SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 20 — They are under way in Salt Lake City!
PREVIEW
The Orem [UT] Tigers and the Springville [UT] Red Devils continue their pursuit of Utah’s UHSAA Class 5A state title Thursday night at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Orem is in familiar territory having won nine state championships in 16 title game appearances, including a run of four straight titles from 2017-2020. Springville, meanwhile, has only won a single state title in its history, and it came 40 years ago this year in 1985. The Red Devils have five losses overall in the title game, including a 35-6 loss to the Lehi [UT] Pioneers in their most recent title game appearance in 2021.
If recent history is any indication, it could be a close game. Orem survived by a field goal in a 17-14 win in the regular season back on September 5, and the Tigers also won a close game over the Red Devils last year by a count of 38-37. The 2023 matchup went Springville’s way in a 28-21 decision, and the Red Devils also won the 2021 playoffs by a score of 27-26.
They don’t play every year, and you have to go all the way back to their meeting in 2016 to find the last game between them that ended in more than a single-score margin. Springville won that game in a 42-17 rout.
Orem enters the game at 11-2 record while Springville’s ledger stands at 12-1. Despite the better record, the Red Devils are considered slight underdogs in a game that, for all intents and purposes, is a tossup.
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|| THIRD QUARTER ||
Springville attempts an onside kick after the touchdown. It fails, but moments later, they intercept an Orem pass and take over near midfield.
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Springville suddenly comes to life, scoring on a 43-yard pass play that ends the running clock for now. But it’s still a four-score game with under four minutes to play in the third quarter.
3RD QTR — Orem 35, Springville 7
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Springville’s slim chance of mounting a rally after the half have disappeared in the first four minutes of the second half. After the onside kick, Orem adds yet another touchdown, and this one is all but over now. The running clock has started.
3RD QTR — Orem 35, Springville 0
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Orem comes out of the lockers with an aggressive decision to try an onside kick. It’s successful, and the Tigers are immediately in business.
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Orem adds to its lead on its first drive of the second half.
3RD QTR — Orem 28, Springville 0
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|| SECOND QUARTER ||
Springville just hasn’t been able to generate anything consistent on offense. And while the game is still within reach, Orem is doing enough to head to the lockers with a comfortable lead, knowing that a state title is within their grasp.
HALFTIME — Orem 21, Springville 0
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We’re halfway through the second quarter, and Springville has yet to generate anything on offense. Orem, meanwhile, has added to its lead. The Red Devils are in a deep hole against a great team, and that’s not a good combination.
2ND QTR — Orem 21, Springville 0
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|| FIRST QUARTER ||
Orem finds the end zone again, and the Tigers have pretty much controlled the proceedings in Salt Lake City so far.
1ST QTR — Orem 14, Springville 0
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Orem makes a statement on its very first play from scrimmage. Aisa Galeai takes the ball around the left end and doesn’t stop running until he reaches the end zone.
1ST QTR — Orem 7, Springville 0
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Utah’s UHSAA Class 5A state championship game is under way!
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