The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Davis quarterback Tradon Bessinger threw four of his five touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Kash Gates. The Darts won 45-20 and moved their season record to 5-1 and 1-0 in Region 1. The Weber Warriors fell to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in region play. The Warriors could not stop the Bessinger to Gates combination and committed two costly second-half turnovers.

First quarter

The Warriors started the game with an on-side kick, but the Darts were ready for it and recovered at mid-field. A slow start for the Darts saw the drive stall, and the Warriors forced a punt.

The Warriors moved the ball near midfield before the Darts forced a punt by junior Crew Cacciacarne. The Darts found success with runs by junior Owen Talbot. After Davis deep into opposing territory, the drive stalled, and the Darts missed a field goal attempt.

The Darts forced another punt by the Warriors on the next possession, led by a third sack by junior Jackson Kuma. Taking over at mid-field after a short Warrior punt, the Darts offense continued their momentum from the previous drive.

With 2:40 left in the first quarter, the Darts scored first on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bessinger to Gates. The score was set by a long pass from Bessinger to freshman Bode Sparrow and a first-down run by Talbot, and the first quarter ended with the Darts in the lead 7-0.

Second quarter

Bessinger started to get comfortable, and the Darts offense successfully moved the ball. Great field position and converting on third downs was vital for the Darts to start the second quarter. With 9:08 in the quarter, Bessinger found Gates for their second touchdown. The score now stood at 14-0 in favor of the Darts.

The Warrior’s next possession saw an attempted halfback pass by sophomore Dyson Parker intercepted by Dart’s senior safety McCoy Frasure. Taking over on a short field, the Darts turned the turnover into a touchdown with Talbort diving into the end zone from the 10-yard line. A Bessinger to Sparrow deep pass was key in the scoring drive to give the Darts a 21-0 lead with 5:35 on the clock.

The Warriors offense put together an impressive 80-yard drive on their next possession that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Cacciacarne to senior Ian Elmore. With seven seconds before halftime, the score now stood at 21-7 with the Darts in the lead.

Key plays in the drive included Cacciacarne scrambling for big yards and pass completions to seniors Tyler Payne and Nakosi Swain. The Warriors also converted a fourth and two play with Parker running up the middle, placing the ball on the one yard-line.

The final play of the first half saw Payne intercept a Bessinger pass, run out the clock, and give the Warriors momentum.

photo of Dart’s Ami Moala

Third quarter

With the momentum from scoring a touchdown before halftime, the Warriors received the second-half kickoff and started on their 20-yard line. The drive’s third play saw Cacciacarne find Elmore wide open on a perfectly thrown deep pass for an 85-yard touchdown. The Warriors cut the lead down to seven points and made the score 21-14 to start the third quarter.

The Darts would respond with Bessinger finding Gates for a 59-yard touchdown pass. Gates made a spectacular catch and run to find the end zone for his third touchdown. With 9:24 in the third quarter, the score stood at 28-14 in favor of the Darts.

The Darts recovered a fumble by Cacciacarne on the next drive. The drive would end with a 25-yard field goal from Finn Garff and make the score 31-14 with 5:44 left in the third quarter.

Frasure would make his presence felt with his second interception on the next possession for the Warriors. With the ball deep in Warrior’s territory, the Darts scored a 14-yard touchdown slant pass from Bessinger to Gates. This touchdown was Gates’ fourth of the game and made the score 38-14 with 1:13 left in the third quarter.

Fourth quarter

The Warriors scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter when Cacciacarne found leading receiver sophomore Salesi Moa on a 17-yard play with 7:13 left in the game. Moa had been covered well throughout the game by Dart senior cornerbacks Nick Johnson and Damon Brown. The score now was 38-20 after a missed 2-point conversion by the Warriors.

Bessinger and the Darts would answer the Warrior’s score with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Sparrow. Sparrow made a tremendous one-handed catch in the back of the end zone to give the Darts the lead for good with 5:02 left in the game.

Cacciacarne would end the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Elmore and make the final score 45-20. The loss ends the two-game winning streak for the Warriors. They play next on the road at the Syracuse Titans. The Darts have won five straight and play at home against the Fremont Silverwolves next.

Outstanding performers

Gates cashed in four touchdowns on 11 receptions for 156 yards in the game. Sparrow hauled in six catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Talbot rushed for a game-high 95 yards and scored a touchdown.

Defensively, Frasure’s two interceptions were vital in returning momentum to the Darts. Kuma had 2.5 sacks and eight total tackles in the contest. Senior Deuce Wright led the defense with 13 total tackles.

Playing without injured team captain Jacob Faerber, senior Carter Dorius made 11 tackles when the team needed stops. Senior Jordan Taula was in on ten tackles and was in the opposing backfield throughout the game.

Cacciacarne played a great game, threw four touchdown passes, and scrambled for first downs throughout the game. Elmore was on the receiving end with three touchdown catches for the Warriors. Payne was the defensive leader with an interception and numerous tackles in the game.

Photos courtesy James Tate