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SALT LAKE CITY — The Olympus High School Titans defeated the West Panthers 45-42, spoiling the homecoming night for the Panthers. The Titans move to 3-2 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 2-3.
The game was a late shootout with West taking a 35-31 lead early in the fourth quarter. But the Titans scored 14 consecutive points, extending their lead to 45-35. The Panthers would score one more touchdown in the last minute but it wasn’t enough to get the win.
Junior running back Jack Hollberg had three touchdowns for the Titans and was a focal point on the offense.
“It feels good. We got our homecoming game taken away. It feels good to give someone a taste of their own medicine.” Hollberg said.
Last weekend, the Titans fell to the Cougars of Kearns on their homecoming night, losing 35-21.
“Harrison Creer, our quarterback, is a stud. He can sling it, he sees the field really well.” Hollberg said. “We have good chemistry together, we’re good buddies off the field. Playing for each other that really helps. It just all worked out tonight.”
Creer found Hollberg through the Panther’s defense all night, he added one rushing touchdown of his own to go with four passing touchdowns.
“Our offense obviously did pretty well. Our line was awesome tonight. All props to them.” said Creer, “Just a great job of finishing the game today. That was our motto this week, finish the fourth quarter and we did that today. I’m very happy with the guys.”
The Panther’s offense was led by senior quarterback Romeo Johnston who had a groove going with fellow senior Viliami Makoni, connecting for three of Johnston’s five total passing touchdowns. Johnston found his running back senior John Abercrombie for the other two more scores.
Johnston also found Titans’ defensive back Ryder Vance who had three interceptions off the Panther’s QB.
“Defensively, even though we gave up a couple of points, there were some big time interceptions, Ryder had three picks tonight. That’s amazing, that’s worthy of some recognition right there. The kids made stops when they needed to.” said Olympus Head Coach Aaron Whitehead, “That West team played with pride and they played with class. My hat goes off to West High School.”
Cameron Latu plays defensive end and tight end for the Titans and is currently ranked as the no. 2 high school recruit from the state of Utah according to 247sports.com. He has committed to join the University of Alabama next fall. Latu’s presence was felt all over the field tonight with tipped passes at the line of scrimmage and punishing hits. “We improved a lot from last week, we worked harder, we finished every play and we turned out great,” said Latu “It’s very special for us, [West] did plan us as a homecoming game, maybe they thought it was going to be easy. I’m just happy we got the W, and onto the next, that’s all I gotta say.”
“We’re 1-0 in league play and that’s what matters.” said Whitehead, “That’s the great thing about football. You win, you lose, it matters but the next day you have some more preparation to do, we have a lot of preparation to do.”
Olympus goes on the road to take on Lehi High School (3-2) next Friday.
