WEST JORDAN — At the end of the night, only one team would end region play with a winless record.
And unfortunately for Copper Hills’ seniors, the Grizzlies ended the night with a 42-19 loss to Riverton and a five-game losing skid to closeout the season.
Riverton senior quarterback Andrew Neilson started the night off well for Silverwolves, escaping for a 53-yard score on the third play of the game to give the visiting team an early 8-point lead after the team converted the ensuing 2-point conversion.
On the ensuing drive for the Grizzlies, Noah Haroldsen got a nice kick return to set his team up in good field position.
Copper Hills quarterback Maverick Bowles took it himself, too, for about 20 yards, to set up the Grizzlies on the Riverton 6-yard line. Bowles then connected with Logan Batt in the back of the end zone to get their first points on the board.
Riverton’s Rocky Downs then returned a kickoff for a 90-yard touchdown, but the dynamic run was called back on a block in the back penalty. But two minutes later, a 2-yard rushing touchdown extended the lead to 16-7 following another successful 2-point conversion.
It only got worse for Copper Hills.
The Grizzlies recorded a turnover on downs on their next series, setting up Riverton at the Copper Hills 40-yard line. Eventually, Seth Glover caught a 30-yard pass from Nielson along the sideline for another Riverton score. This time, though, Copper Hills got a stop on the 2-point conversion just before halftime.
Riverton resumed where they left off in the second half, and finished their opening drive with an 8-yard touchdown toss from Nielson to Caleb Christian to continue the scoring en route to a 42-point night.
Unfortunately for Copper Hills, Bowles was intercepted on their first possession of the second half by Cash Galloway and was returned for a touchdown to give Riverton a 35-7 lead.
Copper Hills eventually got on the board in the second half when Bowles ran for a 21-yard rushing touchdown. But it was too little, too late for the home team.
Despite the loss, it wasn’t a complete loss for the Grizzlies. Several school records were broken on the night, including Bowles becoming the all-time leading passer for the Grizzlies.