Orem Avoids Upset With Dominating Win Over Tooele
Oct 26, 2018, 11:54 PM | Updated: Oct 29, 2018, 12:30 pm
Orem's Jaden Ah You recovers a fumble and returns for a TD against Tooele in the first round of the UHSAA football tournament in Orem, Utah.
OREM, Utah – The first stop on the road to Rice-Eccles Stadium for Orem was a match up with Tooele.
The goal is state championship or bust for the Orem Tigers. After winning their first state championship since 1994 last season, the Tigers were hungry for a chance to repeat.
Tiger’s Defense Started Strong
On the opening drive of the game, the Tigers coughed up the ball and Tooele recovered the fumble. Luckily for the Tigers, the defense carried the weight for the offense’s slow start. Tooele’s first pass play from quarterback Kulani Iongi was tipped and returned 65 yards for a touchdown by Orem’s Jake Wuergler.
The next opportunity for the Tiger’s defense was a fumble recovery returned 20-yards for a touchdown by Jaden Ah You giving Orem a quick 14-0 lead.
Orem’s Offense Found Their Rhythm
By that time, the offense had warmed up, but the defense wasn’t slowing down.
Another interception by Orem’s defense set up a scoring drive ending in a nine yard touchdown run from Trevor Rockey making the score 21-0 with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter.
By halftime, the Tigers amassed 61-points, including five touchdowns by the defense. On back-to-back drives in the second quarter, the Tigers returned two interceptions 50 yards for touchdowns from Jakob Robinson and Ethan Slade.
Orem quarterback Cooper Legas threw for two touchdowns – including an 80-yard strike to star wide receiver Puka Nacua with 2:23 remaining in the first half while adding another score with his legs. The Tiger’s defense frustrated the Tooele offense allowing only two touchdowns in the second half bringing the final score to 68-12.
Orem hosts region 12 #3 seed Mountain Crest in the Quarterfinals on Friday at 4 p.m.
