Duchesne players celebrate their win against Layton Christian in the 1A football championship game on Saturday 13 November 2021 at Stewart Stadium in Ogden. (Shafkat Anowar, Desert News)
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OGDEN – The third time was really the magic Saturday for Duchesne’s football team.
After losing to Milford in consecutive championship games, the Eagles returned for a shot at the 1A title; but this time Duchesne came out with an 18-14 win over Layton Christian at Stewart Stadium.
“I don’t even know what just happened; it was so emotional back and forth,” said Duchesne coach Jerry Cowan. “It was so emotional, so many ups and downs and that’s why the game is what it is.”
The game was unpredictable to say the least.
Five touchdowns were scored with no extra point, and Duchesne’s quarterback rolled his ankle and was replaced with a backup just to play the final moments of the game while hobbling around on one foot.
Layton Christian opened the second half, handing the ball to Jessaia Giatras, who exploded for an 83-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 12:12.
On the subsequent drive to Duchesne, quarterback Parker Crum took a snapshot and ran through the middle. As he fell forward on tackle, a defender landed on his leg and he pinched his right ankle, forcing the team to replace him with Draker Goodliffe.
After taping his ankle, Crum tried to run on the sideline, but his injury was evident and he was barely able to put pressure on his leg.
But in a high-stakes championship game, the second caller did everything to get back on the field and debated for minutes with his coaches whether he should continue playing in the game.
“I said to the coach, ‘I want to win this.’ I told my grandma before she died that I would win a national championship for her, “said Crum. “Since I was six years old, it has been a dream to win a national championship. I said, ‘Coach, I’m more than ready to get in.’ “
With the game tied towards the end of the fourth quarter and Crum hobbling around the field, Duchesne had one final drive to get her over the top.
Duchesne’s Draker Goodliffe (left) receives the ball for a touchdown against Layton Christian in the 1A football championship game on Saturday 13 November 2021 at Stewart Stadium in Ogden. (Photo: Shafkat Anowar, Desert News)
With 1:33 remaining in the game, Crum linked up with Goodliffe – who took snaps below the center while his teammate was injured – for a 33-yard touchdown that was enough to lift Duchesne over Layton Christian.
“(Crum) went back in but couldn’t move. Unfortunately, our offense requires the quarterback to move a little,” Cowan said. “We brought him back into play in a few games and to be honest he played a few games for us with receiver Goodliffe. That made the difference in the game.”
Crum finished the game 8 of 16 for 117 yards and three touchdowns. Goodliffe was the recipient of two of the touchdowns, leading all recipients by 81 yards on three receptions.
The offensive duo proved to be a difficult match for Layton Christian Academy, but it was the Duchesne Defense that made big stops as their opponent tried to reverse momentum in their direction.
In the middle of the third quarter, Layton Christian Academy quarterback Zoram Petelo was chased back into his end zone and hoisted a prayer field that was picked up by Goodliffe.
Layton Christian Academy started the fourth quarter with the ball and was just outside the red zone with a chance to score. On an awards snap, Duchesne’s Ethan Park got the ball off the middle and ran back to his own 3-yard line for a 70-yard fumble return.
On Layton Christian’s last drive of the game, Cade Gines intercepted a long ball that would give Duchesne some breath with 52 seconds to go.
“We gave up the long time in the first game in the second half; they had every chance to beat us. We just bent over, we didn’t break,” said Cowan. “It’s sad to see both teams losing because both teams played their butts off.”
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