Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
- American Fork defeated Lehi 21-20 in the 6A football playoffs Friday night.
- Quarterback Nate Childs overcame three interceptions to lead the Cavemen to victory.
- American Fork advances to face Skyridge Falcons in the quarterfinals next Friday.
AMERICAN FORK — American Fork flipped the script Friday night, rallying from early turnovers to upset Lehi 21-20 in the second round of the 6A state playoffs — just four weeks after the Pioneers dominated the Cavemen 26-3 in region play.
American Fork persevered throughout the game, overcoming four turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Nate Childs. The Cavemen forced a clutch turnover of their own to help steal the win after Lehi led for most of the game.
The game started out uncharacteristically as the Pioneers were hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty before the opening kickoff; however, American Fork fumbled on its opening drive, setting up an early Pioneer touchdown.
Quarterback Wyatt Bingham connected with star receiver Legend Glasker on a 22-yard strike after Devaughn Eka picked up a pair of first downs, giving Lehi a 7-0 lead.
American Fork answered quickly as Childs hit Christian Hanshaw for a 23-yard gain to set up a score. After being stopped twice at the 1-yard line, Childs punched it in on a quarterback sneak to tie the game 7-7.
Early in the second quarter, Lehi seized momentum again when Treyson Fabrizio intercepted Childs on an overthrown pass. On the very next play, Bingham found Glasker deep downfield for a 54-yard touchdown to make it 14-7.
The Cavemen refused to go away after going down a touchdown once again. Catches by Cash Taiese and David Dean helped American Fork march down the field before Childs found Hanshaw again — this time for a 5-yard touchdown to even the score.
A couple drives later Lehi's defense responded, as Colt Kelley picked off another pass from Childs, this one on a tipped pass. The Pioneers capitalized with a field goal before halftime, taking a 17-14 lead into the break.
The defenses settled in during the third quarter. American Fork forced a quick three-and-out to open the half, but turnovers continued to haunt both teams. Lehi's Brody Downs picked off Childs, but the Cavemen defense held strong, holding the Pioneers to another field goal and a 20-14 advantage heading into the fourth.
That's when American Fork and Childs delivered their defining moment. Facing 4th-and-8 on the Lehi 29-yard line, Childs connected with Dean for a clutch first down conversion. Moments later, he powered in another 1-yard sneak — his second of the night — to give the Cavemen their first lead at 21-20.
Lehi nearly stole it back when Cameron Wren returned a squib kick on the ensuing kickoff all the way to the American Fork 25-yard line. Sophomore linebacker Ty Wilson made the play of the game for the Cavemen when he intercepted Bingham after the ball deflected off Glasker's hands, giving his offense the ball back with the lead.
After a punt, American Fork's defense made one final stand, forcing a turnover on downs in the final minute of the game. After a couple runs and timeouts, Childs then took the final snap, scrambled around, and let the clock expire — sealing a statement playoff win.
"I think we started August 15, and you have to try and keep getting better the whole way through," American Fork head coach Aaron Behm said. "Lehi is much better than a 10 seed in these playoffs; and to be able to come out and play well against them, well enough to win a game, just says that these guys have continued to work and get better.
"Even last week, when we didn't have a game, I felt like we had really good practices. For you to continue playing this late in the season, that's what it's going to take."
Behm praised the Cavemen's chemistry and commitment, even from players who didn't see the field.
"We love our teammates, and we get the chance to point them out," Behm said. "You know, some of the guys they pointed out didn't even play tonight, but they were engaged on the sideline, and they know that that makes a difference to the guys on the field."
Childs, who overcame three interceptions in the win, credited his team's resilience.
"My coaches trusted me to come out and make a play," Childs said. "I'm just grateful that I was given this chance to come here and play football."
Behm said his young quarterback showed impressive poise after early mistakes.
"Nate is still a very young quarterback," Behm said. "He had some games where he didn't play a lot. He was rotating early in the year, so he's still growing. He knows that. A couple of those were tips and went up in the air, and he just did a great job of flushing it and getting back to it."
Defensively, American Fork's preparation paid off after struggling to contain Lehi's big plays in their first matchup of the season.
"First time they got us on big plays and we didn't tackle well," Behm said. "As soon as we knew that this is who we're going to play, that's exactly what we went to work on. It's taken away the big plays and being a more physical and tackling better football team."
Childs echoed his head coach's sentiment, praising the Cavemen's defense.
"We have a great defense," he said. "They take a lot of time during the week to watch film."
The Cavemen now head to the quarterfinals, but Childs said the focus remains on improvement from this game.
"I think as a team, we just need to keep the bus rolling," he said. "I really need to clean up my turnovers and just start taking better care of the ball."
Seventh seed American Fork will now face off against fellow region opponent and the second seeded Skyridge Falcons next Friday night with a chance to punch their ticket to Rice-Eccles stadium.
