This Saturday, get ready for a 3A semifinal grudge match at Zions Bank Stadium, because No. 5 Richfield is coming for No. 1 Morgan, and they haven’t forgotten last year’s 49-14 beatdown in the quarterfinals. This isn’t the same Wildcats team that Morgan steamrolled just a year ago, scoring 21 points in the first quarter of that game. Richfield is red hot, with a defense that’s stifling and a run game that’s flat out dominant.
Richfield’s Revenge Tour Is Officially Rolling
The Wildcats are on a mission, already avenging one tough loss this season. Remember how Grantsville came back from a 24-10 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Richfield 31-24 back on August 21? Well, last Friday, Richfield showed up for their quarterfinal rematch against the Cowboys and shut them down, winning 31-7. Colton White, man, this guy is a beast. He took an 80-yard touchdown run to the house early in the first quarter, ending the game with over 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Grantsville didn’t even score after the first quarter, that’s how locked in Richfield was.
This year’s Richfield team runs the ball as well as anyone in the state. White isn’t just a runner; he’s piled up 1,353 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 95 carries, averaging an insane 14.2 yards per carry. He’s also got three touchdown catches and a return touchdown, bringing his total to 18 scores. And it’s not just him: Trey Yardley averages 11.7 yards per carry and has 12 total touchdowns, including one on defense and one on a return. Quarterback Cordon White has been slinging it too, with 1,151 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air, plus eight rushing touchdowns. And if that wasn’t enough, Ngalu Taufatofua and Temana Vakautakakala are there to keep defenses guessing in the backfield.
But the real secret weapon for Richfield might just be their defense. It is the absolute best in 3A, only giving up 11.8 points per game and boasting four shutouts this season. Nash Spell is a nightmare for opposing O-lines with eight sacks, and Shane Pearson has three interceptions. Yardley, Ripkin Janes, and Austin Morgan have each scored a defensive touchdown, showing just how opportunistic this unit is. To pull off this upset, Richfield’s game plan is simple: run that ball, keep Morgan’s dynamic quarterback Owen Gilson on the sidelines, and win the turnover battle, especially considering Gilson has thrown 11 interceptions this year. Coach Eric Thorson, who led Richfield to a 3A title in 2023, knows what it takes to get to the championship game, and a win here would put them right back in it.
Morgan’s Explosive Offense Meets Its Toughest Test Yet
Don’t get it twisted, No. 1 Morgan is an absolute juggernaut and they’re coming into this semifinal after making their quarterfinal look like child’s play against defending 3A champion Cedar. Owen Gilson threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Rhett Larsen and ran for another score. Lawson Walker returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, and Miles Sydenham punched it in from 2 yards out, all in the first quarter! Walker even added a 29-yard interception return in the second. They led 49-0 at halftime and won by that score.
Morgan has been lights out most of the season, leading 3A in scoring with an average of 42.4 points per game. Their defense is no slouch either, ranking second only to Richfield with 12.5 points per game allowed and five shutouts. Their only two losses this year were to Ridgeline, the undefeated 4A No. 1 seed, in their opener, and a close 32-22 battle at Logan that decided the 3A North title. They’ve also racked up dominant wins against larger schools, beating 4A Sky View 47-0, 4A Park City 35-0, and 5A quarterfinalist Bountiful 37-14.
Owen Gilson has been a magician at quarterback, completing 65.3% of his passes for 2,589 yards and a staggering 39 touchdowns. He’s got two 1,000-yard receivers making plays all over the field. George Thurston is an absolute stud with 78 catches for 1,019 yards and 19 touchdowns, plus six rushing touchdowns for a ridiculous 25 total scores. Rhett Larsen is the other 1,000-yard threat, with 1,016 yards of his own. This offense is built to score, and score fast.
It’s No. 5 Richfield vs. No. 1 Morgan, 1 PM this Saturday at Zions Bank Stadium, with a spot in the 3A championship on the line. Get your popcorn ready, because this is going to be an absolute barn burner!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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