By Tom Zulewski, Iron County Today
When the Cedar Reds traveled for a road game last week, it built a big halftime lead, but had to hang on to earn its first victory of the Tye Hiatt era.
On Aug. 30 in front of a big crowd at Eccles Coliseum, the Reds built off a strong first half and added on in the second to secure a rivalry win and reclaim the official pick-axe trophy.
Junior quarterback Everett Kelling had his hand in all five of Cedar’s touchdowns – four passing, one rushing – and the Reds defense forced five turnovers on the way to a convincing 33-7 victory over Canyon View to finish the pre-region schedule with a 2-1 record.
Kelling threw two of his touchdowns to Trace Oveson, the first coming on a 46-yard score two plays after Oveson intercepted a Deegan Davies pass late in the first quarter that gave the Reds the early 6-0 lead.
“Trace might be the most improved player in our program,” Hiatt said. “Trace had been a kid who played a few varsity snaps, but I don’t think anyone has worked harder.”
The Reds converted a second interception of a Davies pass and stretched the lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter after Kelling found Caleb Paule on an 8-yard touchdown. CV (1-2) got on the board when Bubba Ludlow used the sideline and returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards with 9 minutes left in the first half.
Ludlow drew plenty of praise from Hiatt for his athletic ability.
“Bubba Ludlow is a great player and he’s really dynamic with the ball in his hands,” Hiatt said. “I think Bubba’s gonna be one of the best players we see all year.”
Oveson struck again on the next Cedar drive, coming through with a one-handed catch in the end zone from 27 yards out on 4th-and-4 as the Reds took a 20-7 lead. The play completed a 71-yard drive and was Kelling’s third touchdown pass of the first half.
Facing a deficit similar to what they had against Pine View last week, the Falcons fumbled on its opening drive of the second half inside the Cedar 5-yard line. They would get the ball back with good field position after Ludlow intercepted a Kelling pass, but failed to convert on fourth down, giving the Reds the ball again.
Kelling would come through with another quick strike for a score, finding a wide-open Dylan Crowley for a 68-yard touchdown with 3:48 left in the third quarter. After another interception and a turnover on downs, Kelling finished off the Cedar scoring on a 5-yard run to the corner of the end zone halfway through the fourth quarter.
The game was slowed with an unofficial combined total of 27 penalties. Cedar held and denied the Falcons from inside the 10-yard line on the game’s final play to keep the CV offense out of the end zone.
The Reds will open Region 9 play on the road at Crimson Cliffs on Friday in a 7 p.m. kickoff. The defending 4A champion Mustangs earned its first win of the season last week, edging past Springville on the road, 34-27.
Canyon View will travel for a non-region game at Ben Lomond on Friday, also starting at 7 p.m.
CEDAR 33, CANYON VIEW 7
Cedar 6 14 6 7 – 33
Canyon View 0 7 0 0 – 7
First quarter
C – Oveson 46 pass from Kelling (kick failed), 2:52
Second quarter
C – Paule 8 pass from Kelling (Jenkins kick), 9:12
CV – Ludlow 86 kickoff return (Slack kick), 9:01
C – Oveson 27 pass from Kelling (Jenkins kick), 6:22
Third quarter
C – Crowley 68 pass from Kelling (kick failed), 3:48
Fourth quarter
C – Kelling 5 run (Jenkins kick), 6:02