Orem Rolls Past Dixie For Second Consecutive State Title
Nov 16, 2018, 2:32 PM | Updated: 2:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As they’ve done all season long, the Orem Tigers won in dominating fashion. This time they prevailed 60-13 over the Dixie Flyers to secure their second consecutive 4A state championship.
“I feel and obviously I’m a little bit opinionated here, but I think we’re the best team playing here today,” said Orem head Jeremy Hill after the game.
After winning the state title in convincing fashion, Hill might have a case.
As for how the Tigers were able to win the state championship by 47 points, it was simple, according to Hill.
“I thought the boys came out and played their game and that’s why the score was a little lopsided today,” said Hill.
Legas Leads The Way
The Tigers were led by star quarterback Cooper Legus, who finished with 333 yards through the air and three touchdown passes.
Describing his star quarterback, who was among the nation’s passing yards leaders this season, Hill made reference to a 1980s sci-fi comedy.
“If I could build a player and put him together like they used in to that ‘Weird Science’ movie, that’s who I’d put together,” said Hill. “The guy is just a machine. He can run, he can throw the ball. He’s just a stud. You couldn’t ask for a better quarterback to lead.”
Nacua Leaves A Lasting Legacy
Two of Legas’ touchdown passes were to his favorite target, Puka Nacua. The senior wide receiver put on a clinic in his final high school game, hauling in nine passes for 182 to go along with the two scores.
“We’re proud of him, there’s not a better receiver to ever come through here and it shows,” said Hill “The kid is so smart, athletic and he loves this which makes it special for all of us to be around him.”
Nacua wasted no time after game, proudly throwing on a t-shirt that read “Back 2 Back” in celebration of the Tigers’ second consecutive state title. Although the feeling was sweet for Nacua, it wasn’t exactly the same as the first championship last year.
“It’s still almost as good,” said Nacua after the game. “Back to back. Not a lot of people get to say they won back to back state championships, let alone play in two. So it’s definitely crazy.”
Nacua went to state that Orem’s athletic director Robert Steele met with the team before the game and stated how meaningful it would be to the program to go back-to-back for the first time. And with a dominating win over the Flyers, that vision has become a reality.