Prep football: Itaaehau helps Davis finishes romp through Region 1 by handling Weber
Bessinger crosses 10,000-yard career mark, moves up TD list
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- Davis High receiver Jaxton Itaaehau (88) eludes Weber tacklers on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Weber High’s Josh Hamblin, right, runs against an attempted tackle from Davis High’s Isaac Morrison (8) on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High’s Tyson Baggett (1) sizes up Weber defender Brock Dean (8) on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Weber High quarterback Carter Payne (2) unloads a pass as Davis linebacker Paxton Siddoway (24) closes in on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High quarterback Tradon Bessinger lets a pass fly against Weber on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Weber High’s Dyson Parker (11) tries to break a Davis tackle on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High receiver Jaxton Itaaehau, center, fights for yards against Weber on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High defensive back Isaac Morrison (8) closes in on Weber High receiver Creed DeVries on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High quarterback Tradon Bessinger throws the football against Weber on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
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- Davis High’s Connor Brown (11) gets in the mix during a tackle of a Weber ball carrier on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Kaysville.
KAYSVILLE — Throughout the years, Davis has dominated Weber on the football field.
While Wednesday’s game generated a little more juice with the Region 1 championship on the line, the results were famously familiar.
Davis improved to 41-17-3 overall in the series, played since 1926, with a 41-20 victory in the 61st all-time meeting.
In the process, the Darts recorded a perfect region record and took the title.
“It was a fun game, right? Region championship. We didn’t want to share it so we came hard; we came fast,” Davis senior quarterback Tradon Bessinger said. “That Jaxon (Itaaehau) kid, he had a game today. (Weber) played three down today because of our pass game, but if they want to do that, we’re going to run the ball down their throat. They can’t stop it.”
Itaaehau scored touchdowns on each of the Darts’ first three possessions (1-yard run, 2-yard reception, 6-yard run), as they raced to a 21-0 lead over the first 13 minutes, 50 seconds of the game.
“We wanted to establish our run game; teams only think we can pass. Makaio (Byrd) is our starting running back but he got hurt, so we switched roles,” Itaaehau said. “I think our line proves that anyone can be good at running back with them blocking up front.”
Itaaehau had a rare double-double, gaining over 100 yards on both the ground and through the air. He rushed 14 times for 121 yards and caught 11 passes totaling 109 yards receiving.
“I didn’t even know I got that many yards, but all those rushing yards I give credit to the line,” Itaaehau said. “The passing yards were mostly behind the line of scrimmage, so credit them for that, too.”
Showing their desire to establish the run early on, Davis (9-1, 4-0 Region 1) had scoring drives of 10, 12 and 14 plays in the first half.
“Grind the clock; establish our run game. Keep them off the field,” Itaaehau said.
With Weber finally aware that the Darts could move the ball on the ground, the passing game blossomed under Bessinger and company.
The next two Davis touchdowns came on tosses by Bessinger, a 16-yarder to Tyson Baggett in the second quarter and 26 yards to Bode Sparrow at the 2:47 mark of the third period.
Bessinger finished with the three touchdown passes to three different receivers, completing 26 of 37 attempts for 305 yards.
“Everybody can make plays on our team; everybody’s a dog. I trust every single one of them,” Bessinger said. “They’re in the right spot and they know I’m going to put it where they want it…doesn’t really matter who it is.”
With his effort in the regular-season finale, Bessinger became the ninth QB in Utah preps history to join the 10,000 passing yards club. At 118 career passing touchdowns, Bessinger moved past Jaxson Dart (116) and into a third-place tie with Lehi’s Cammon Cooper on the career touchdowns list.
“I’m really grateful for that; I’m proud of myself. I want to thank everybody for helping me out on my dream: Coach (Scott) Peery, the line, those receivers — they’re different, they’re special guys,” Bessinger said. “I want to thank my parents. My dad, I don’t know how much he spent on me for this football stuff; hopefully it’s paying off.”
Baggett’s touchdown catch gave the Darts a 28-0 lead at the half and Luke Jolley’s 35-yard field goal midway through the third quarter made it 31-0 before Weber finally got on the board.
Weber quarterback Carter Payne passed 11 yards to Dyson Parker late in the third quarter to break the ice, then, following Sparrow’s TD grab, Parker ran from 5 yards out early in the final frame, bringing the count to 38-14.
Parker had the two touchdowns and was a workhorse for the Warriors, rushing 25 times for 150 yards, while catching five passes for 28 yards and also playing on the defensive side of the ball.
The Warriors (4-5, 2-2) added one more touchdown late in the game on Payne’s second scoring throw, this one a 12-yarder to Creed DeVries with 2:49 remaining.
Payne was 20 of 33 for 149 yards and the two touchdowns for Weber and DeVries grabbed eight balls for 66 yards and the score.
Jolley’s 22-yard field goal gave the Darts their final points.
Wednesday was senior night for the Darts, and Bessinger reflected on his career after the game.
“This place, I’m so glad I came here. I’m so glad that Davis is my home … that the community brought me in. As a young kid I really appreciated that. I love Davis with all my heart,” Bessinger said.
With the region season in the books, the Darts could host two 6A state playoff games if they continue their winning ways.
“We got the good seed; I’m excited for that. Our fans are going to show up no matter what. The mob (student section) is always great,” Bessinger said. “It was kind of a boring game today, but life is good.”
Itaaehau chimed in: “Last year we could have done better and won it (region); I’m glad we won it this year, but we’re going for state. We want to go all the way.”
