The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Dax Sumko rushed for four touchdowns and 281 yards in the win for the Bees. The Bees responded after every Royal’s touchdown with a touchdown of their own. Their record moves to 2-0 in Region 5 and 5-0 overall. Sumko, quarterback Ryan Griffin, and running backs Mason Jeppesen and Damon Rodriguez made big plays for the Bees.

Box Elder is the only remaining undefeated team in 5A. They entered the game ranked number five according to MaxPreps RPI football rankings in the 5A class. The Bees have played every game on the road, as their home stadium is under renovation. The Royals entered the game as the number nine ranked team in 5A.

Averaging 41.8 points per game this season, the Bees look like a team to beat in Region 5. The excellent play execution and avoiding turnovers were vital in moving past a tough Royals team. Roy entered the game having won three straight contests.

First quarter

Box Elder’s defense set the tone after kicking off to the Royals and stopping their drive on downs at the Bees’ 20-yard line. The opening offensive possession for the Bees saw them drive down the field and open the scoring on Sumko’s 9-yard touchdown run.

A long pass completion from Griffin to Rodriguez set up Sumko’s first touchdown. With 4:09 on the clock, the Bees took a 7-0 lead. The ensuing kickoff saw a short kick to keep the ball away from dangerous Roy returners: Kili Eleneke and Robert Young.

The Royal’s next possession saw Young score on a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:32 left in the first quarter. Young was the focal point on the drive, carrying the ball on every play, tying the score, 7-7, and ending the first quarter.

Second quarter

The Bees opened the second quarter scoring with a Jeppesen touchdown run from 4 yards out. With 11:45 on the clock, the Bees took a 14-7 lead and control of the game. The Box Elder offensive line of seniors Nick Sega, Kyler Horne, Derek Nessen, and juniors Cody Kaleikini and Roman Torrey dominated the line of scrimmage in the second quarter.

The Royals brought in quarterback Joseph Carriaga III to generate a big play. Young continued to be the best option to pick up yards and pressure the Bees. With 8:06 left before halftime, the Bees forced a fourth down long field goal attempt by the Royals Colby Frokjer. The field goal try was short, and Box Elder took possession at their 34-yard line.

Both offenses stalled on their next drives, and Roy pinned the Bees deep in their territory with excellent coverage on their punt team. The Bees started their next drive at their 10-yard line. After big runs by Sumko through the Royal’s defense, the Bees had the ball at their 30-yard line. With 1:09 on the clock, Griffin rolled to his right and completed a perfect pass to an open Rodriguez for a 70-yard touchdown. With 1:10 on the clock, the Bees took a 21-7 lead, ending the first half.

Royal’s defensive line

Third quarter

Box Elder’s touchdown before halftime took away any momentum from the Royals going into the break. Roy attacked the Bees when the teams stepped onto the field for the third quarter. They halted the first Box Elder drive of the third quarter. Junior Royals quarterback Dru Gardner found tight end Cove Rodriguez from a 6-yard touchdown. The score was now 21-14 in favor of the Bees.

With 3:40 in the quarter, Sumko broke off a big run to move the ball deep into Royal’s territory. Answering the Royal’s score was Jeppesen taking a screen pass from Griffin into the end zone and push the Bees lead back up 14 points. The score now was 28-14 Box Elder.

The Royals next drive started at their 36-yard line, and they used running back Logan Cella to move the ball deep into Bees territory. Cella capped the drive off with a 2-yard touchdown and brought the Royals within seven points. The score now stood at 28-21 with 1:54 left in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter

Sumko would find the end zone for the third time with a 58-yard touchdown run and make the score 35-21 in favor of the Bees. Sumko’s run was a great play call by the coaching staff, an inside handoff that broke wide open. The Royals quickly moved the ball down the field on the ensuing kickoff. Senior running back DaeQwan Snider scored a touchdown on a 9-yard run. The score was now 35-21 with 9:03 remaining in the game.

As they did all game, the Bees would respond with a punishing running game that led to Sumko’s fourth touchdown. His touchdown run was a 1-yard score, scoring 42-21. Sumko set up his score with a long run up the middle of the Royal’s tiring defense. Kicker Ethan Barber converted his sixth extra point of the game for the Bees.

The game’s final score came on the following Bees’ kickoff, as Robert Young took the short kick 70 yards for a touchdown. The Royals failed on the extra point attempt as they could not handle the errant snap. The Bees held strong to end the game with a final score of 42-34.

Outstanding performers

Sumko is getting stronger each game and now has 497 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in his last two games. Sumko played big in the win for the Bees. The team displayed great effort in all phases of the game.

“It was incredible, and everyone did their job all around the board,” said Sumko. “The offense moved the ball all night. Defensively, we had a good first half but have a lot to work on. All around, it was very good performance from everyone. We got the big W, so that’s all that matters.”

Griffin has been outstanding this season, and in this game, he passed for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Rodriguez shined with 108 receiving yards on the night for the Bees. Jeppesen played everywhere, had 53 yards rushing and a receiving touchdown, and was vital on defense in keeping the explosive Royals playmakers in check.

Senior Nathan Pugsley was a force on defense for the Bees, accumulating 15 tackles to lead the team. The entire defense held the Royals offense to a 30-yard first-quarter pass completion from Young to Cove Rodriguez as their longest play, not on special teams.

Young was doing it all for the Royals as he rushed for 66 yards, had 30 yards receiving, passed for another 30 yards, and scored on a fantastic 70-yard kickoff return. Young’s two touchdowns, tough running, and skill set on special teams highlighted the Royals night.

Junior running back Logan Cella led the Royals with 69 yards on the ground, and Rodriguez led the team with 60 receiving yards. Junior linebacker Hunter Webb played a great game and led the Royal’s defense with ten tackles.

photos courtesy of James Tate