Reigning Champion Lehi Pioneers Start Strong With Road Win Over Davis Darts
Aug 11, 2023, 9:45 PM
(Photo courtesy of Mariluz Cook, KSL Sports)
(Photo courtesy of Mariluz Cook, KSL Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Davis Darts hosted the Lehi Pioneers to open the 2023 high school football season.
In the Game Night Live game of the week, the Darts had no answer for the Pioneers in the second half. They scored multiple long touchdowns and pulled away in front of the Davis crowd.
Both sides were dominant defensively. Davis forced numerous three-and-outs but a few lapses allowed large plays for the Pioneers. Lehi was able to smother the opposing offense and even scored a defensive touchdown.
FINAL
The Pioneers win their 20th straight in the season opener against Davis on #GameNightLive 🏈@LehiFootball 28@DavisDartsFB 14#KSLGameNight @KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
First Half
The Darts started with possession and came out with a methodical offense, making short pickups to get two quick first downs.
The defense picked up for the Pioneers from there. They made a sack and followed it with excellent coverage, forcing 4th & 12 and a punt.
The Darts defense made a statement on their first possession, sacking the quarterback for a big loss.
Despite making a lot of ground back on second down, Davis’ defense held up and forced a three-and-out.
End of Q1
LEHI 0
Davis 0@LehiGridiron@LehiAthletics@OfficialLehi pic.twitter.com/706TLhbwCk— Lehi Football (@LehiFootball) August 12, 2023
QB Tradon Bessinger made a great connection with Kash Gates for a big pick-up on third down. Lehi buckled down and forced a punt.
Fuapauna Mama continued the streak of great defense with a tackle for loss. The Darts responded with a 14-yard pass and a first down.
RELATED: KSL Sports Rewind – High School Football 2023 Preseason Top 25
With how the first half started, it was fitting that the first score of the game was on defense. Isaiah Allen scooped up a fumble by the Davis running back and took it to the house.
The extra point was missed to keep the score at 6-0 in favor of the Pioneers.
Isaiah Allen scoops up the fumble and scores to put@LehiFootball on the board first!! 🔥 #GameNightLive #KSLGameNight @KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/gj7Zfferur
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
Bessinger and Gates continued to play well for Davis. They connected on a pass among a group of Pioneer defenders to move the chains.
Tyson Baggett was the next Davis wide receiver to make a play. After Bessinger broke free from some early Lehi pressure, he let it loose and connected with Baggett to get into the red zone.
After picking up one more first down, Bessinger connected with Gates yet again for a short touchdown reception.
The Darts made the kick to take a one-point lead.
Tradon Bessinger and Kash Gates are looking like a dynamic duo for @DavisDartsFB right now 👀#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight @KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/k3zlQsOqf9
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
Lehi strip-sacked Bessinger with three minutes left but the Darts were able to jump on top of it and retain possession.
On the following possession, Lehi continued to apply pressure and forced an interception.
Fuapauna Mama’s brother, Ezaiah, was the defensive back who caught the interception.
LEHI INTERCEPTION ‼@ezaiahmama_ gets the pick to give the Pioneers another shot to score before halftime.#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/dgfLr58bza
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
Davis continued with their stifling defense and got the ball back with just under two minutes left in the half.
The Darts made it all the way down the field and nearly scored on the final play of the half.
Davis ran 48 offensive plays in the first half to Lehi’s 12. The Pioneer’s defense held strong to keep it 7-6 in the first half.
HALFTIME
Davis has a slight edge in what has been a very competitive first half. @Kash_Gates1 and Isaiah Allen were the touchdown scorers for each side 🏈@DavisDartsFB 7@LehiFootball 6#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook@SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/VMjZ4jBtIE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
Second Half
The Pioneers made the most of their first possession after the break.
Running back Devaugh Eka found the edge and ran nearly untouched for a 73-yard touchdown.
Lehi opens the second half with a BANG 💥@Devaughn_Eka breaks through the defense and goes the distance for a 73-yard touchdown.#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/WrnkR9GF3z
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
The Darts were able to get a couple of first downs but the Lehi defense ultimately held strong and forced a punt.
The Pioneers were not done making big plays.
QB Jett Niu unloaded and found his receiver down the field. Jace John made an excellent juke and went the distance for a touchdown.
Lehi is not done making big plays!@jett_niu connects with Jace John who evades the tackle and finds the end zone 👀#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook@SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/cKtd7uZJHE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
The score gave Lehi a 20-7 lead.
After forcing a stop and getting the ball back, the Pioneers found themselves in the red zone with a 4th & 10. Instead of kicking a field goal, they went for it. Eka caught a check down and made it about 8 yards before meeting a wall of Davis defenders.
Lehi and Davis traded short possessions as the third quarter came to a close.
Just before the fourth quarter, the Darts made it all the way to the goalline and QB Tradon Bessinger snuck it in to bring Davis back into striking range.
Davis answers 😳
QB @TradonBessinger keeps it and crosses the plain for a @DavisDartsFB touchdown.#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/GCmvZ4c76J
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
On the next possession, the defensive heroics continued.
After a face mask penalty put Davis on Lehi’s side of the field, defensive tackle Landon Keller-Liufau stuck his hand up and pulled down an interception from the trenches.
Big Man INT 👀@landon_k_liufau makes the one-hand snag on fourth down to give @LehiFootball possession.#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/9TBIqqNT7E
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
Lehi marched down the field and capped off the drive with an easy rushing touchdown by Devaughn Eka.
The Pioneers added a 2-point conversion to make the score 28-14.
The Pioneers make the most of the turnover 🔥@Devaughn_Eka continues his great game and walks into the end zone to give @LehiFootball a two-possession lead.#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/ax3wF6mcIk
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
The Darts needed some quick offense to have a chance for a late comeback.
After making some ground, linebacker Paul Latu put the nail in the coffin with an interception near midfield.
Defense to start it, defense to end it 🤝@latu_paul intercepts the Davis QB and gives @LehiFootball the ball back with four minutes left in regulation.#GameNightLive #KSLGameNight@KSLSportsRewind @JeremiahJensen @mariluzcook @SSylvester55 pic.twitter.com/1jMnbn3RGP
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 12, 2023
Lehi slowly made its way down the field and drained the clock.
The Pioneers extend their winning streak to 20 in the season opener against the Davis Darts.
The Game Night Live featured game for next week is the Lone Peak Knights facing off against the Timpview Thunderbirds at home on Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
