High school football: Crimson Cliffs survives scare from Stansbury in matchup of 4A powers

In just five seasons, Crimson Cliffs High School has built its football team into a championship contender.

On Friday night, coach Wayne Alofipo thought he saw his squad gain the necessary experience and good fortune to keep its title hopes going.

Despite 19 new starters, the Mustangs endured a 300-mile bus ride and elevated their game in the final minutes to edge Stansbury 24-21 in a nonregion game between 4A contenders.

McCord Christiansen rushed for 130 yards and Ryder Sherratt connected with Malakai Alofipo on a pair of touchdown passes, including one with less than five minutes remaining, as third-ranked Crimson Cliffs survived and improved to 5-2 this season.

“It was a sloppy game and we were fortunate. (The Stallions) were ready for us,” said coach Alofipo. “This team is still learning how good it can be and we had players step up when we needed.”

At the same time, Stansbury coach Lee Leslie was frustrated this one got away. The Stallions (4-3) finished the final game of probably their toughest nonregion schedule in school history and last week edged Region 7 contender Park City for the first time

“Yes, it’s tough,” Leslie said. “We definitely had our chances and we’re battle-tested.”

Leslie said the Stallions needed a couple of key plays to go their way, especially in the fourth quarter, when they took a 24-21 lead and then held Christiansen just shot of the goal line on a fourth-down play.

“The kids really rose up and we had the momentum,” Leslie said.

However, Crimson Cliffs arose, too.

The Mustangs stopped two running plays and then, as Stansbury quarterback Coleman Dearden was scrambling out of the end zone, a holding penalty was called.

Crimson Cliffs was given a two-point safety and then took advantage of a rare delay of game penalty on the ensuing kickoff. The delay forced Stansbury to kick again — five yards further back — and the Mustangs took advantage of a shorter kick and longer return.

Christiansen, the Mustangs’ three-year workhorse back who has gained nearly 3,000 yards in his career, got the ball across midfield on his first attempt, then Sherratt connected with Alofipo on two straight completions.

Coach Alofipo said his offense was not in sync until really the last drive. Sherratt threw for just 123 yards, and 41 came on his final throw.

He completed 12 of 23 passes with two interceptions. Not his best effort this season but Christiansen’s steady gains helped the Mustangs maintain lengthy possessions.

Crimson Cliffs led for most of the game, and despite its inexperience, didn’t seemed pressured until late.

“I’m proud of the kids. They came through when they had to,” said coach Alofipo, whose team bombed Stansbury 62-20 last season in St. George on its way to the 4A state championship.

“We may not have had them prepped as well as we should have, and that’s on me. I’m grateful that we still won and hope we can learn from this.”

Stansbury got 57 rushing yards from Tyson Ferry. Dearden threw for 115 yards while splitting time at quarterback with Brighton Reutzel. He seemed to get better as the game progressed and his 27-yard dart to Lincoln Reutzel on a fourth-down play with 10:21 left in the game was almost enough to pull off the upset.