In Draper, the stage was set for a thrilling showdown as the Morgan Trojans faced off against the Richfield Wildcats in the 3A state championship game at Southern Utah University. Both teams entered the matchup undefeated, but it was Morgan’s elite defense that carried the day, ending Richfield’s 25-game winning streak with a hard-fought 13-2 victory.
Despite Morgan having garnered plenty of attention for their high-flying offense, racking up a staggering 593 points over the season, it was the Trojans’ defense that stole the spotlight on Saturday. Morgan had already shut out six teams this season, but limiting a potent Richfield offense to just two points in the state championship showcased their skills even further.
“There’s a lot of unselfishness with this group,” said Morgan coach Jared Barlow. “They were so focused on the team goal that it didn’t matter how we did it, they just wanted to win.” Morgan, who has now claimed two of the last three 3A state championships, finished the season averaging an impressive 46.6 points per game while allowing only 6.3 points on defense.
Defensive standout Nik Preece, wearing a Morgan state championship cap after the game, emphasized the importance of teamwork and resilience. “Just being tough, going out and hitting them hard… It’s amazing we only allowed two points in the state championship game,” he commented.
The game itself was tightly contested, with Morgan slightly outgaining Richfield 276 to 224 in total yardage. However, Morgan capitalized on key opportunities, scoring all their points in the first half. A frustrating start saw Richfield take an early 2-0 lead thanks to a safety resulting from a Morgan penalty, but the Trojans quickly turned the tide.
Early in the second quarter, Morgan struck first with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Beck Sheffield to Lincoln Gilson, taking a 7-2 lead. They built on this momentum with another score just before halftime when Sheffield completed a 3-yard run, extending their lead to 13-2.
“Getting that score at the end of the half was a big momentum shift for us,” reflected Coach Barlow, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus. In the second half, Richfield struggled against Morgan’s defense, managing only three possessions, all of which ended without scoring.
With 7:05 remaining in the game, Morgan stuffed two critical fourth-and-short attempts by Richfield, sealing their fate as the Trojans took over possession. “The best thing we can have right now is a seven-minute drive, put the game away. We don’t need any points, all we need right now is to get it to double zeros,” Barlow instructed his team as they executed their game plan expertly.
Sheffield concluded his performance with 119 passing yards and 63 rushing yards. Drew Korth added 76 yards on 14 carries, contributing to the Trojans’ historic win. With this victory, Morgan has solidified its status not only as 3A champions but as a formidable force in high school football.
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
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