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SALT LAKE CITY — Revisiting a semifinal matchup from last year, in which Crimson Cliffs got the upper edge over Ridgeline, the two were paired up again Friday night.
In a highly-contested battle between the two teams, the Mustangs' McKay Wright secured a game-clinching interception on the Riverhawks' final drive to give Crimson Cliffs a 31-24 win and a return to the 4A championship game.
"It was the little things that each of us did that got us the win," Wright said.
Prior to the interception, the Mustangs attempted to add to its lead with three minutes left in the game, but the Riverhawks put up a formidable fight and sacked Crimson Cliffs quarterback Steele Barben on fourth down. But the costly turnover on the ensuing possession proved to be too much.
The game opened with both teams finding the end zone on their first drive — Ridgeline's Nate Dahle connected with Samuel Peterson for a 4-yard touchdown, and later Crimson Cliffs' McCord Christiansen found the end zone on a 7-yard run — before the Mustangs eventually switched the tide for the go-ahead score.
Less than a minute into the second quarter, Christiansen eluded defenders and covered 22 yards for his second touchdown of the night and the team's first lead of the night.
The lead was short-lived, however. Ridgeline's Trace Dustin intercepted Barben and ignited a Riverhawks offense that ended with sophomore Graham Livingston finding pay dirt to tie up the game again.
Ridgeline added to the pain with a strong defensive performance on the next series that ended with a blocked punt that was jumped on by senior Trey Purser. The Riverhawks eventually managed a 27-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead.
But Crimson Cliffs wasn't out of it just yet.
With 23 second left in the half, Barben connected on a 6-yard pass to Owen Peterson for a touchdown to retake the lead.
Ridgeline attempted to move the ball down field with little time left on the clock, but Crimson Cliffs' Brayson Phillips pulled down an interception on a Dahle pass that was tipped with nine seconds left in the half. It's all the Mustangs needed to hit a 24-yard field goal and extend their lead to 24-17 at the break.
The Mustangs added to their lead on their first drive of the second half on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Barben to Boston Adamson.
