The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Fremont Silverwolves (8-3), currently one of the hottest teams in the state, secured their eighth win in the last nine games with their second-round playoff victory over the Syracuse Titans (5-6). As the Region 1 co-champion, the Silverwolves took control in the fourth quarter, scoring the game’s final 15 points and advancing to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Despite the Titans’ tough play and their potential for an upset, it was not enough, as they concluded the season with four losses in their last five games.

Playing at home, the Silverwolves utilized their tremendous crowd support, gutsy play-calling, and tough defense to keep the Titans scoreless in the final quarter. Offensively, the Silverwolves were led by junior running back Cade Hadley’s two touchdowns and a significant contribution from sophomore quarterback Calvin Cooper.

Defensively, Bubba Koford led a group that stopped the Titan’s final drive to close the game. The Silverwolves’ defense also recovered two Titan fumbles during the game.

Leading the Titans’ offense was sophomore quarterback Ledger Wight, whose running and timely passing allowed them to secure an early 10-0 lead. Wight was instrumental in both Titan touchdowns, one through a pass and the other a quarterback sneak into the end zone.

Defensively, the Titans held the Silverwolve’s offense in check until the fourth quarter. Seniors Hoyt Pula and Sullivyn Vedaa played an outstanding game by making tackles and pressuring the Silverwolves on each possession. Junior cornerback Kolin White contributed with the game’s only interception and played fantastic in being matched up with one of the state’s top receivers, Fremont’s Salesi Moa.

Ledger Wight

First half

Titans senior kicker Easton Choate started the scoring in the game with a 22-yard field goal at the 2:44 mark of the first quarter for a 3-0 lead. The Titans would get a deep pass completion from Wight to receiver Burke Rountree and a defensive pass interference penalty to set up the field goal.

The Titans extended their lead to 10-0 after Wight connected with running back Ryker Van Komen for a 6-yard touchdown pass. A crucial 23-yard pass completion from Wight to Cohen Godderidge set the stage for the Titans’ early dominance, controlling the game with 7:44 left in the second quarter.

The Silverwolves would look to Cooper to spark the offense, and he responded by leading an 80-yard touchdown drive that ended with him finding senior receiver Jace Hadley on a 28-yard touchdown pass. The Silverwolves would use Cooper’s strong arm and Hadley on runs to lead them down the field.

The first half would end with the Titans holding a 10-7 lead, but Cooper teaming with starting quarterback Manase Tuatagaloa showed promise of the Silverwolve’s second-half comeback.

“To have someone like Calvin Cooper is great,” Tuatagaloa said. “He’s a great player and can sling the ball. We came into the season about to run a two-quarterback system, but unfortunately, Cooper got hurt. Now that he’s back, it is great because I can also play defense, and Cooper can lead the offense.”

Zach Masters

Second half

The second half started with the Titans starting on offense and quickly moved down the field into the Silverwolve’s territory. Choate would make his second field goal, a 36-yard field goal, with 8:36 in the third quarter for a 13-7 score in favor of the Titans. Wight would set up the score with a 35-yard pass to receiver Tanner Merrill for the Titans.

The Silverwolve’s next drive would see Hadley and Owen Simkins take control of the game by breaking tackles and making first downs in the running game. Hadley would score on a decisive 13-yard run up the middle of the Titan’s defense and tie the score 13-13 to close out the third quarter. The Titans blocked the Silverwolves extra point attempt to prevent them from taking the lead.

The Titans would respond to the Silverwolves, with Wight scoring a touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. With 9:54 left in the game, the Titans regained the momentum and held a 20-13 lead. Wight’s long run down the left sidelines was the key play on the scoring drive.

The Silverwolves offense would ride the passing of Tuatagaloa on their next drive, which Simkins would cap off with a 1-yard touchdown run. Tuatagaloa would run in the two-point conversion to give the Silverwolves their first game lead, 21-20. Key plays on the scoring drive were Tuatagaloa completing passes to Slade Parker and John Suka. The drive took 3:02 and went 80 yards for the Silverwolves.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Silverwolves made the play of the game as they executed a perfect onside kick to get the ball back and retain momentum.

“The onside kick sealed the game for us,” Tuatagaloa said. “It was a great call by our special teams coordinator Eddie Graham. It was an even better kick by Cam Graves, our kicker, and a good heads-up play for Mathis Bell, who I think recovered it.”

Manase Tuatagaloa

The next drive for the Silverwolves after the onside saw Hadley sprint up the middle for a 32-yard touchdown run. The Silverwolves extended their lead to 28-20 with 4:13 left.

On the Titan’s next offensive possession, Wight broke through the Silverwolve’s defense for a long run but was stripped of the ball before he was tackled. The Silverwolves recovered the loose ball and could take time off the clock. A final drive for the Titans ended on a turnover on downs after Wight was tackled short of a first down by Koford to make the final score 28-20, Silverwolves.

Outstanding performers

The Silverwolve’s offensive line of Daxton Neerings, Cooper Allen, Ben Calvert, Cooper Tumanuvao, and Topiese Lelenoa opened running lanes for a rushing output of 138 yards and three touchdowns.

Hadley accounted for 92 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Simkins was vital in getting first downs to keep the offense on point. Suka led the Silverwolves in receiving with five catches for 74 yards.

Cooper’s ability to keep the Titan’s defense off balance and allow Tuatagaloa to play both ways was vital for the overall team’s success and win.

Koford led the Silverwolve’s defense with 14 tackles, Parker was in on nine stops, and Krew Hassell made eight. Great play in the secondary by Moa and Orion Patten helped seal the victory for the Silverwolves.

The Titans used Wight’s timely runs to set up deep passes downfield to Merrill and stayed in control for most of the game.

The Silverwolves will play next on November 8, 2024, at the Lone Peak Knights.

photos courtesy of James Tate