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WASHINGTON — The Crimson Cliffs Mustangs hosted a rematch of last year's 4A championship game against the Green Canyon Wolves and, once again, came out on top.
The Mustangs' 28-25 victory propelled the school to the semifinal round next week.
The Green Canyon defense gave Crimson Cliffs a run for its money, though, especially in the first half. Neither offense was able to get much going and were each allowed just one score before the break.
But the Mustangs returned to the field firing on all cylinders and scored 21 points before the Wolves could make up much ground.
Green Canyon was just a few plays away from taking an early lead, crucial for a team that won every game in which they scored first, when Crimson Cliffs' McKay Wright secured his first interception of the game in the red zone.
"Just don't drop it," Wright said of the play. "That's kind of what's going through my head. I was blessed to have two come my way, and I was able to make the best of it."
To the visitors' relief, the Wolves defense forced a punt and earned their team another chance to strike first.
The scoring drive carried into the second quarter, and it didn't come easy. The Wolves faced a fourth down with 9 yards to go on Crimson Cliffs' 35-yard line, where quarterback Payton Wilson called his own number and scrambled through the defense for a fresh set of downs.
Inching closer to the end zone, Green Canyon committed a false start and a delay of game, hurting the Wolves' chances of getting on the board. Bryce Strickland then sacked Wilson to bring up another fourth down, and the Wolves brought in Tanner Holt for a 20-yard field goal.
After the teams traded empty drives, the Mustangs took possession at midfield. With less than 30 seconds left in the half, Ryder Sherratt found Boston Barrow in the end zone for the senior receiver's first playoff touchdown. The score made it 7-3 as the teams went to the locker rooms.
The Wolves' defense kept the same intensity it started with and forced a three-and-out to start the second half. The offense did not have the same energy and Wilson's attempt to punt was blocked, putting the Mustangs in Green Canyon territory. McCord Christiansen answered the call and heated up for Crimson Cliffs. He scored his first rushing touchdown of the night, but was just getting started.
"We knew if we could get the rock moving, we'd have an advantage," Christiansen said. "So we worked on it all week and obviously it worked out in our favor."
Now trailing 14-3, the Wolves had their work cut out for them. They marched down field and hit the red zone, where a promising scoring opportunity showed its face. But Wright stole the spotlight from Wilson once more, grabbing his second interception of the game and the eighth of his varsity career.
"I don't think there could have been a better experience here. Once (coach Wayne Alofipo) stepped in, everything changed," Wright said. "The culture, the fans, the team … it's a community and I love being a part of it."
With the start of the fourth quarter came Christiansen's second score. This time, it came on a 19-yard run that put the Mustangs up by 18.
Green Canyon still had some fight left, though. Wilson connected with Hayden Schramm for the Wolves' first touchdown, then ran it in himself for the 2-point conversion.
Down 21-11 with just over seven minutes left to play, the Wolves attempted an onside kick. The Mustangs recovered it in enemy territory again, providing Christiansen with a chance for a hat trick. He ran it in for another score, and his third three-plus touchdown game of the year.
"It came down to who wanted it more," Christiansen said. "Red Kingdom for life!"
The Wolves fought against the clock and battled their way downfield, scoring again to narrow the gap to 28-19, this time on a Wilson pass to Colby Knight, followed by another 2-point conversion. It left just 18 seconds on the clock, and the kicking team hurried out for another onside attempt.
By recovering their own kick, Green Canyon had time for one more touchdown — another Wilson-Schramm connection — but it wasn't enough to save the season.
Third seeded Crimson Cliffs will now say goodbye to the comfort of their home turf as they head to the University of Utah next week to take on the No. 7-seeded Skyview Bobcats in the 4A semifinals.
