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WOODS CROSS – In a thrilling first-round playoff game, No. 11 Woods Cross mounted a comeback to defeat No. 22 Cedar Valley 35-27 Friday night.
After a scoreless first quarter, Cedar Valley ignited their offense in the second, gaining an early lead, taking full advantage of turnovers to push the Wildcats to their limit.
But Woods Cross came alive in the second half, with standout performances from Viliami Tapa'atoutai and Jesse Simmons, ultimately securing a spot in the second round of the state playoff in a matchup against Olympus.
Cedar Valley took control in the second quarter when Brayden Jakins made two field goals for an early 6-0 lead.
Shortly before halftime, quarterback Landon Johnson connected with Bridger Dastrup, who soared over Woods Cross defenders for a touchdown, pushing the Aviators' lead to 13-0. Cedar Valley's defense was sharp, picking off multiple passes from the Wildcats and frustrating their attempts to get on the board.
But Woods Cross returned from halftime with a renewed determination.
With eight minutes left in the third quarter, Tapa'atoutai broke through Cedar Valley's defense for the Wildcats' first score, narrowing the gap to 13-7.
Moments later, Tapa'atoutai struck again, putting Woods Cross in the lead. Cedar Valley fought back with a touchdown pass to Cole Christensen, and a Jakins interception returned for a score put the Aviators ahead 27-14.
Despite the setback, Woods Cross wasn't finished. Tapa'atoutai found the end zone again, cutting the score to 6 to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.
In the fourth quarter, Woods Cross' Ricky Sanchez snatched a crucial interception, setting the stage for Simmons' electrifying touchdown run down the left sideline to reclaim the lead 28-27.
With just under a minute left, Tapa'atoutai powered into the end zone once more, sealing the Wildcats' 35-27 victory.
"It was definitely a battle tonight," Simmons said. "We made a lot of mistakes, especially on offense, but that was a good win. Next week, we're coming out to fight against Olympus, playing Woods Cross football."
Tapa'atoutai, reflecting on his team's resilience, added: "I'm really proud of my line. I love all of the guys, and I'm ready for next week."
With their sights set on Olympus and a shot at the quarterfinals, the Wildcats are prepared for another battle in their quest for a state title.
