North Sanpete football season ends with 44-20 loss to Cedar

BySanpete Messenger

By William Cheshire

North Sanpete's Trace Dalene carries the ball against Cedar during the Hawks' first-round 3A state playoff game Thursday in Mt
North Sanpete’s Trace Dalene carries the ball against Cedar during the Hawks’ first-round 3A state playoff game Thursday in Mt. Pleasant. Cedar defeated North Sanpete 44-20, ending the Hawks’ season. Photo by Kyle Parry.

MT. PLEASANT—North Sanpete’s football season came to an end Thursday as the visiting Cedar Reds defeated the Hawks 44-20 in the first round of the 3A state football playoffs.

Cedar struck early when junior quarterback Colt Kelling connected with receiver Hunter Burgess on a 93-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

Both teams scored touchdowns in the second quarter, but Kelling added a 4-yard touchdown run with less than three minutes remaining in the half, giving the Reds a 21-7 halftime lead.

Cedar continued to build its advantage in the third quarter. North Sanpete senior Trevor Mann scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, but the Reds answered to take a 34-14 lead into the final quarter.

Special teams played a major role in the fourth quarter. Burgess scored his second touchdown of the game on an 80-yard punt return, extending Cedar’s lead.

Five minutes later, Cedar kicker Cody Stevenson connected on a 36-yard field goal to add another three points.

North Sanpete senior Seth Burningham provided a fourth-quarter highlight for the Hawks, returning a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

The loss eliminated North Sanpete from the state playoffs, bringing the Hawks’ season to a close.