Spanish Fork Holds on Until Very Last Play to Take Down Salem

Salem Hills and Spanish Fork have had some great games played against one another throughout the years in all sports. It is one of the more underrated rivalries this state has to offer. Like many, this game did not disappoint!

The Skyhawks took the short bus ride over to Spanish Fork High to meet the Dons, who are actually an out-of-region opponent. Salem is in the 4A classification for football, meanwhile Spanish Fork is in 5A. 

The Dons started off the game striking first when running back James Buck ran in a 1 yard touchdown that would be his first of FOUR TOUCHDOWNS! INSANE! The Dons offense was put on Buck’s back, similar to the way they were put on the back of star athlete Nixon Warren last week in a game that saw them post 62 on the scoreboard. 

Salem would tie this ball game back up when quarterback Cash Hollingshead connected with LJ McBride for a 42 yard touchdown!

Spanish Fork would then go on a run when Buck ran in his second TD of the night, followed by linebacker Tayvin Maldonado picking off Hollingshead and had an impressive return to the north end zone for 6.

Salem followed this up with a 14-0 run when Cash connected with McBride for the second time in this game for a score as well as finding Skyhawks star player Peyton Higginson wide open in the end zone. Peyton had a major impact on tonight’s game, forcing a fumble and picking up an interception in addition to this touchdown.

James Buck was great all night long, but also give credit to his teammate Kohen Frost who is extremely fast and shifty. Salem had a hard time bringing him down. These two would account for the majority of this Dons’ drive that gave them their lead back.

This truly was a back-and-forth battle as you can see. Salem would regain the lead when Cash bullied his way into the end zone. He is a big strong QB and proved to be very difficult to bring down multiple times, but it was especially shown when he absolutely trucked a Spanish Fork defender and kept piling up yards after contact.

Buck scored again, nothing to see there…. Leaving the Skyhawks down 33-28. After a few changes of possession the clock was ticking and with 36 seconds left in the game it all came down to one play. It was 4th and goal from the 5 yard line. Hollingshead delivered a ball into the end zone, but before it could get to its target the ball was batted up into the air by Carter Coffey and secured by Caleb Grant. The Dons celebrated their way off the field and took one last snap to send the Skyhawks home.

This week 2 matchup was absolute cinema! A full house at Dons Stadium with two very passionate fan bases getting after each other made for an incredible atmosphere. It did not disappoint. 

Looking ahead for Spanish Fork, the Dons get to play 2 more home games with visiting teams from each end of the state in Sky View and Desert Hills. 

Salem will also be playing Desert Hills, but then will jump into region play the following week hosting the Provo Bulldogs.