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Herriman Wins Two in Utah

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Herriman Wins Two in Utah

Tomasi Tonga sends the ball out for Herriman.

Utah's Herriman defeated West Jordan 48-3 on Wednesday night under the lights at the Herriman High Football Stadium, and then followed that up with a 48-21 defeat of Wasatch this weekend. 

West Jordan were Week 1 winners over Skyline (29-19) and have a massive and physical team who fielded six players over 250 pounds.  The visitors struck first for a 3-0 lead.  From that point forward it was all Herriman. Sophomore scrumhalf Noah Vaea stole a ball from the back of an opposing scrum and made a zigzagging, highlight-reel run for a 50-meter try. Following another long try from prop Jaeron Masina, set up by fellow prop Kalisi Moli, Herriman would score four more tries in less than five minutes.  

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Flyhalf Jordan Marrott set up scores to wing Brig Rush and center Sione Bloomfield in back to back phases, and blindside Alec Blonquist stole a lineout (and all the rest of the opposing throws) which was spun wide to speedy wing Kyler Burch for a quick reversal and a 95-meter score.  Colin Snow converted all three for a 31-3 lead  The onslaught was capped off by a try from Fullback Tomasi Tonga following a turnover from a suffocating defense.

Burch showed up again for perhaps the game’s signature moment.  West Jordan’s massive 6’2” 275 pound inside center, showing great pace, broke away for a big run until he met the tenacious 175 pound Burch – who proceeded to stick his feet in the ground, stop the big man’s momentum, and then drive him back 5 meters before planting him on his back, much to the delight of the raucous home crowd.  That would send the teams to halftime with a 36-3 advantage to Herriman.

Herriman’s starters would put in two more scores before giving way to the reserves:  a 40 meter sprint by 8-man Leki Fotu – set up by successive long runs by Tonga and converted by Masina – and Burch’s cap to a tremendous performance with his second score.  

With 20 minutes remaining in the half, the game was conceded by West Jordan and the final score was frozen at 48-3.  This was done with mutual agreement of both coaches in order to open up subbing and allow full reserve sides from both teams to get a good run.  The JV sides played an entertaining 30 minutes to finish out the day.  West Jordan jumped out front with two nice tries before Herriman responded with scores from senior Lucio Abalos and sophomores David Vake and Gabe Mahuinga.

Herriman fielded a very different lineup against Wasatch, resting the starters, and came out 48-21 winners.