The Hive Sports

by James Tate

A great contest of coached teams saw the Redhawks play their second home game of the season and with a three-game winning streak. The Royals had a four-game winning streak of their own and sat on top in Region 5 with a 5-1 region record. The Redhawks fell to third place in the region with a 4-2 record after the 26-14 loss.

Royals convert three turnovers into a 17-0 lead

The Redhawks’ first three possessions of the game were ones they would want to forget. After a 31-yard completion from quarterback Emerson Geilman to Jacob Brooks on the Redhawk’s first drive, Jaxton Scoffield recovered a fumble on the next play. The Royals ended their first possession after the fumble, with Daeqwan Snider scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run. The score after the touchdown was 7-0 in favor of the Royals with 7:13 on the clock.

Bountiful started their next possession on their 40-yard after a great kickoff return. Geilman attempted a deep pass on the drive, and Cole West stepped in front of his pass for an interception on the Royals 40-yard line. The Royals would convert this turnover into another score with quarterback Dru Gardner sprinting in the end zone from 60 yards out. With 5:27 left in the first quarter, the Royals took a quick 14-0 lead.

The Redhawk’s next possession started at their 20-yard line after Royal’s kickoff into the end zone. Geilman would throw his second interception of the first quarter on a deep pass by Royals safety Jake Viers.

Redhawks respond in the second quarter

The Redhawk’s defense would stand firm and force the Royals into a 26-yard field goal by Aidan Hart. The score now stood at 17-0 in favor of the Royals with 9:16 in the second quarter. The Redhawks would get on the scoreboard with a 20-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Siaki Fekitoa. Fekitoa’s score with 6:13 on the clock made the score 17-7, Royals. Fekitoa dominated the drive with big runs up the middle of the Roy defense.

After the kickoff, Royals quarterback Joseph Carriage attempted a pass over the middle, and Redhawks linebacker Brigham Morrison intercepted the pass. The Redhawks went back to Fekitoa, and he scored from the three-yard line, his second touchdown of the game. The score now stood at 17-14 in favor of the Royals with 4:28 left before halftime.

Bountiful’s defense would hold the Royals next possession to a fourth-down punt. The Redhawks would also punt on their next possession, but their punt pinned the Royals at the two-yard line with 1:37 left on the clock. The Royals would run out the clock and the second quarter in the lead 17-14.

Royals’ Dru Gardner sets to pass

Royals control third quarter

Looking to keep the momentum of scoring the last 14 points, the Redhawks would turn to their defense to start the third quarter. The Royals would take the opening drive deep into Redhawk territory and settle for a 24-yard field goal by Hart. The score now had the Royals ahead 20-14 with 8:25 in the third quarter.

The Royals knew defense would be vital in stopping the Redhawks with pressure on Geilman and the second interception of the game by Viers. They were led by the defensive front of Maxx Johnson, Colby Hepner, Jaxon Scoffield, and. Viers’ interception was a game-changer play as the Redhawks were inside the Roy 10-yard line and ready to take the lead.

Royals close out the Redhawks in the fourth quarter

The Roy defense was ready, with the Redhawks forced to pass the ball to get a touchdown and close the gap. The defense would pressure Geilman, and the Royals linebackers would make sure to tackle. Logan Cella and Hunter Webb would make key tackles and keep the Redhawks receivers in front of them.

The Royals running back, Robert Young, would score a touchdown on a 4-yard run and make the score 26-14. A key play on this drive was a roughing the kicker penalty that saw Colby Frokjer make the kick from 42 yards out. The Royals took the penalty and the first down that led to Young’s score.

The Royals secondary would have four total interceptions in the game, but no more significant play than Corben Schuffenauer making a great play on fourth down and preventing the Redhawks from scoring a touchdown.

Outstanding performers

The Redhawks’ tough running in the second quarter of Fekitoa led to him being the games leading rusher with 93 yards and two touchdowns. The Redhawks’ defense saw Jacob Brooks have 12 tackles, Morrison’s 10 tackles, and an interception to lead the team. Joshua Liljenquist also chipped in with ten tackles for the Redhawks.

The Royals offense running game gained 239 yards against a tough Redhawk defense. The offensive line of Kade Barney, Cade Draper, Kasch Casero, Wesley Barker, Jaxton Wilberg, and tight end Cove Rodriguez led the surge up front.

Young finished with 96 receiving yards and 18 on the ground with a rushing touchdown. Johnson was a force on the defensive line with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. The two interceptions were the difference in the game.

photos courtesy James Tate