WEST POINT – West Point got off to a slow start with a quick three-and-out on its first series, giving Hayden great field position at midfield. A few offside penalties later and Hayden scored, putting them ahead 7-0 over West Point.
It appeared as if this woke up the Warriors as West Point connected on a third-and-long when Raylon Moore hauled in the 20-yard pass from Rylan Jones. Shortly after, Jones nailed Cameron Bates for a 35-yard touchdown, bringing the Warriors within one point. This stood as the PAT missed, leaving the score 7-6 in favor of the visiting Hayden.
Less than a minute later, the Wildcats broke out for a long 50-yard run but the Warriors’ Anthony Woods forced a fumble, which gave new life to the Warriors after the ball was recovered by West Point. Jones completed a 30-yard screen pass to Kolton Easterwood, putting the Warriors inside Wildcat territory.
Jones got the second quarter started off right when he took a 4-yard run into the end zone, giving West Point a 12-7 lead, following another missed PAT.
Following a brief back and forth, Hayden scored on the opening play of the drive, to put the Wildcats up by one, 13-12, with 7:31 left in the game, which was the score at the half.
It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to take advantage of the third quarter as they went deep for a long 80-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 19-12. Hayden kept with the aggressive play, recovering their own onside kick, and scored on the first possession, widening the gap to 25-12.
The Warriors tried to get the offense moving but a turnover on downs gave the ball back to Hayden on their 35-yard line. The Wildcats could not be stopped, quickly taking the ball back down the field to tack on to the score, 31-12, following a missed PAT.
West Point was able to tack on a touchdown reception from Hunter Persall to narrow the gap, but ultimately the night belonged to Hayden as the Wildcats took the regional game 37-18.
West Point will face Springville next Friday at 7 p.m.
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