Jordan advances to playoffs

On a cold, wintry evening in October, the Jordan Beetdiggers qualified for the 5A playoffs, and they proved they deserved to be there by advancing the hard way.

The Beetdiggers defeated Brighton 35-30 in a 5A play-in game played at Hillcrest High School. It may have been the best game I have seen all season.

There were heroes on both sides of the ball. I like games like that. In reality, one play didn't win it or lose it for either team. It was a combined effort. A game both teams will remember the rest of their lives.

Despite the excitement that lasted throughout the game, it ended sadly. Jordan deserved to win. The Diggers played better than Brighton in two straight games. I don't believe they will match up well against their next opponent - top-ranked Bingham - but that doesn't matter.

Why do I feel this way? Simple. Brighton has a lot of talent, and the Bengals made a name for themselves this season with their defense. If Brighton is to win, it has to do it with defense. In this game, Jordan's defense outplayed them. Brighton cannot give up 35 points and expect to win.

As the game was winding down, Brighton QB Derek Newell appeared to score on a 16-yard run through the blowing snow. It was nullified by an illegal block penalty. I never saw the infraction. After the game, I spoke to Bingham coach Dave Peck, who was watching the game from the concourse level. He said he saw it. The block likely sprung Newell for the score. He said without the block, Newell probably would not have reached the end zone, but Brighton would be very close.

Newell threw an interception on the next play, which happens so often in sports. Jordan then ran out the clock. As the players congratulated each other, the referees had to walk (run) past the Brighton fans, and they were booed as they left the field.

If there was a sad point to this game, it was that an official's call decided the outcome. Sure, there probably was a penalty on that play. Too bad it couldn't have happened with five minutes left in the game, instead of the final minute.

Now, Brighton's season is over. The Bengals finished 6-4 and may have won the title in another region. But this is Region 4. Don't be surprised if Region 4 has at least three teams in the 5A semifinals.

Will Jordan be one of them? Hard to say, but the Diggers showed something on this night.

The game was played in cold temperatures, and it snowed frequently. Midway through the game, the Brighton Booster Club arranged for gas-powered heating units to be placed on each team's sidelines. That was a class act on their part.

Hart never took advantage of it. He was too involved in the game. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 327 yards and was in great form. He combined short passes over the middle, with occasional lobs down the sidelines that were on target.

His favorite receiver was Braden Hammond, who set a Utah state record this season for most receptions. Hammond caught all four of Hart's touchdown passes, including a 58-yarder when be broke several tackles.

Jordan's offense has earned the headlines all season, but the defense was the difference. Even with Heimuli starting at center, Jordan held its own. Plus, the Diggers made big plays. They forced a fumble that Grant Gary returned 16 yards for a touchdown. Earlier, the Diggers also blocked a punt that Bill Vavau returned that set up a score.

Brighton had its share of big plays, but all by the offense and special teams.

Stephen Robinson, who botched a punt that helped Jordan win the previous game, returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Robinson also caught a 68-yard pass from Newell for another score just before halftime.

Jace Felix, who was the team's QB for much of last season, completed a 65-yard scoring pass to Zane Smith with about five minutes left that set up the pivotal ending.

Here are a few other things I noticed:

* - Taylor Loomis. Anyone see this kid? He was No. 7 in Jordan's defense. He also punted and kicked off. Loomis played a huge role in this game that few fans may have noticed. Loomis also played at Brighton last year (as a freshman), but transferred to Jordan, which drew the ire of many Brighton players and parents. Anyway, Loomis made several big tackles, including at least two on kickoff returns that might have saved scores. He also had a nice night punting under difficult conditions.

* - Anyone notice Big Budha? Channel 13's morning show personality was on Jordan's sideline during the game. He has a son that plays on the team, he said. Before I could ask his son's name, I was shooed away. Still, it was cool to see him there. If his kid's even half his size, he's probably pretty good.

* - Brighton's exuberance. In last week's game, Brighton coach Ryan Bullet said his team didn't show enough emotion. They were better this time, but very vocal in the final quarter. That's how Brighton MUST play to win. When they do, they're very tough to beat.

* - Heimuli played in his final high-school game. It was a great season, and he will advance to play college ball somewhere. He made a huge difference on defense. Jordan still threw for over 300 yards, but their rushing yards were way down.

* - Media coverage of this game was pretty good. I roamed the sidelines on both sides of the field and saw plenty of TV cameras, and a Deseret News reporter (John Coon). Apparently, Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune was there, but I didn't see him. He's from Florida, though, and probably sat in the press box. In his game story, he wrote that the game was played in blizzard-like conditions. He needs to live here longer. It was snowy, but I only wore a light jacket. I did need two glasses of hot chocolate, though. It was very good.

Since I didn't cover this game, I didn't keep statistics. I wish I had. That would have been interesting.\

Next up? I'll be at the Fremont at Alta game Friday night. Let's hope it's a little warmer.