Broncos advance to final with 40-13 win

SPORTS SHORTS Part 1
by Scott Boyle

It was a turnover tsunami the Broncos traveled on to roll over the South Sevier Rams Saturday in Cedar City at the 2A semifinals, surfing to a convincing 40-13 that wasn’t even as close as the score might indicate.  The Rams were totally decimated by the Bronco defense, which forced six turnovers, including five in a row in the second quarter, to turn the game into a rout. 

Stars for the Broncos were Jimmy Tate, Jace Holliday and Cameron Shumway. Tate picked up two turnovers – an interception leading to a Bronco touchdown and seconds later, a fumble recovery returned for another TD.

Holliday scored four touchdowns for the Broncos on runs of 18, 11 and 14 yards and a 28 yard pass from QB Shumway.

Shumway added a touchdown himself when he returned an interception 47 yards, putting the Broncos up 40-0 in the second half. 

After the struggle last week against Kanab, Bronco coach Monty Lee was glad to see his forces roll against the Rams.

It is the Broncos 17th straight victory over the Rams in a series they lead 19-3. The win puts the Broncos in the finals for the tenth time since 1989. 

Hoping for their fifth state football title, the Broncos match up with the South Summit Wildcats, whose only loss this year was a 21-17 thriller to the Broncos back in September in Blanding. 

The championship game is Saturday at Alta High School. It is the fourth meeting between the two teams, with San Juan winning all three previous games, including two epic 2A championship games. In 1998, the Broncos claimed the title 36-26 after spotting the Wildcats a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. The Bronco comeback featured a fumble-rooski touchdown.

In 2000, the Broncos captured the title after Travis Shumway, older brother of current Bronco QB Cameron Shumway, made a memorable dash down the field to catch a Wildcat from behind and stop a late touchdown. The tackle preserved a 20-14 win for San Juan. 

What will be the memorable play this year?