ST. GEORGE — Fans and friends gathered at Desert Hills High School to honor the Thunder football team, which captured the 3AA State Championship Friday evening with a 27-21 victory over Pine View.
Coaches and players addressed the crowd, which included [parents, students and other Desert hills football fans.
“These guys set the standard. They made history this past weekend,” head coach Carl Franke said. “They told me that they could not do it without the love and support of their family, their student body and the community. And to be honest with you, we have some of the greatest fans that anyone could ever have.”
Desert Hills went 11-2 on the year, losing regular season games to Dixie and Pine View. But the Thunder was able to avenge both of those losses in the playoffs, beating Dixie 21-14 and edging Pine View on the last play of the season, a 2-yard TD run by Landen Broadhead.
“It was the best thing ever to sit back and watch you guys perform on the field and enjoy that time together” Franke said to his team, then followed with an admonition. “You guys have film next week and weights start up real soon, so we will get back to the grind.”
Linebacker Sil Bundy was among those that addressed the crowd. Also speaking was Washington County School District Larry Bergeson, who commended the team for representing southern Utah and the WCSD in a fine manner.
Assistant coach Barry Bundy also spoke, saying the team needed to stay true to itself in order to succeed.
“We knew who we were and who we weren’t and we played to our strengths and we stayed away from our weaknesses,” he said.
The state title was the first for the DH football team, which played in the championship two years ago, taking a 21-0 loss at the hands of Hurricane. DH lost to Spanish Fork in the semifinals last season.
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DH running back Bridger Cowdin is honored Monday afternoon, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News DH cheerleaders, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Coach Carl Franke (far left) and the DH Thunder, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News DH linebacker Sil Bundy addresses the crowd, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News A clean-shaven coach Carl Franke and his team were honored Monday, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News The "final break" of the season, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Coach Carl Franke addresses his team, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Washington County School District Superintendent Larry Bergeson addresses the state champs, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News The 2013 3AA State Championship trophy, Desert Hills state championship celebration, St. George, Utah, Nov. 25, 2013 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
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