The Hive Sports

By James Tate

After two lightning delays and a rare overnight suspension, the Davis Darts returned Saturday afternoon to finish what they started, grinding out a 21–10 road win over the Farmington Phoenix. A game that tested both teams’ patience and poise, played in a playoff atmosphere.

The game was halted Friday night with just 28 seconds left in the second quarter due to lightning in the area. Davis held a slim 14–10 lead at the time, and when play resumed Saturday, the teams skipped halftime and rolled straight into the third quarter.

Davis entered Farmington with revenge on its mind after last year’s 28–20 home loss to the Phoenix. Riding a five-game win streak and sitting at No. 4 in the MaxPreps 6A classification RPI rankings, the Darts leaned on their explosive offense and a defense that tightened when it mattered most.

Quarterback Tradon Bessinger, the state’s leader in passing yards and touchdowns, delivered again, throwing for 255 yards and two scores. Junior wideout Bode Sparrow hauled in both touchdowns on highlight-reel deep balls, showcasing the chemistry that’s fueled the Darts’ rise.

The Phoenix hung tough on Friday night behind the relentless running of senior Drew Love, who carried the offense through shifting conditions. Love finished with 145 yards on 31 bruising carries and a touchdown, showcasing his grit and durability. When the lightning moved out on Saturday and passing became a challenge in the rain, Love remained Farmington’s most reliable weapon, grinding out tough yards between the tackles and on the edges.

But Davis seized momentum early in the third quarter. After recovering a Phoenix fumble deep in Farmington territory, the Darts capitalized quickly. Junior receiver Jaxton Itaaehau powered in from the one-yard line to extend the lead to 21–10. From there, the Darts’ defense clamped down, and the Darts controlled the tempo the rest of the way.

Friday night: Phoenix push Darts before lightning strikes

The Darts wasted no time setting the tone. On their opening drive, Bessinger launched a 30-yard strike to Sparrow, who sprinted under the deep ball in stride and kept both feet in bounds as he crossed the back of the end zone. The touchdown gave Davis a 7–0 lead with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter, showcasing the speed and timing that have fueled the Darts’ offensive success all season.

The Phoenix answered with an impressive 80-yard scoring drive, capped by Love’s 11-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7–7 with 5:45 left in the first quarter. The drive’s signature moment came on a creative double pass: quarterback Will Peterson passed to Kava Fiefia behind the line of scrimmage, who then threw back across the field to Peterson for a 20-yard gain. The trick play pushed Farmington deep into Davis territory, setting up Love’s physical finish and giving the home crowd a jolt of momentum.

Farmington grabbed its first lead of the night early in the second quarter, capitalizing on a well-executed drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal from senior kicker Jaxon Beynon. Peterson found senior receiver Tanner Nielsen over the middle for a key gain that pushed the Phoenix into scoring range, and Beynon’s kick gave Farmington a 10–7 advantage with 10:17 on the clock.

But the Darts didn’t flinch. On the very next possession, Bessinger and Sparrow connected again, this time on a 56-yard bomb down the middle. Sparrow ran a flawless post route and hauled in the pass in stride, racing untouched to the end zone to put the Darts back in front 14–10 with 8:48 remaining in the half.

That score came just minutes before the first lightning delay, which halted play at 6:44 in the second quarter and marked the beginning of a long, weather-impacted weekend of football.

Following the early fireworks, both defenses settled in and tightened up. Drives stalled, momentum slowed, and neither team could find the end zone for the remainder of the night. With 28 seconds left in the second quarter, a second lightning delay brought the game to a halt. Officials ultimately suspended play and rescheduled the remainder for Saturday afternoon, setting the stage for an unusual and weather-worn finish.

Saturday afternoon: No halftime, the Darts finish the job in the rain

The game resumed Saturday afternoon with Davis already deep in Farmington territory, poised to extend its 14–10 lead before halftime. But the Darts missed a 25-yard field goal attempt as the second quarter expired, and kicked off to the Phoenix to begin the third.

On the very first play of the second half, Farmington fumbled the handoff exchange in the wet conditions, and Davis safety Cooper Harsin pounced on the loose ball at the Phoenix 7-yard line. Two plays later, Itaaehau powered in from the 1-yard line, giving the Darts a 21–10 lead with 11:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Farmington’s next possession began at its own 35-yard line after a short kickoff. With the rain making even basic exchanges between center and quarterback a challenge, the Phoenix leaned heavily on the ground game. Davis responded with disciplined defense and clever field positioning, punting when necessary to force long drives and limit Farmington’s opportunities.

The Phoenix converted three of six fourth-down attempts in the game, but the Darts’ defense was dominant on third down, holding Farmington to just two conversions on eleven tries. That defensive consistency helped the Darts control the clock and preserve their lead through a gritty, rain-soaked second half.

Tradon Bessinger

The defining offensive moment of the fourth quarter came on a crucial third-down connection between Bessinger and Sparrow. With the Darts needing a conversion to keep the clock moving, Bessinger found Sparrow near the sideline for a first down that pushed the ball close to midfield and helped Davis maintain control. Sparrow would be the game’s leading receiver with eight receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, the Darts sealed the win with a final stand. Junior lineman Johnny Parker broke through for a sack in the closing seconds, and time expired on the Phoenix comeback hopes.

Linebacker Ethan Lockwood anchored the Davis defense with a game-high 18 tackles, while Dexter Frasure added 13 stops of his own. The duo’s relentless pursuit and sure tackling were key in containing Farmington’s ground-heavy attack in the rain-soaked second half.

A key factor in the Darts’ Saturday success was the steady play of its offensive line, especially in the rain-soaked conditions where ball security was paramount. Senior center Tomasi Hasson anchored the unit, executing clean exchanges with Bessinger throughout the second half. Hasson was flanked by seniors Will Smith and Will Nixon, junior Krew Plyer, and sophomore Noah Bingham, each contributing to a physical front that gave the Darts a clear edge in the trenches. Their consistency and toughness helped Davis control the tempo and protect the football when it mattered most.

Bessinger continues his ascent in the UHSAA record books, now sitting sixth all-time with 111 career touchdown passes, and with more games still ahead, the senior signal-caller has a chance to climb even higher. One of Bessinger’s most trusted targets, senior Tyson Baggett, added 31 receiving yards in the win, pushing his career total to 2,011 yards. The milestone marks another chapter in Baggett’s consistent production and chemistry with Bessinger.

photos courtesy of James Tate