Salt Lake Tribune Article - Week 1

Mountain Crest 26, Highland 21

Interception On 2-yard Line Seals Deal

By Tracey Smith
Special to The Tribune

The No. 13 turned out to be more than lucky for the Mountain Crest Mustangs.
With 20 seconds left in the game, Highland was down five points and parked on the Mountain Crest 2-yard line when the Mustangs' No. 13, Mitch Jessop, intercepted a pass to clinch a 26-21 victory Saturday at Utah State's Romney Stadium in Logan.
Jessop admitted his play "sealed the deal," but attributed the win to "a team effort" and other plays as well. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior had five receptions and one touchdown on offense.
"The coach called it in the huddle," Jessop said of the TD play. "My heart got pumping."
The Mustangs toppled Highland despite minus-19 rushing yards. On the other hand, Mountain Crest passed for 158 yards compared with the Rams' 33. Three interceptions, especially Jessop's clincher, hurt Highland, overall.
The rushing deficit could have cost the Mustangs.
"We couldn't run the ball on them. We were outmanned," conceded Mountain Crest coach Mark Wootton, who referred to Highland as "strong and athletic."
A team like the Rams will "expose your weaknesses," Wootton said.
Jessop emerged following a back injury last year, but had an impressive offseason, attending Brigham Young's football camp.
"They play with tremendous determination and heart," Wootton said of his Mustangs.
"We spend a lot of time with these kids in the offseason. We have a bond between the coaches and the kids."

Highland 21, Mountain Crest 26 Saturday, August 23, 2008

Team W/L Record Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Highland 0-0, 0-1 7 7 0 7 21 Mountain Crest 0-0, 1-0 14 6 6 0 26