“We’ve been through so much adversity this year,” said Duchesne Head Coach Jerry Cowan. “To win in this fashion against this team, a team that beat us earlier, I couldn’t be more proud of our guys.”

In a defensive battle, it was the Eagles defense that came out on top. At the end of the first half, Parowan marched downfield and found itself in prime scoring position. On fourth and two, the Duchesne defense got the stop keeping the score knotted at zero going into halftime.

The Eagles got the ball to start the second half and went to the air. Kason Grant found Kaleb Sanchez to get the ball to the Eagles’ 48-yard line. Then Grant, looking downfield again threw for Brock Ford, the ball was tipped in the air and fell into the waiting arms of Sanchez who went 52-yards for the touchdown score giving Duchesne a 7-0 lead.

With just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Eagle defense had to stay strong again. Parowan marched downfield but on fourth and goal, Dillon Moon shot into the Rams backfield for a huge tackle for loss to end the drive.

“For the most part, everyone did their job,” said Cowan. “We were solid, fundamental, and tough.”

But Parowan would get another opportunity. With just under 30 seconds remaining in the game, Parowan quarterback Porter Wood hit Ryan Jeffries for the game-tying touchdown.

Duchesne started with the ball in overtime, but after a missed field goal, it was Parowan’s turn. Wood threw for the end zone, but the ball was intercepted by Gavin Davis at the goal line.

In double overtime, both offenses failed to convert on fourth down, moving the game to the third overtime. Duchesne started with the ball, and found itself in a fourth and goal situation, neglecting the field goal, the Eagles went for it and Jaren Mortensen punched the ball in from two-yards out.

Parowan looked for an opportunity to tie the game, but on the first play of the drive, Wood threw for the end zone and was picked off by Davis again giving the Eagles a 15-7 win.

“We knew we could beat them. Our coaches put us in the right position,” said Davis. “We’re excited to go to the state championship, hopefully we can win again.”

 

1A South No. 1-seed Milford Tigers 70

1A South No. 3-seed Monticello Buckaroos 22

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead with their passing attack, quarterback Bryson Barnes hit Paxton Henrie for a five yard touchdown pass to open the scoring.

The Buckaroos answered with a touchdown, but the ensuing PAT was blocked, so the Tigers held on to the one point lead.

Now that the Tigers had found their groove, they wouldn’t slow down.

Barnes found Karson Wunderlich for a 25-yard touchdown pass to add to the lead. When Monticello got the ball back, Wunderlich made a big play on defense intercepting Buckaroo quarterback Mark Beh setting up a touchdown from Barnes to Paxton Henrie.

By halftime, the Tigers were up 49-6, securing a second-straight trip to the state championship game.

Bryson Barnes threw for six touchdowns in the win with four of those going to Paxton Henrie. Barnes also caught a touchdown pass from Henrie at the end of the first half on a trick play.

Milford and Duchesne will play in the 1A championship game on Saturday, November 10th at 1:30 p.m. at Weber State University.