CEDAR CITY — It was an early start, but the Cedar Reds came ready to play.
In a Friday morning 10 a.m. semifinal game, the Reds fought to a 23-16 win and secured a spot in the 3A state championship.
The first quarter started slow, with both teams settling for a game of defense. Neither side could find the end zone, and it looked like the first quarter might end scoreless until Cedar's Cody Stevenson kicked a clean 30-yard field goal to put the Reds up 3-0 heading into the second.
After the early nerves were out of the way, Cedar started to find a rhythm. It was just three minutes into the second quarter when quarterback Everett Kelling hit Slade Parsons perfectly for a touchdown that woke up the Reds fans and stretched the lead to 10-0 at halftime.
Coming out of the break, Cedar continued with the momentum, with Kelling keeping the ball to punch in a another touchdown for the Reds, and then again minutes later. The two rushing scores gave Cedar a 23-0 lead halfway through the third quarter and appeared like it would be a cruise to the championship.
Juab's Jaden Heap sparked a fourth quarter comeback, though, and found the end zone, while adding on a 2-point conversion. Juab struck again with another touchdown and another 2-point conversion; and suddenly, it was 23-16 with the clock counting down.
That meant the Cedar's defense had to step up to hold onto their lead, which they did. The Reds forced Juab to turn the ball over and sealed the win as the clock hit zero.
PCedar's early lead and defensive determination carried them through, earning a trip to the 3A state title game, where they'll face the winner of Friday's Manti vs. Morgan matchup.
