ST. GEORGE — Juan Diego, behind the three-headed rushing attack of Alex Hoffman, Kaden Hayward and Ryan Baker, knocked off Snow Canyon 27-24 Friday night in double overtime, with Hoffman diving into the end zone with the game-winner just before 10 p.m. at Warriors Stadium.
“That’s what we teach our kids, just keep working and fighting to the end, don’t get your dauber down” said Juan Diego coach John Colosimo. “We just always preach that with our kids. Keep playing. Keep playing. Keep playing.”
Snow Canyon looked like it was going to blow the Soaring Eagle off the field, scoring 21 straight points to start the game on two Josh Barnes short TD runs and a Jackson Nowatzke scoring strike to Jake Rhea.
But Juan Diego methodically moved up the field in the second quarter and got a 6-yard TD run from Hayward just before halftime to give the Eagle some momentum.
The second half belonged the JD, with two long drives and a huge time of possession advantage. SC’s only scoring chance was a missed field goal in the third quarter.
In the first OT, Juan Diego fumbled the ball away, but the Warriors scoring chance was snuffed by a blocked field goal.
OT number two saw SC score on a field goal by Andrew Day from 25-yards out. But Juan Diego was able to punch in the score, prompting a celebratory dogpile in the end zone.
Barnes had a huge day for Snow Canyon, rushing for 173 yards and two scores.
SC falls to 2-1 with the loss. The Soaring Eagle goes to 3-0. The Warriors host Ogden next week before beginning region play Sept. 18 at home vs. Pine View.
For more on the game, including highlights, quotes and more photographs, see the Breakdown story Saturday morning.
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