The Thunder Rolls at Maple Mountain
Posted By Craig on August 29, 2009
August 28, 2009 – Spanish Fork, UT was the site where the 2 first year high school’s met to play football. Both lost their first games and were eager for their first win of their inaugural season.
The momentum in this game started with the first play. Maple Mountain kicked the ball off to nearly the goal line and #22 – Brandon Aldsfedt returned the ball down the left sideline for a touchdown with key blocks from his team mates to make the score 7-0 Westlake.
The game continued to go Westlake’s way throughout, with several offensive and defensive highlights.
On Maple Mountain’s first offensive possession they were able to create 1 first down, but not much else. Westlake sacked the opposing QB for what would be the first of several in the game.
After quickly getting the ball back, the Thunder rolled with 2 consecutive run plays for gains by #21 – Semi Taeoalii. Westlake showed throughout the night that they were committed to both the run and the pass by switching it up at will, all the while using no huddle. Quarterback #5 – John Ursua showed the same intensity he brought last week, by rushing the ball for positive yardage and passing for what was to be the first of 6 offensive touchdowns on the night. His first TD pass was to Aldsfedt for 60 yards, up the left side. 14-0 Westlake.
Maple Mountain again had their shot with the ball, but Westlake forced a 3 and out, almost intercepting the ball on 1st down, causing loss of yardage on 2nd down and breaking up a pass on 3rd down. The first penalty of the night was called on Westlake for, “illegal block in the back” after the Golden Eagles punted on 4th down.
The Thunder again had their way with their next chance with the ball. 3 consecutive run plays, the third of which was to #27 Tre Ofahengaue, who was one of several bright spots in lasts weeks game. Ofahengaue ran 35 yards on an inside handoff from Ursua to give the Thunder their second offensive touchdown. The point after was wide right, off the goal post. Score: 20-0 Westlake, with 2:37 remaining in the 1st quarter of play.
The Golden Eagles pulled out a few passing plays for a first down, but the drive was halted when #99 blew threw the offensive line to sack the Maple Mountain QB for a loss of 8 yards and causing 4th down.
The 1st quarter of play came to an end after the punt and 15 yard return by the Thunder.
Westlake started from their own 35-yard line and with no hesitation, Ursua again went to the air for what would have been a very long completion to #11 Eric Gustafson, but the ball was dropped. For the first time of the night, Westlake was forced to punt.
After a 46 yard punt by the Thunder and no return, the Golden Eagles of Maple Mountain had their work cut out for them. Again they were denied any 1st down’s and were forced to punt back to Westlake.
After a gain of 2 yards on first down, Ursua bootlegged left and threw for 37 yard touchdown to Gustafson. The point after was good. 27-0 Westlake with 8:47 remaining in the 2nd quarter of play.
Maple Mountain’s troubles holding on to the ball didn’t go away. On 1st down, the Westlake defensive line caused a fumble, which was recovered by the defense.
The Thunder started with great field position at the Maple Mountain 24 yard line. Westlake mixed up the play selection and after only 5 plays made it into the end zone on a 10 yard scurry by Taeoalii making the score 34-0.
The ball was safely kicked for a touchback by #82, giving Maple Mountain possession of the ball at their own 20-yard line. Westlake again brought pressure from the edge, causing yet another first down sack and fumble of the ball. The Thunder recovered and started from the Maple Mountain 9 yard line.
On 3rd down and goal, Ursua dropped back into the pocket, looking to pass, but finding no one open, he rushed up the open middle for a 7-yard touchdown scamper. Score 41-0 Westlake, with 5:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter of play.
Maple Mountain was able to build some momentum on their ensuing possession of the ball with a 13 yard pass and a 4th down penalty on Westlake for having too many players on the field. The Golden Eagles crossed midfield for the first time of the night. Westlake was then called for a 15-yard “facemask” penalty resulting in another 1st down. Maple Mountain QB passed long down the right sideline and was seemingly intercepted, but the officials called yet another penalty on Westlake for “pass interference”, leading to a 1st down and goal on the Westlake 8 yard line. On the next play, the Westlake defense tightened and Maple Mountain’s hopes of a score were dashed when #25 – Nick Walkevich, intercepted a pass to the end zone and ran down the right sideline 45 yards.
Semi Taeoalii continued to pound the ball up the middle when it was given to him, which set up Ursua for a 36-yard dash for a touchdown. Score 48-0 Westlake with 38.8 seconds left in the 2nd quarter of play.
The half was ended on a sack of the Maple Mountain QB by #92 – Josh Martin and other defensive linemen.
The 3rd quarter started with Westlake kicking off to Maple Mountain.
The Golden Eagles of Maple Mountain continued to struggle in the 3rd quarter, not able to produce a 1st down on their first possession of the half.
Coach Jason Walker decided to make a few changes in personnel, primarily pulling QB John Ursua and RB Semi Taeoalli, giving way to Juniors #14 – Koty Johnson at QB and #30 – Braxton Tuiono at RB. After one 1st down and a 30 yard run by Tuiono, there was a bad ball exchange between Johnson and Tuiono which led to a lost fumble, giving the ball back to Maple Mountain at the 25 yard line.
Maple Mountain was again forced into a 3 and out by the Westlake defense. Their punt was returned to midfield.
An 18-yard gain on a right side sweep by Tuiono was called back on a holding penalty. Johnson completed a 14-yard pass on 3rd down, but it was not enough for the 1st down and Westlake was forced to punt. It ended in what appeared as a fake punt, but after discussing the play after the game with Coach Walker, it turned out to be just a high snap by backup long snapper, which forced the punter to handoff to Taeoalii who in turn passed incomplete up the right side, giving possession back to Maple Mountain. This ended the 3rd quarter.
With 9:00 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter and Maple Mountain driving, The Golden Eagles QB was picked off by #32 – Caiden Dortch at the Westlake 10 yard line.
Westlake was unable to get anything going on offense the next possession. They were backed up to their own 2-yard line after 2 consecutive losses in yardage. Punt was kicked low, but rolled for 30 yards.
The Thunder, trying to protect their first shutout took to the defense again. Maple Mountain completed a 20-yard pass on 3rd down, setting them up the Westlake 11 yard line. Maple Mountain got on the board with a 7-yard pass with 3:35 remaining in the game.
Maple Mountain tried an onside kick, but it went out of bounds. Time slowly elapsed until Westlake punted and took a delay of game penalty.
The game ended when #13 – Bryan Sundstrom intercepted a long pass by Maple Mountain.
I caught up with Coach Walker after the game. He was very happy with the performance his team gave and wanted them to play like that every game to reach #1. He said they worked on reducing the penalties in practice this week and it showed in their sharp reduction this week. When asked about next Friday’s game, he was unsure what to expect from Payson as he has not yet reviewed film.
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