Dixie State Football Players, Head Coach Discuss Recent Heroic Acts In St. George

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dixie State football players and Trailblazers head coach Paul Peterson joined KSL Sports anchor Sam Farnsworth to discuss the team’s recent heroic acts in the St. George area.

Rescue at Dixie Rock

In early August, members of the Dixie State football team helped save a woman rappelling at Dixie Rock. During a team, Trailblazer players saw the woman in trouble as she was stuck midway down the rock with her hair caught in a rappelling rope.

We had no idea that God put us here to pull a young lady to safety today. The boys where quick to react and willing to lend a hand. We coaching HEROS here at Dixie State baby!!! By the way that man with the grey shirt jumped in with no ropes to secure him. RESPECT!!!#OnTheRise pic.twitter.com/xEy9tJKVDp

— Coach Hebron (Loni) Fangupo (@LoniFangupo) August 8, 2020

A few weeks later, Dixie State players came to the rescue again.

Men of Steel

On Sunday, August 23, the St. George area received a significant amount of rain which caused some places to flood.

The flooding, caused by intense rains, shut down roads and homes were flooded, according to KSL TV. There were also reports of downed power lines, debris blocking roads, and other roads where the water was still too high to drive.

VP Beatty @DixieState addressing @DixieState_FB. Our boys lifted a flooded car where a student was trapped under water saving her life! Really proud of Kaleb Hatch ⬇️, Mo Tuileta, Kaejin Smith-Bejgrowicz and Mason Paulo. pic.twitter.com/YfAPYAet1o

— Coach Peterson (@CoachPPeterson) August 26, 2020

During the storm, members of the Dixie State football team were watching from a balcony when they saw a woman get swept under a car. They ran to her rescue and lifted the car enough to help her escape, according to Steve Johnson of Dixie State Athletics.

Dixie State players discuss the heroic acts

During the interview, Dixie State’s Kaleb Hatch told Farnsworth that it was “a true blessing that we’re able to be in the right place at the right time.”

Another Trailblazer credited Dixie State’s coaching staff for instilling attributes which help them on the field but instances where they can help others off the gridiron as well.

“He always preached about being all in, especially due to all the challenges and stuff we’re facing this season with COVID and all of that,” added Mo Tuileta. “I think, just to be all in like, things happen and it’s gonna happen quick. Nothing’s gonna slow down for you. So, you know, either you’re gonna run or you’re gonna try and make something out of it and try and do what’s best for everybody and yourself.”

 

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Trailblazers head coach Paul Peterson on his players

Second-year head coach Paul Peterson praised his players’ bravery in both instances.

“I’m extremely proud of them. You know, this situation is a little bit different than the climber but to be out and about and looking for ways to help people at this time. To know that people are getting swept away from the water and crossing the street with them, making sure they’re okay and then to have that situation where getting stuck underneath the car and not even really thinking about their own safety. Just to go right out there and be a person to save the day. A person of action. I’m extremely proud of them,” Peterson told Farnsworth. “Those those boys worked extremely hard on the football field. They do everything right that we ask them to. They were in the right place, at the right time, to be able to lend a hand. I’m glad that the student is okay and they were able to help.”

 

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Dixie State Football

On August 12, Dixie State Athletics postponed the Trailblazers’ 2020 football season until the spring of 2021 “due to the continuing developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the intercollegiate athletics landscape and the nation as a whole.”

The Trailblazers were scheduled to open the 2020 football season against Southern Utah on September 5.

2020 was slated to be the Trailblazers’ inaugural season as a member of the NCAA’s Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) after officially becoming a D-I program on July 1.