Spanish Fork Takes Care of Business in Payson

The Payson Lions played host to the Spanish Fork Dons this past Thursday night. The Lions looked to keep it close and pull off an upset, but the Dons proved to much for Payson.

Spanish Fork Started the scoring in the first quarter with a Braxton Argyle run to take a 7-0 lead. Payson responded on the following drive with a Devon Judd touchdown pass that knotted the game at 7.

Spanish Fork's offense went on a 19-point scoring binge in the second quarter. Argyle added another score while the Dons quarterback, Jason Money, tossed in the other two touchdowns.

Trailing 26-7 at the half the Lions were kicking off to the red hot Dons and needed a break to keep things close. They got the break when the Spanish Fork return man bobbled and fumbled the kick and gave the ball deep in Don territory. Payson was able to capitalize on the short field and punched the ball in and made it a ball game at 26-14.

In the end though the Dons proved to be too much for the Lions as Money completed two more touchdown passes and Colton Olsen returned an interception for another score making the final score 45-14.

Honorable Mention for player(s) of the game: Braxton Argyle, RB, Spanish Fork

Argyle had a great game. He ran 24 times for 118 yards according to The Deseret News and ran for two scores. He kept the Lions off the field and his defense well rested. He made a strong case for player of the game, but that honor goes to another Don.

Spanish Fork's Defense

The Don defense was simply dominating. They stuffed the run all night and were in the quarterbacks face nearly every drop back. If it weren't for a fumble deep on their side on a kickoff this game would have been 45-7. They only gave up one big touchdown pass and just had their way in general.

Play of the Game: I have a hard time picking one play that had the greatest influence on the game in such a one sided affair. If I had to pick the most exciting play I would go with Olsen's pick six but the game was all but decided by that point. I will have to say the drive after Payson made the game 26-14. Spanish Fork showed it would not fall asleep and let the game go when they responded with a score of their own.

Player of the Game: Jason Money, QB, Spanish Fork

Money's passing was the Ying to Argyles running Yang. He was 11/22 for over 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. If BYU could get that kind of production out of its quarterbacks they would be unbeaten. He also had a long run for a score that was called back on a holding penalty. Really player of the game honors could have gone to any of the mentioned individuals but I will give it to the designated team leader in the QB. He played big in a big game that gets them two home games in the playoffs if they win the first game.


Highlights: So I can't get the video to load here but if you click the link you will see the video compilation I made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giZ-wY6vBx8&feature=g-all-u

Random Thoughts: I learned how to make a highlight video hopefully that makes it easier then watching a bunch of individual clips.... Payson has a fantastic special teams coach. They had two returns for touchdowns against JUAB a few weeks ago and they had a couple of long returns against the Dons as well showing me that it just wasn't bad play by JUAB.... It was interesting to watch Spanish Fork do with ease what Payson had a hard time doing a few weeks ago. Spanish Fork closed the game out and didn't let the Lions climb out of holes. Payson let JUAB back into the game three different times after being up 20 or more points a few weeks ago and barely survived the comeback attempt. That is one of the reasons Spanish Fork is a number one seed in the playoffs and Payson is not.... So I am going to follow Spanish Fork through the playoffs instead of bouncing around from week to week. This week they host the Pine View Panthers out of St. George.... Thanks for reading and please subscribe.

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Two Returns Too Much for JUAB

The Payson Lions came out with a roar on Friday night returning the opening kickoff for a score. They then intercepted JUAB and scored for the second time on a short field. It looked a route in the making when the Lions scored on this touchdown pass to go up 20-0 with less then ten minutes off the game clock.

This is when JUAB showed that it was a team of great character as it marched down the field and scored. They added a two point conversion to cut the lead to 20-8. The JUAB defense tightened up at this point but was still victimized by a long pass play that would set up the final scoring play of the first half.

Payson looked to add more points before the half but JUAB came up with an interception to keep the score 27-8 at the half.

A 19 point deficit is what faced the Wasps as they took the field in the second half. They continued to grind out tough yards on the ground when they hit pay dirt from 6 yards out.

They failed on their two point attempt, leaving the score at 27-14. That score didn't last long though because the Lions returned the ensuing Kickoff for another touchdown, recapturing a 20 point lead after the PAT.

When the 4th quarter rolled around it seemed as though Payson had the game put away 34-14 but the fireworks were just beginning.

Showing a great amount of guts and determination the Wasps drove down the field and scored on a long pass, making the score 34-20.

Payson responded with a score of its own to make it 41-20 ball game. So for the third time JUAB trailed by 20 points. There was not an ounce of quit in the Wasps though as they bullied down the field and punched it in from a yard out.

Trailing 41-27 the Wasps then recovered the onside kick and scored another touchdown and added a 2 point conversion.

Payson found itself in a dog fight, three times up by 20 points now only up 41-36. The Lions pulled it together and managed to score once again jumping ahead 47-36. The only problem is the left too much time on the clock for the never say die Wasps. (Sadly at this point the batteries in my camera had died.) JUAB pulled out all the stops and tried some trickeration. A double pass worked for another 4th quarter touchdown. They again succeeded on the two point attempt and the game was 47-44. With a little under 3 minutes remaining and all 3 timeouts JUAB kicked it deep depending on their defense to hold. It did. The Wasps got the ball with about 2 minutes left and drove into Lion territory. This is were the improbable come back was stopped when a Lions safety intercepted a pass allowing Payson to finally run out the clock. (I feel the corner back on the play got away with some serious holding, but alas my camera was dead no video proof.) Final score Payson 47, JUAB 44

Honorable mention for player of the game: The referees. I'm not saying they gave this game to one team or took from another but there were way too many flags in this game when there shouldn't have been and not enough when there should. I can recall at least 5 personal fouls called. 3 against JUAB in one drive that aided the Lions to a touchdown. And 2 against the Lions in one drive which helped the Wasps to a score. Defensive holding and illegal contact were never called against Payson and they took advantage of this through out roughing up JUAB receivers. Meanwhile JUAB offensive lineman were pretty grabby but few calls were made. This game was incredible to watch but would have been even better with a better set of refs.

Play of the Game: Either Payson kick return for a touchdown. Given how well the Wasps defense played when Payson was forced to travel the entire distance of the field and that the game was decided by 3 points; it had to be these plays. You take one of them away you could safely assume JUAB would have been able to complete the comeback when they scored 30 fourth quarter points. I would lean toward the first as I feel the Lions rode that momentum to the quick 20 point lead which they barely held on to.

Player of the game: Devan Judd, QB, Payson Lions.

The kid threw 4 touchdown passes. I don't know what else to say really. He made plays when they really needed them allowing his team to hold on for a much needed win.

Random thoughts: I know most of the kids wearing pink gear are doing it because there favorite pro does, but at least we know some of that money is going to a great cause.... I liked how much music Payson played over the loud speakers at the game, but they need a greater variety. One can only listen to Gangnam Style so many times.... Speaking of Gangnam Syle if I were Payson's coach I would ban it from games from now on. Several times his players broke out into the signature dance. I feel it lead to a loss of focus which may, or may not, have lead to a massive let down that almost cost them the game. If I were in his shoes no more dancing on the sideline no matter how many points we are winning by.... With that being said I am not the coach and it was freaking hilarious to watch these kids dance on the sideline so here are some videos for your viewing enjoyment.

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