Sparrow was back to return Farmington’s second-half kickoff when the ball pivoted at the 1-yard line instead of rolling into the end zone for a touchback.

By the time Sparrow finally picked it up, Farmington swarmed him and Davis was in a hole.

“I wouldn’t mean to do that, but it did stop. That’s sports sometimes. You’ve got to take accountability, and I did,” Sparrow said. “That was on me; just part of the deal, but I made up for it on the next play.”

Davis lined up with Sparrow in the wildcat formation, where he broke through the line, swept right and raced 99 yards for a touchdown.

ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

“The whole building knew where it was going when we go to that package; we just imposed our will on them,” Sparrow said. “The O-line gave me time, and I saw a gap open up and took it to the house.”

Sparrow scored four touchdowns overall and No. 5 Davis advanced to the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament, flattening No. 12 Farmington 37-18 on a drizzly Friday night.

With Jaxton Itaaehau not available, Sparrow lined up in the wildcat position nine times, rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

“Hats off to the O-line and the fullbacks blocking for me all night. They gave me holes to go and attack, and I made plays. That’s what you’ve got to do in rainy conditions like this,” Sparrow said. “That’s the sign of a great team when you can be multi-dimensional.”

Known as a record-setting receiver during his career at Davis, Sparrow seamlessly transitioned to running back on Friday.

ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

“My whole four years, I never ran the ball like I did today,” Sparrow said. “I’m a football player. I can do whatever the team needs of me. I grew up playing running back all my younger years and I’m pretty confident if we need any yards, I’m going to get them.”

After a Farmington punt on its first possession, Davis embarked on a 15-play, 76-yard drive that took 6:43 off the clock, ending in a 4-yard Sparrow touchdown run.

The Darts (8-3) started with a traditional offense, mixing the run and the pass, but took to the ground midway through the drive.

“We were running the ball and it was working, so we might as well keep doing it,” Davis quarterback Paden Toula said. “We didn’t know it was going to rain like this; the ball was pretty wet and run was a better option.”

Sparrow said the Darts adapted to the weather conditions, after practicing all week in perfect, balmy fall weather leading up to game time.

ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

“We didn’t even know until game time; who cares what the weather is like. We had a good attitude about it,” Sparrow said. “We embraced it; sure enough, it worked out in our favor.

“Running really deflates a defense when they know it’s coming and they simply can’t stop it. That was a great momentum boost. We just wanted to go straight at them.”

Kysen Gallegos rushed seven times for 37 yards, Briggs Taylor had five carries for 23 yards and Toula toted the ball five times for 26 yards and a touchdown for Davis.

Toula’s 14-yard TD came at the 8:39 mark of the second quarter and widened the Davis lead to 18-0.

“I’ve got to give all credit to the O-line; then Cooper (Rigby) came around to block. I read the blocks and trusted my guys,” Toula said.

ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Sparrow’s other rushing touchdown was an 18-yarder with 1:10 left in the second stanza, giving the Darts a 24-8 lead at the break.

He added his fourth touchdown on a 1-yard catch on a Toula pass for Davis’ final points with 48.5 seconds remaining in the third period.

“I thought we were going to run it. But the coaches said we’re going to Bode,” Toula said. “The corner kind of backed off and it was wide open. They expected us to run the ball; that worked out pretty well for us.”

Already the state record-holder for touchdown catches in Utah high school history, Sparrow notched number 60 on that play.

“It’s crazy to think it’s my last home game. I’ve been playing here since I was 14. Obviously, to do it against the hometown rival in that fashion is something I won’t forget,” Sparrow said. “I’m super grateful for my time here; just super blessed.”

ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

After a tight 14-3 win against Farmington (4-7) during Region 1 play, Davis came out focused and scored on five straight possessions before the subs finished the final frame.

“We were more excited for this game. We wanted to come out and beat them again; make a statement,” Toula said.

In his first playoff game since his freshman year at Bonneville, Toula was poised with the rushing touchdown and the TD toss.

“No better feeling. I love my guys. It’s fun to be able to play with them and get wins,” Toula said.

Toula and Sparrow get another chance to ball with their boys next Friday at No. 4 Herriman (9-2) in the quarterfinals.

ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Bob Judson has covered high school sports for the Standard-Examiner for 51 years.

A Davis High player and Farmington's Thayne Boyle (14) lock up at the point of attack during a 6A first-round playoff game Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Kaysville. (ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner)

Davis High quarterback Paden Toula (17) runs the football away from Farmington defenders during a 6A first-round playoff game Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Kaysville. (ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner)

during a 6A first-round playoff game Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Kaysville. (ISAAC FISHER, Special to the Standard-Examiner)

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