The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Something had to give in this Region 1 showdown between the Fremont Silverwolves (4-2) and the Layton Lancers (4-2), as both teams entered this region game on a three-game win streak. The Silverwolves would prevail behind a strong performance by a defense that held the Lancers to seven points.

Senior linebacker Bubba Koford and safety Slade Parker led the Silverwolve’s defense. Koford was in on ten tackles and broke up a fourth-down pass attempt by the Lancers late in the game. Parker had an interception and made six tackles in a game that stayed within one score of evenly-matched teams.

Pivotal plays from junior Manase Tuatagaloa at quarterback enabled the Silverwolves to pull away in the fourth quarter and secure the win. Tuatagaloa passed for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the game. The defensive line of Tuatagaloa, seniors Topiese Lelenoa, Ridge Lindley, and sophomore Jakson Masters led the charge by providing a front line that limited the Lancers to 33 rushing yards in the game.

Michael Marriott

First half

The Lancers would strike first on the scoreboard, with senior Michael Marriott scoring on a three-yard run. Marriott set up the score with an excellent kickoff return to start the game to give the Lancers excellent field position. The impressive opening drive for the Lancers took 8:40 and saw senior quarterback Madden Sargent move the offense efficiently with pass completions to Marriott, Teiyon Halbasch, Vann Sandoval, and Malu Lumpkins.

The key play on the drive was a fourth-down completion to Marriott, which resulted in a first-down for the Lancers. With 3:20 in the first quarter, the Lancers had an early lead 7-0. After the Lancer kickoff, the Silverwolves would take their opening drive of the game and move deep into Lancer territory to the three-yard line.

Manase Tuatagaloa

The Lancer defense stood strong, stopping the Silverwolves on downs and taking possession. Lancer linebacker Hayden Smith made a tackle for loss that was key in preventing the Silverwolves from scoring. The fourth-down play was a pass attempt from Tuatagaloa to Zach Masters, broken up in the end zone by the Lancers junior safety JP Garlick.

The Lancers would punt the ball back to the Silverwolves on their next possession, and Salesi Moa returned it deep into Lancer territory. A fumble on the Silverwolves’ next offensive possession gave the Lancers the ball again at their 12-yard line. With 8:07 left in the second quarter, the Lancers would hold a 7-0 lead. Both defenses would hold the offenses out of the end zone, and the halftime score would stay at 7-0 in favor of the Lancers.

Second half

The Silverwolves opened the third quarter receiving the kickoff and drove down the field, ending with a missed 42-yard field goal attempt. The Lancers attempted to capitalize on the missed field goal but could not move the ball, and a short punt gave the Silverwolves excellent field position inside Lancer territory.

Taking advantage of a short field, the Silverwolves would score their first touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Tuatagaloa to Moa. A successful two-point conversion gave the Silverwolves the lead 8-7 with 4:18 on the clock in the third quarter.

An essential play on the scoring drive was a pass completion from Tuatagaloa to Zach Masters on a third and nine play, keeping the drive going.

The Lancers would try to answer the Silverwolves touchdown, but Parker would make an interception after the kickoff, giving the ball back to the Silverwolves with 6:45 in the third quarter.

“On my interception they were in a 2×2 and motioned their key receiver over and I knew exactly what play was coming from watching film and going against the scout offense all week,” Parker said. “I was over him and the ball was in the air so I went up and got the ball.”

The Silverwolves would not let this opportunity get away and would score again, with Tuatagaloa finding Moa on a 9-yard touchdown pass. With 2:18 in the third quarter, the score stood at 15-7.

Silverwolves Koford tackles Lancers running back Solomon Lee

The fourth quarter was scoreless, but the defenses highlighted the last period with great stops, including Koford denying the Lancers a first down and knocking away a pass attempt in the game’s final minute. The Silverwolves would run out the clock to end the game with a 15-7 victory.

Outstanding performers

Silverwolves

Owen Simkins was the game’s leading rusher with 78 yards. Moa led all receivers with six catches, 54 yards, and two touchdowns. Koford led a relentless defensive effort by the Silverwolves that shut out the Lancer’s offense after the first drive.

“The effort by the defense was incredible, eight plays inside the 10-yard and we stopped them from scoring,” Koford said. “Going into halftime, we were all so confident that we were going to win the game, with no doubt in our minds.”

Lancers

Cornerback Carlos Diaz led all tacklers with 11 total stops in the game. Halbasch led the Lancers in receiving with five receptions for 52 yards.

photos courtesy of James Tate