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SALT LAKE CITY — East High’s football team was operating with a limited offensive playbook — as few as four plays, for most scenarios — with a backup quarterback running the squad’s vaunted triple-option offense.
Any deficiencies in the offense, though, were more than remedied by the Leopards’ defense.
Amini Amone scored on a rushing touchdown in his first start at quarterback, and the Leopards pitched their second shutout in four region games to pull away from Riverton 14-0 in a key Region 3 contest Friday night.
“We can be great. This is a championship defense, for sure,” said East defensive back Nick Session, who has committed to Utah State. “We’ve got the speed, the physicality, and all of that. We’ve got it all, and can go far with this defense.
“We’re going to keep getting better and better, too.”
The defense helped the Leopards (6-3, 3-1 Region 3) overcome a stodgy offense, including three second-half fumbles that went nowhere for Riverton (6-3, 2-2 Region 3).
“The defense played great, stepped up and did a great job. I felt like we gained 500 yards of offense and just couldn’t put it in the end zone,” East coach Brandon Matich said. “We’ve got a great defense, and when we get everybody healthy on offense, we’ve got a great offense.”
With starting quarterback Izaak Zimmerman hobbled by an ankle injury, the Leopards turned to the freshman Amone and a run-heavy offense that only attempted four passes.
But perhaps the offense’s best option was a strong defense, led by Session and fellow two-way linebacker Sione Angilau, as well as a menacing defensive line.
“Nick Session is an incredible human being,” Matich said. “You get kids who are good kids and good athletes, and some who are good football players. But he is one of those guys who is elite, a good football player, a good human being, and a great athlete. He understands the game and makes plays because it’s slow for him.
“He’s the total package.”
Amone scored his first touchdown on an 11-yard run with just under 8 minutes left in the second quarter. The Leopards then added a 23-yard scoring strike to To’a Mutuliki with a minute to go in the half, lifting the Leopards (6-3, 3-1 Region 3) to a 14-0 halftime lead.
In the interim, Session nearly had two interceptions — both were dropped, much to his chagrin — including a surefire 20-yard pick-six that slid off his fingertips moments after East’s first touchdown.
The senior Aggie commit made up for it in the second half, though, in defending Riverton quarterback Jaxson Howard. Session had a pass breakup on the Silverwolves’ best drive of the third quarter, then a tackle in the open field on the next play, and added a tipped ball in the end zone to East’s shutout intact.
Good thing, too; by keeping the zero in the visitors’ column, East earned free McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches from the coaching staff. The Leopards can thank four sacks and a fumble recovery for the early-morning breakfast during film review.
“I just stay with the man, and my D-lineman did great at getting to him all game,” Session said. “We fight for that shutout all the time. It’s always a goal for us to get.”
