1A STATE: Pahranagat Valley paves way to perfect record, third straight title
Cody Hosier has been involved in some special performances as a Pahranagat Valley football player.
But the senior quarterback and cornerback had never seen a defensive showing like the one that carried the unbeaten Panthers to their third straight Class 1A state championship. Pahranagat held explosive Coleville scoreless until the fourth quarter en route to a 40-6 victory in the state final Saturday at Arbor View.
"I would say it's at the top," Hosier said of the Panthers' defensive showing. "Holding a team like Coleville to six points is an awesome accomplishment."
With its 34th consecutive victory, Pahranagat (12-0) won its 14th state title and captured three straight for the first time since 1986 to 1988.
"It just shows the dedication we have to this program and how much we care about keeping the tradition we have going," Panthers receiver and linebacker Kale Leavitt said.
Coleville (11-1) entered averaging 63.8 points and 412.6 yards per game. The Wolves were held to 161 yards, and their six points were the fewest scored since 2006.
Coleville receiver Emmi Sandoval entered with 53 catches for 1,258 yards and 20 touchdowns, but was limited to two catches for 29 yards Saturday. The Wolves had only 76 yards rushing.
"There were some open-field tackles you just don't see at the high school level," Pahranagat coach Ken Higbee said. "Our kids were in position the majority of the time and did a great job of defending them and controlling what they do."
Defense has been a focus for Pahranagat throughout the season.
"We pride ourselves on the defensive side," Leavitt said. "We'd rather shut out people than score 60 or 80 points." Offensively, the Panthers set the tone by opening with a 13-play, 65-yard drive that spanned 7:20 and ended with Tyler Higbee's 1-yard touchdown run.
"It just showed we could handle them up front," said Leavitt, who scored on a 6-yard run and an 18-yard pass from Hosier in the second half.
The Panthers' ground game was strong even without leading rusher Chase Hansen, who was out with a concussion.
Tyler Higbee ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and Austin Poulsen gained 51 yards on eight rushes. Hosier passed for 133 yards and two scores, finishing the season with 36 touchdown passes and one interception.
The victory cemented Pahranagat's status as one of the nation's best eight-man programs. The Panthers are ranked as the No. 4 eight-man team by MaxPreps.com.
"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work for our kids," coach Higbee said. "Now we can sit back and say, 'We've done something special."
The scariest thought for the rest of 1A is that Pahranagat will lose only three seniors: Hosier, Leavitt and lineman Jeremy Roemer.
"It's pretty sad knowing this is the last year with these guys," Hosier said, "but it's exciting to know I won three straight with them."
