Red Devils win quarterfinal game versus Rams, 28-21

The Grand County High School football team had three rushers approach 100 yards each as the Red Devils pulled away from the South Sevier Rams 28-21 in the 2A quarterfinal game on Friday, Oct. 26, in Moab.

The Grand County High School (GCHS) Red Devils made statement stops early on against the Rams’ vaunted leading rusher, senior Tyson Chisholm, who entered the game leading 2A in rushing by almost 1,000 yards, meeting him in the hole and finishing tackles early with help from returning junior Brayden Troutt, who missed the last two games with an injury. Chisholm fumbled in the Rams’ opening possession of the game, and GCHS senior Jarom Shumway recovered in Ram territory, allowing the Red Devils to score first on a touchdown run from junior quarterback Bryant Troutt just over two minutes into the game, putting GCHS up 7-0.

Brayden Troutt had 11 tackles and an interception in his first action since GCHS’s 21-16 loss to Enterprise on Sept. 28.

“I’ve been waiting three weeks to get back in and help my team,” Brayden Troutt said. “We knew we were in for a fight. It was a good win for us.”

After defensive stops from each side, the Rams tied the score at 7-7 late in the first quarter on an 8-yard Chisholm run. Grand reclaimed the lead early in the second quarter on a 19-yard run from senior Corbin Arbon, who sprinted down the home sideline after turning the corner to give GCHS a 14-7 lead.

Each team had scoring opportunities, but by way of either punt, turnover or turnover on downs, was unable to capitalize until the Red Devils staked a two-touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter when senior Trent Elmore punched the ball in from a yard away for a 21-7 advantage.

The Rams responded with a touchdown on their next drive, but the extra point grazed off the outside of the goal post, leaving the score at 21-13.

On the next drive, the Red Devils converted a par of third downs and recovered one of their own fumbles on their way to reclaiming a two-score lead at 28-13 with a 4-yard Bryant Troutt run with 1:58 left to go. The Rams, however, scored a touchdown and added a two-point conversion just over a minute later after a big pass put them in scoring position. On the pass, GCHS sophomore Dante Wells appeared to force the receiver to fumble the ball, which Red Devil senior Bailey Shelton picked up. The recovery would have allowed Grand to run out the clock, but the officials called the runner down, allowing the drive to continue, ending in a Tracen Winkle touchdown run. The onside kick failed, however, and the Red Devils won 28-21.

Grand senior lineman Brody Williams said the Red Devils going up by two scores was critical.

“We were confident and fired up going into the game,” he said. “We knew we had to keep going. We knew it would be a dog fight.”

Statistically, Bryant Troutt led the Red Devils in rushing with 100 yards, while Elmore had 94 and Arbon had 93. Elmore also led Grand in tackles with 12, while junior Brayden Cloud was the third Red Devil in double digits, collecting 10 stops.

“We did our homework and didn’t overlook them,” said Dennis Wells, GCHS football coach. “We showed up ready to play.”

Wells said Grand’s ability to respond to South Sevier’s scoring was key to the game.

“When they scored, we went right down and scored again,” he said.

With the win, the Red Devils advance to the state semifinals for the second straight year (last year, GCHS lost 47-9 to South Summit). This year, Grand will play Beaver at Timpview High School in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 1: 30 p.m. The Red Devils beat Beaver 21-0 on Oct. 5, and each team is undefeated since. The Beavers advanced beating Delta 27-8 in Delta on Oct. 26.

“Beaver’s a tough team, and they’re well-coached,” Wells said. “They have a good defense, so we’ll have to work to find a way to score. Take away our third quarter the last time we played, and it’s a 0-0 tie.”

Williams and Brayden Troutt both said they’re confident they can beat the Beavers a second time.

“We’re going to prepare to go win the game next week and make it to the championship,” Troutt said.

GCHS prepare to play Beaver in semifinals

“We’re going to prepare to go win the game next week and make it to the championship.”

When: Saturday, Nov. 3, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Timpview High School,  3570 Timpview Drive, Provo

Author: Tim Chappell

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