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SALT LAKE CITY — The reigning 4A champions Crimson Cliffs returned Rice-Eccles Stadium for the third year in a row, looking to win back-to-back state titles.
In the school's way was the Spanish Fork Dons, who were back in the state title for the first time since 2012. Spanish Fork, who has the second-highest rated recruit in the state in offensive linemen Aaron Dunn, was looking for its first state title in the schools 112 year history.
The Dons looked to be on their way to a title, with a 42-21 lead with over six minutes to go, but Crimson Cliffs scored 21 straight points in the final five minutes to send the game to overtime.
After the teams traded scores, the Mustangs came out on top in triple overtime, defeating the Dons 57-55 for the school's second consecutive 4A state title.
"It's unexplainable. It's special and this is a special group of young men," head coach Wayne Alofipo said. "All year they got better and better. The one thing they never stopped doing was believing and loving each other."
The Dons scored first in overtime, needing to stop the Mustangs to win, but it only took Crimson Cliffs two plays to tie it up. The Mustangs quickly scored again but failed to convert the 2-point conversion.
The Dons responded with a touchdown reception to Brock Jacobson, who had a solid game but failed to convert on the 2-point conversion, as well.
In the third overtime session, both teams had to go for a 2-point try from the 3-yard line, where Spanish Fork got the ball first and was stopped short. Crimson Cliffs senior running back Mccord Christiansen then took it in from 3-yards out to complete the comeback to seal the win and state title.
Crimson Cliffs outlasts Spanish Fork 57-55 in 3OT to win the @UHSAAinfo 4A title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/N1Se5rhush
— KSL.com Sports (@KSLcomSports) November 22, 2024
After both teams failed to get the scoring started on its first drive, Crimson Cliffs picked off Spanish Fork quarterback McKay Wright, and then Jaxson Holt caught a 35-yard pass to set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by McCord Christiansen to take the early lead.
Spanish Fork eventually forced a three-and-out series, and then drove the length of the field. Kayden Vest then capped off the drive with a 1-yard score to even up the game.
The Dons continued its defensive prowess, with Kal Roberts picking off the Mustangs for the first of two interceptions in the game. The Dons capitalized on the turnover with a 12-yard passing touchdown to Jacobson.
But the Mustangs responded quickly, needing just four plays to score on a 46-yard reception by Maddux Alofipo.
"We believed the whole time," Maddux said. "Through God, we were able to play through his strength and bring back this title."
Spanish Fork took control of the game for there, starting with a 96-yard drive that gave the Dons a two-score lead on a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Vest with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.
The Dons extended its lead to 21 before the Mustangs finally answered back on a 30-yard catch by Christiansen. But Vest found the end zone again on a 42-yard run to extend the lead back up to 21 with nine minutes left to play in the game.
Christiansen later threw a touchdown pass on a trick play to Boston Barrow to trim the lead back to 14 with a little under five minutes to play. And after forcing a fumble near mid field, Ryder Sherratt connected with Mason Burbidge on a 46-yard pass to make it a one-score game.
Crimson Cliffs elected to go with an onside kick that was originally recovered, but it was deemed that a Mustangs player touched the ball prior to the 10-yard zone and Spanish Fork got the ball.
But a quick three-and-out stop gave the Mustnags life with two minutes to go and a timeout. Sherratt threw his fourth touchdown pass in regulation with 10 seconds left to tie it up and to send the game into overtime.
"I would be lying to you if I said I didn't doubt," Alofipo said. "I doubted a little bit there, and I was mad at myself when it was 42-21. A bunch of the boys told me, "We can still do this," and that is the kind of love and leadership these young men have."
Sherratt finished the game with 403 passing yards and six touchdowns, three of which came in the fourth quarter. Vest ended with 183 yards on 34 carries with five rushing touchdowns, tying the state record for rushing touchdowns in a championship game.
