ST. GEORGE – There are times when a team loses to an opponent because they are a better team and there are times whena team loses a game because they just gave it away. Thursday night was a give away night for the Desert Hills Thunder (2-3 region, 5-3 overall).

The Redmen of Cedar (4-1 region, 8-1 overall) were the recipients of the Thunder’s gift. With seven seconds remaining in the game, Desert Hills led 19-18 and were a punt and tackle away from victory.

The Thunder had the ball on their own 5-yard line facing fourth and fifth. Punter Chase Webster stood in his own end zone waiting for the snap of the ball. It never got to him. The Thunder long snapper airmailed the ball over the head of Webster and out of the back of the end zone for a two-point safety. Game Over. Cedar wins 20-19.

The reason the Thunder had the ball so deep in their own territory was because of a timely interception by defensive back Bud Pope. Cedar was driving with 2:30 remaining on the clock and quarterback Carson Ludlow overshot his target right into the waiting arms of Pope. The Thunder were able to run the clock down to seven seconds but couldn’t secure the victory.

The Thunder scores came by way of a 41-yard pass from Porter Harris to Mike Needham, a 1-yard plunge from Needham and an 8-yard pass from Webster to Darian Nelson.

The Redmen scored on a 16-yard pass from Ludlow to Jon Jones, a Trevin Hansen 32-yard field goal, a Ludlow 4-yard run and the final points came on the safety.

Both teams will make the 3A playoffs, this victory will secure Cedar a first round home game while Desert Hills will be travelling for their first round match up.