Hildale sees ‘Friday Night Lights’ happen for 1st time ever with loss to Grand County

ST. GEORGE — It didn’t matter to them.

The score didn’t matter to them.

This had never happened before within the religious community.

Before this, Friday Night Lights was only seen on television, watched in movies, and talked about in conversation. Some said they never thought this day would come.

Football had dominantly been flag and playing catch before.

This was new and exciting for them, and the crowd showed it.

Aaron Barlow makes a tackle for the Wildcats of Water Canyon High School for their inaugural football game in Hildale, Utah, Aug. 12, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

With seats in the stands full, the crowd cheered on their new Wildcats of Water Canyon High School as they ran through a handmade tunnel of students extending up their arms onto the grass field under the bright lights.

With several media personnel around and cameras pointed at them, they were the stars for the night.

The score didn’t matter. The era of football in the Short Creek area had begun.

That is what mattered.

Friday night, Aug. 12, the Wildcats of Water Canyon High School left their hearts on the football field, losing in their inaugural game to Grand County High School of Moab, 50-0.

“First time they ever put the pads on was five weeks ago,” WCHS head coach Heber Horsley said.

Aaron Barlow and Carter Steed step up defensively for the Wildcats of Water Canyon High School for their inaugural football game in Hildale, Utah, Aug. 12, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Horsley relayed how this community had very little sports influence in the past. He mentioned how two team members had never picked up a football before this year. In fact, most of his team only had played flag football before.

The game started a little rough, with first game jitters wreaking havoc on both teams. The Wildcats started off with two fumbles on the first two hand-offs, while the Red Devils of Grand County added one of its own on their first drive.

Both of the teams settled in, with Red Devils crossing into the end zone first with just over a minute and a half run off the clock, adding 7 points on the scoreboard with the extra point good. Off a good twenty+ yard pass, Grand County added another score to end the first quarter leading 14-0.

The second quarter brought a quick score by the team from Moab as they jumped up to 20-0. However, the extra point kick was mishandled on the snap, but still getting it down, the kicker pinged it off the crossbar. The score remained 20-0.

Life flooded into the Wildcats’ offense as a spectacular drive was put together with 3 complete passes in a row and a couple of positive rush plays, getting down to the 34-yard line of Grand County. As they found the passing game going, the drive was ended by the passing game resulting in an interception that would stop any chance to score.

Then the Red Devils kicked it into gear, going on a rampage of 20+ yard passes and rushing attacks, resulting in a score at halftime of 40-0. The Wildcats were able to keep some momentum going with a blocked extra point and pressure for a no-good extra point to prevent a bigger deficit at the half.

The stands were full and the crowd stayed energetic until the end of the inaugural WCHS football game in Hildale, Utah, Aug. 12, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

A little dejected, the Wildcats left the field, but after half the crowd raised their spirits, all on their feet, the crowd cheered them on for the second half, remaining in the stands until the last buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. The second half slowed down for both teams as Red Devils punched in one touchdown and kicked in on field goal in the third with no scores in the fourth.

Excitement rang through the air in the 4th as the Wildcats, with 5:32 left, got a drive going taking them down to opposition territory. With the ball moving, it looked like the big moment could happen with an inaugural score. Unfortunately, the defense of Grand County held the line well, forcing a turnover on downs.

“Remember this, remember tomorrow, remember the next day, and after that… all we are going to do is fight for excellency, each and every day, to be the best person of yourself,” stated one of Water Canyon’s assistant coaches in a finishing talk to the team.

Offensively, wide receivers Nick Timpson (No. 11) and Aaron Barlow (No. 24) made their presence known. Quarterback and captain Dylan Horsley (No. 4) had glimpses of a strong arm, but lacking a good “step through” as he was throwing, he found his throws were falling short or long.

Captain Collin Kelsch played a great game for the Wildcats of Water Canyon High School for their inaugural football game in Hildale, Utah, Aug. 12, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The strength of the team was on the defensive side of the field. The linebackers made a strong showing, being in backfields, tackles for losses, and putting pressure on the receivers. The “two terrors” of the backs were led by middle linebacker Colin Kelsch (No. 34) with outside linebacker Lester Barlow (No. 30). Cornerback Aaron Barlow also added some riveting moments on defense.

Grand County spread out the plays amongst their players, but their key players included their Quarterback Tatum Bisco (No. 18), a sophomore that really looked fantastic in the pocket, as well as in keeping the ball for rushing. On the defensive side, it was a dominant showing from a brother duo. Connor (No. 22) and Caden Swasey (No. 73) moved well, running right towards the ball and keeping good coverage, along with pressure on the quarterback.

“It’s one of our big goals is to make every kid that we have here in Water Canyon the same experience they would at any other high school,” Water Canyon High School Principal Steve Showalter said.

Since opening doors in 2016, Water Canyon High School has added sports teams in cross country, track and field, basketball, wrestling, tennis, volleyball, and even wheelchair sports. Most recently, last spring, they added baseball and softball. Now about 330 students have access to sports regularly.

Fans came ready to cheer for the inaugural football game of Water Canyon High School in Hildale, Utah, Aug. 12, 2022 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Water Canyon played 11-man football for their opening night; however, they will be playing the rest of the season as an 8-man team, going against five other teams which have not had an 8-man team before. They will compete in the Utah 1-A Division, which has Kanab as the dominant favorite.

It was a shutout loss by score, but to the crowd and the team, it was a glorious win.

“It means a lot, the crowd had fun. They have never experienced something like this, the lights in Hildale,” Horsley said.

Water Canyon plays El Capitan/Centennial Academy of Colorado City at home next week Friday at 7 p.m.

Grand County is scheduled to take on Carbon in Price simultaneously.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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