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SALT LAKE CITY — In a thrilling 4A semifinal matchup under the lights of Rice-Eccles Stadium, Crimson Cliffs secured its spot in the state championship with a hard-fought 38-29 victory over Sky View Friday night.
The Mustangs (11-2) came into the game riding a 10-game winning streak and wasted no time asserting its dominance.
Quarterback Ryder Sherratt orchestrated an explosive offense, but the star duo of running back McCord Christiansen and receiver Malakai Alofipo stole the show. The tandem connected for three first-half touchdowns, including a 54-yard bomb just minutes into the game, setting the tone for Crimson Cliffs' relentless attack.
Christiansen, already a hero from last week's nail-biting win over Green Canyon, added two rushing touchdowns to his performance, including a crucial fourth-quarter score that sealed the game. Alofipo continued to shine as Sherratt's go-to target, proving nearly unstoppable with his dynamic playmaking ability.
Sky View (8-5) refused to go down quietly, though. Quarterback Jack Clark kept the Bobcats in contention with three touchdown passes, supported by running back Xander Stokes' bruising ground game and Liam Guthrie's reliable receiving.
After trailing 21-7 at the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats clawed their way back, outscoring Crimson Cliffs 9-0 in the second quarter to narrow the deficit to 21-16 at halftime.
The third quarter, however, saw the Mustangs regain momentum. Christiansen capped an early drive with a quarterback keeper, extending the lead to 28-16.
While Clark rallied the Bobcats in the fourth quarter, Sky View's efforts fell short against the Mustangs' resilient defense, led by McKay Wright and Max Griffiths.
With this victory, Crimson Cliffs is poised to defend its state title, a feat they achieved for the first time last season. They'll face fourth-seeded Spanish Fork on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. MST in what promises to be another electrifying showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
