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Show I \ V V orts s A V \ EDNESDi iY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 • B1 >l Coremw what matters most o Dons take cross-county rivals, 50-24 Chad Vest STAFF W R I T E R The Dons battled the Pay son Lions last Friday night in another classic rivalry game. Payson had an extra incentive as many alumni were back in town for the traditional Onion Days weekend. But the red and gray had a better motive — to avenge last year's loss and build some momentum. Spanish Fork's offense used a balanced attack along with a swarming defense to down the Lions by the score of 50-24. "It's good to come out here and get a win," said Coach Christensen. "It was a closer game than the score indicated. We had some missed assignments that I was really frustrated with, but we're okay. Any time you can win a good rival, we'll take it any day." Payson got on the board first with several big run plays. A solid running start set up a TD toss but the extra point attempt was no good. On the ensuing kickoff, Trevor Randolph raced out to the 50-yard line on a nifty return. Breck Lewis then picked up where he left off the previous Friday as he found Naulu on consecutive pass plays, which allowed the Dons to move the chains. Spanish Fork capped off the drive when Lewis found Richard Wilson on a post pattern that went for an easy score. The Don defense came into play when they twice denied the Lions, once in the red zone and the other inside their own 20. Stellar play from the defense forced the Lions to turn the ball over both times as one stop resulted in a safety. Some excellent runs by Tyler Hamilton and Randolph were key on the next scoring drive. With 5:11 remaining in the first, Lewis found Wilson again on a short out pattern. This time, the burly tight end outran his defender and broke two tackles for an impressive score. In the second quarter, the Dons didn't let up. After a 22-yard option run by the signal caller, Lewis rolled right and hit a leaping Wilson for another big gain. Randolph then ripped off a 15-yard run of his own, setting up the next scoring play. Lewis punched it in on a quarterback sneak and gave the Dons a 23-12 halftime lead. 'rt~ The Lions began roaring back at the start of the third. Spanish Fork lost the pigskin inside the 20<fgiviri the opposition a short field to work wi Payson capitalized with a'combination runs by their QB and tailback to pull within five as the Scoreboard read 23-18. Throughout the contest the Lions went for t due to a swarming Don defense On Spanish Fork's next drivel electrified the Don faithful.^ith* the pla; designed to so left, the shifty back fooledJh boys in green by reversing field at full spee for a 40-yard gain. He later capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run giving the Dons a 29-18 lead. Spanish Fork exploded for three more scores in the fourth. Lewis connected withZac Clayton for a nice pickup before lofting a fade to his towering tight end, Jordunn Mattinson. The sophomore sensation wrestled the ball away from his defender for the score. After a one-yard TD run by Lewis, Clayton picked off Payson'; QB. Lewis found Wilson for a 70-yard strike, The big tight end benefited from a downfield block, then turned on the jets to outrace every Lion down the sideline. Top performers for the :£ Dons were Breck Lewis and Richard > : Wilson. Lewis scored „, twice on the ground and threw for an unofficial 300 yards while tossing four touchdowns. On only five receptions, „ Wilson scored three times and ^ had 200 yards receiving. * Spanish) Fork will host the Springville1 Red Devils in anothertfe south county rivalry this Friday at Service loyalty, Integrity, Courtesy photo FIELD OF DREAMS: For many a young ball-player, Cooperstown is the dream destination. The Cooperstown Dream Chad Vest STAFF W R I T E R Cooperstown Dreams Park is a national invitational youth baseball tournament for little leaguers ages 12 and under. The city of Cooperstown is located in New York. Cooperstown Dreams Park holds their annual baseball tournaments from the beginning of June until the end of August. During each week of the summer, there are 96 teams throughout the country who arrive and take part in a 96game tournament. The only pre-qualification is to form a team and apply one to two years in advance. It can be difficult to be accepted, but usually the key is submitting early and wailing your turn. If you enjoy the game of baseball, this is an experience you can't afford to miss. From the airport, families and team members normally rent a van or suburban for their way of travel. A team has the option of bringing their own certified umpire or paying $750 for one out there. Once the 11-12 year olds enter the park for the first time, an indescribable emotion takes place as they begin their week-long baseball experience. "I was in heaven," said seventh grader Mitch Kay. "The ceremonies — opening and closing — were even fun, and so was trading team pins." After all 96 teams arrive, a welcoming committee guides them on a brief tour of the park. The tour guide then leads them to their team dorm. These dorms are white buildings in the shape of a large barn. Inside are numerous bunk beds. Each player is required to bring his own sleeping bag and pillow. It's also mandatory for chaperones to be present, so coaches and fathers are seen bunking up as well. Three nutritious meals are provided daily and all of the boys1 laundry is washed inside the barracks (separate from the fields). After the teams settle in, there is an opening ceremony similar to a parade. This event kicks off the tournament on Saturday night and also closes out the tournament at See BASEBALL • B3 "We live in a clean and beautiful place, and we need to work together to keep it that way. We need to be friendly, and mindful of each other, service-oriented, and put ourselves in others' shoes." - Richard. M. Davis ichard M SuanisfflForh! lubuncil |