Juan Diego’s 20-game win streak went up in flames during a costly trip to Idaho for Utah’s defending 3A state champions.
In a 28-3 loss to Highland of Pocatello the Soaring Eagles were uncharacteristically manhandled and sloppy (four illegal procedure penalties). Matters wer compounded with running back Lars Gunderson, linebacker Bryson Pitcher and defensive lineman Dan Jimenez all suffering injuries that could keep them out for the remainder of the season.
Highland is now 3-1 against Utah teams.
Juan Diego still is the state’s top-ranked 3A team and has two weeks before its only remaining regular season challenge against Morgan.
Just like old times?
Timpview didn't cut former coaches Jason Walker and Bruce Pitcher any slack when they welcomed the duo -- now the head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, at Westlake -- back to campus by racking up 44 first-half points en route to a 65-12 non-region victory over the Thunder.
It was every bit a game that pitted a three-time defending state champion against a first-year school, except that Westlake (2-5) was running a lot of Timpview schemes. That was expected as Walker coached at Timpview for eight years.
Thunderbirds coach Louis Wong sat with Walker and Pitcher during Wednesday's sophomore and junior varsity contests, still comparing notes and discussing Westlake's first-year progress.
"I told them I wasn't going to cut them any [slack]," Wong said.
Timpview (4-2) won for the third straight time and has posted 40 or more points in each of those victories.
Backup from Boston
Alta starting QB Jordy Brown missed last Friday’s 47-7 rout of Riverton with a shoulder injury, but Boston Handley stepped up with 366 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start.
This week's top games
Pleasant Grove at Brighton: The Bengals are still basking in their victory over Alta two weeks ago. Pleasant Grove’s the front-runner in the "Who gets Bingham in the championship game?" sweepstakes, but starts a murderer’s row stretch with Lone Peak and Alta following Friday’s game.
Juan Diego at Bear River: Can the Soaring Eagles rebound?
Bingham at West Jordan: West Jordan snapped a two-game losing streak last week to Taylorsville.
Cottonwood at Hunter: A win gives Hunter the Region 2 lead.
Highland at Bountiful: This game will decide the Region 6 championship. If Bountiful wins, an undefeated season is within range with remaining games against Olympus and Stansbury.
Springville at Spanish Fork: First place battle for Region 8. Springville is on a three-game roll after losing to Juan Diego.
Volleyball
Could have used her
Former Timpanogos volleyball star Kristin Richards, who went on to play for the U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team, had her number retired last Thursday before a match with Lehi. The result was a three-game sweep for Lehi over the the Timberwolves. Richards’ former coach, Angie Roberts, is now on Lehi’s staff.
Fall championships
5A boys golf
An errant tee shot on the first playoff hole cost Syracuse’s Colton Ogden the low medalist honor, but that may have been the only miscue in the Titans’ 13-shot victory over defending champion lone peak. Syracuse only had one round above 80 in the two-day competition at Valley View. Layton’s Brandon Kida won the individual title with a two-day total of 138.
2A boys golf
It was closer than in previous years, but Rowland Hall claimed its third straight time title to end an undefeated season. South Summit's Taylor Haws was low medalist with a 143.
1A/2A girls tennis
Waterford ended Rowland Hall’s four-year run as state champions thanks to the No. 2 doubles team of Molly Love and Emily Peterson winning their final match.