High school football: Jordan shows Hart in victory over Bengals

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Alex Hart has made his reputation by his arm, racking up a handful of stellar passing games in Jordan's recent resurgence. Friday night at Brighton, it was his legs that made the Beetdiggers' offense buzz.

Hart ran for 107 yards and a touchdown, completed 7-of-12 passes for 129 yards and another score, and the Beetdiggers cruised to a 42-24 win over the Bengals.

"We challenged our offensive line to step up, and they did," Jordan coach Alex Jacobsen said after the game.

The win moved Jordan to 3-0 in Region 2 and 5-3 overall. Though Brighton is now 1-2 (1-7 overall), Jacobsen, having earned his 50th career win, said that beating them is still no easy task.

"I turned to a couple of our kids, and pointed out that's the first time we've beaten Brighton three in a row in a long time. They're a good football program."

The Jordan defense registered seven sacks, including two by linebacker Chase Combe, and kept the Brighton option attack from ever earning consistent yardage.

Jordan got off to a blazing start, thanks to Cory Hunt's 94-yard kickoff return for a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game. Blair Townsend had a sack that helped force the Bengals to a three-and-out, which Hart capitalized on with a long drive capped by a four-yard scoring run.

After senior offensive lineman Tyler Larsen plunged into the end zone from the goal line, the Beetdiggers had three touchdowns in less than five minutes.

The Bengals didn't wilt away and give up. Spurred on by Tyler Zaelit's long kickoff return, quarterback Jace Felix connected with receiver Nate Finch for a nine-yard touchdown.

Brighton threatened to score again but was halted near midfield on an interception by Jordan's Todd Kimball, who returned the ball to the Bengals' 19. Hart found running back Ty Spillman two plays later to push the score to 28-7.

Brighton would score again on a 35-yard field goal by Anthony Meres just before halftime to make the game closer, 28-10. But Jordan emerged with more of the same in the third quarter, continuing to move the ball behind Hart's running.

Another touchdown from Larsen and a fumble recovery for a score by lineman Vyncent Jones put the score at 42-10.

Both teams had their backups playing in the fourth quarter. There was a noticeable shift in the tenor of the home crowd, as the Bengals' youngsters looked impressive in limited action.

Brighton freshman Taylor Loomis was a bright spot, moving the team down the field with his arm and legs before throwing a perfect fade to sophomore receiver Zane Smith in the corner of the end zone. Loomis then found Felix on a short throw, which Felix turned into a 15-yard dash through the Jordan defense for a touchdown.

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