SLIDESHOW: Davis vs. Hunter football
SALT LAKE CITY -- The tradition-rich Davis Darts will have a chance to add to their storied history.
The Darts, owners of seven state championships, earned another berth in the 5-A state title game by dismissing three first-half turnovers en route to a convincing 41-17 semifinal victory over Hunter.
In a matchup squaring off two potent rushing attacks, the Wolverines couldn't contain Tanner Hinds and Co. as Davis ran for 275 yards, averaging nearly eight yards a carry.
Not to be outdone, Hunter added 237 yards on the ground led by 156 yards from Ekuasi Tavo on 32 carries, but its lack of a passing game helped the Darts withstand Hunter's attempts to get back into the contest.
"(Our players) were focused, they played hard and were able to overcome some early miscues, but they kept battling," Davis coach Ryan Bishop said. "We knew that Hunter was big, physical and strong and that they were going to run the ball and we needed to rise to the challenge. I was proud of the kids for being able to do that.
"I guess the good news is that we were able to come out and play well enough to win, but there are still a lot of things that we can fix and we get to play another week."
If Davis didn't have the Wolverine's attention to start the game, it didn't take long to earn it. Hunter, winners of seven straight and one of the hottest teams in the state, quickly found itself down 7-0 on the fourth play of the game as Hinds broke free for a 38-yard scamper down the left side.
A pair of potentially costly turnovers kept the Darts from putting the contest away before halftime. Three fumbles inside Hunter territory stalled drives.
As it was, the Wolverines exchange the second turnover for a five-yard touchdown run to knot the score at seven-all with eight seconds left in the opening quarter.
Hinds responded on the last play of the first quarter with a 67-yard sprint down the sideline, outracing the defense for a touchdown. He ended the opening period with 121 rushing yards and totaled 187 for the game.
"It's awesome to go to the state championship game," Fowler said. "I love having Tanner in the backfield. Whenever we would fake to him, their whole team would shift that way. It makes my job a lot easier."
The Darts last appearance in the state championship game came in 2004 when Davis defeated Cottonwood, 50-43, in a thrilling overtime game. The Darts will meet Bingham next Friday at 2:30 p.m. for the crown.
Comments