SALT LAKE CITY — The No. 16 East Leopards prevailed over the No. 17 Murray Spartans in a high-scoring first-round 4A high school football matchup on Friday.
The first two quarters were neck and neck. East got on the board first, and Murray responded. The Spartans took their first lead in the second, and then East snatched it right back before halftime.
Led by quarterback Dru Reuss and running back Asaeli Otukolo, East took sole possession of the momentum in the second half. Murray made it a one-score game late, but East held onto its lead to the final whistle, 41-34.
The East Panthers will face No. 1 Ridgeline on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
First Round Recap For 4A Utah High School Football Playoffs
No. 24 Juan Diego Soaring Eagle 14 @ No. 9 Sky View Bobcats 69
The Sky View Bobcats scored 20 or more points in each of the final three quarters as they cruised to a first-round win over the Juan Diego Soaring Eagle on Friday. Six different Bobcats players found the end zone, with Xander Stokes (3), Zachary Oxborrow (2), and Cooper Karren (2) leading the charge.
Sky View will face No. 8 Park City on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
No. 20 Dixie Flyers 14 @ No. 13 Highland Rams 42
The Highland Rams opened their first-round playoff game against the Dixie Flyers with 21 unanswered points, paving the way for a big win to advance. Two-way star William Bauman had a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown, and a pick-six in the win. Vili Ripley had two scores, one on the ground from 78 yards out and one receiving TD in the first quarter.
Highland will face No. 4 Hurricane on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
No. 19 Desert Hills Thunder 3 @ No. 14 Green Canyon Wolves 10
The Green Canyon Wolves snuck out a one-score win over the Desert Hills Thunder in an absolute first-round dogfight on Friday. There were no touchdowns and just a field goal each over the first 46 minutes of action. With just under two minutes left, Huston Paremski capped off a Green Canyon drive with an 8-yard rushing score to put the Wolves up.
Green Canyon will face No. 3 Snow Canyon on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
No. 21 Mountain View Bruins 12 @ No. 12 Salem Hills Skyhawks 35
The Salem Hills Skyhawks held the Mountain View Bruins scoreless over the first three quarters as they advanced with a win on Friday. All five of Salem Hills’ touchdowns came off the hands of quarterback Ryder Hales. Two of them went to junior WR Peyton Higginson, and the other three went to three different receivers.All of the Bruins’ points came in the fourth quarter.
Salem Hills will face No. 5 Provo on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
No. 18 Bear River Bears 14 @ No. 15 Timpanogos Timberwolves 41
The Timpanogos Timberwolves made a statement early in the playoffs, shooting out to a 31-0 lead over the Bear River Bears in the first round. From there, it was smooth sailing for the T-Wolves. Quarterback Andrew Hillstead threw three passing touchdowns, each to a different receiver, and added a fourth with his legs.
Timpanogos will face No. 2 Crimson Cliffs on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
No. 23 Uintah Utes 7 @ No. 10 Mountain Crest Mustangs 54
There was never a doubt for the Mountain Crest Mustangs as they scored 20 points in each of the first two quarters of their win over the Uintah Utes on Friday. Senior Carter Egbert had both a 34-yard rushing touchdown and an 86-yard pick-six. Fellow senior Kai Passey had a receiving score and a rushing score in the win.
Mountain Crest will face No. 7 Stansbury Stallions on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
No. 22 Tooele Buffaloes 22 @ No. 11 Skyline Eagles 53
The Skyline Eagles scored double digits in every quarter but one as they sailed to a round one win over the Tooele Buffaloes on Friday. Quarterback Xavier Cocci finsihed with five total touchdowns, three through the air and two with his legs. Tooele had one chance to swing momentum with a 60-yard bomb in the third quarter, but the Eagles quickly shut that opportunity down with a Jackson Treanor return TD.
(WINNER) will face No. 6 Pine View on Friday, October 31, in the second round.
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