Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — The Corner Canyon Chargers were on point in Friday night’s win over Timpview. The Chargers scored one defensive and seven offensive touchdowns in the 53-21 rout.
Timpview entered Friday’s game with a record of 3-1 while Corner Canyon entered with a perfect 3-0 record.
Junior quarterback Cole Hagen came into Friday’s matchup with 12 touchdowns in his first season as the Chargers' full-time starting quarterback.
Hagen showed off his versatility in the win, demonstrating his ability to rush, throw on the run out of the pocket and complete long passes in the pocket.
“He played really good,” said Corner Canyon head coach Eric Kjar. “I thought it was his best game so far this year, I was really happy with him.”
The first three Charger touchdowns came from their running backs. Hagen put Corner Canyon in field position for all three scores.
Corner Canyon scored on the opening drive. After a blocked Thunderbird punt, the Chargers got the ball on their own 47-yard line. Hagen threw a deep pass to get them into the red zone.
“Our line was blocking really good, we ran really good on that first drive, then we finished it off,” Hagen said.
Two drives later, Hagen connected with Noah Kjar for a 25-yard pass. A couple plays later, Hogan hit Kjar again, this time for 17 yards. The Chargers were able to run the ball in for their second touchdown of the first quarter.
Things didn’t get any better for the Thunderbirds to start the second quarter. Corner Canyon’s Caden Johnson broke free on the right side of the field to complete a 16-yard rushing touchdown. The touchdown gave Corner Canyon a commanding 21-0 lead.
Corner Canyon-Timpview was supposed to be the best game of Week 6 in 5A #UTHSFB.
— KSL SportsBeat (@kslsports) September 22, 2018
Somebody forgot to tell @CCHSFOOTBALL_ ....
Full highlights ➡️ https://t.co/b2F2vKkdEGpic.twitter.com/IZ0KCsvxyb
After Johnson's touchdown, Timpview had its first big play of the game. Clayton Koford ran for nearly 50 yards on the kick return. Even though the Thunderbirds got into the red zone on this drive, they were unable to score, dropping a pass on fourth down for a turnover on downs.
The Chargers continued where they left off when they got the ball back. Hagen threw the ball to Austin Bell, who took off down the left side of the field going past everyone to score a 72-yard touchdown pass. Corner Canyon missed the PAT, leaving the score at 27-0 with 8:54 remaining in the first half.
“That was a screen pass, I didn’t do much on that one,” Hagen said. “I just threw a nice little 3-yard pass to Austin and our line got downfield, made some good blocks and he just turned on the gas and got in there.”
On the following Thunderbird drive, Andrew McDonald intercepted a pass to give Corner Canyon possession of the ball.
Hagen showed his versatility on third and 6 at the 12-yard line. With no open receivers and no opening in sight, Hagen scrambled out of the pocket and past several Thunderbird defenders to run in for a 12-yard touchdown.
Timpview squeaked in a short touchdown pass as time expired in the first half. Nui Adolpho threw a 4-yard pass to Rowan Reay. This brought the score to 33-7 in favor of the Chargers.
Timpview narrowed the score to 33-14 on its first drive of the second half. Adolpho got the Thunderbirds to the 2-yard line with a pass up the middle to Fanga Pulu. Running back Ammon Ah Quin finished things off, running it up the gut for a 2-yard touchdown.
Timpview seemed to have stolen some of the momentum back from the Chargers, when Adolpho threw a pick-six. The Chargers’ Cade McDougal picked off the pass and ran back for the touchdown, giving Corner Canyon a 40-14 lead.
“That was big,” Kjar said. “Our defense played great, did a really good job.”
Hagen scored his first touchdown pass of the second half with 32.8 remaining in the third. Hagen floated a ball high in the air to Johny Mitchell. Mitchell managed to pull the ball in over the Thunderbird defense.
“On those ones where I’m scrambling, we got receivers coming back to the ball, getting open, and we got a lot of great catches,” Hagen said.
The Thunderbirds got their third touchdown when Adolpho threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Pulu. The touchdown cut the Chargers’ lead to 47-21.
“They got some players, number two’s (Fanga Pulu) good,” Kjar said. “Number two, their receiver, did a great job, had a lot of catches.”
The Chargers intercepted Adolpho again with seven minutes left in the game. Josh Wilson secured Adolpho’s tipped pass. Corner Canyon scored again after the interception. John Glavin ran in a 4-yard touchdown for the Chargers' 53rd point of the game.
The Chargers will be back at home to face Brighton next Friday at 7 p.m. while the Thunderbirds will be on the road next Friday against Alta.
