Friday, August 22, 2008 (06:41 PM)
Non-league game at Millard

Hurricane High Tigers 39, Millard Eagles 6

FILLMORE - You saw the many gymnast perform remarkable acts of balance at the Olympics. The balance beam, the high flying acts of the opening and closing ceremonies, the divers twists and spins. All required practice, precision and perfection.

Sounds like the same path the Hurricane Tigers went through in executing near perfect balance in both the run and the pass in pounding Millard 39-6 in the non-region opener for both schools.

Hurricane showed toughness on both sides of the ball. After picking up a fumble on the first play of the game, Millard drove down to the Tigers one-yard line and could not break through the Hurricane defense. 

Senior running back Gordie Dotson then paid his defensive players back by breaking through the Eagle line and running 95 yards for an apparent score. The TD was called back due to a penalty, but Dotson scored a few plays later giving the Tigers a 6-0 lead.

Hurricane struck again with Zach Sorenson scoring on a 22-yard run moments later. Then QB Jase Langston found Tommy Hirschi on a 26-yard strike to open up a 19-0 lead.

Dotson rushed for 153 yards on just 12 carries. Langston was very efficient on the night, hitting on 71% of his passes for 134 yards.  Sorenson scored twice for the Tigers as Hurricane avenged a two-year drought to the Eagles.

Hurricane - Loaded.  That is the word on the street around Tiger Town in 2008. This is the year the Hurricane football team has been looking forward to come football season. With its second year of split 4A/3A schedules, Hurricane hopes to not just win the 3A division, but to dominate all comers regardless of classification.

With a majority of starters back, including all-stater Ryan Butler, Hurricane feels they are in position to go deep in the playoff picture in 2008. Senior Gordie Dotson will begin his third season at running back. Dotson compiled nearly 2000 total purpose yards in 2007 including nearly 1,300 yards rushing. Despite those numbers, he is somewhat overlooked in Region 9 with Snow Canyon’s Adam Timo driving the spotlight.

Hurricane will have QB Jase Langston back behind center. Langston started a couple of games his sophomore season and was the leader in 2007. Along with Dotson getting a large chunk of touches, junior Zach Sorenson will be another key component to the Tigers success. The speedy and athletic Sorenson will be in the slot position, getting a few carries per game and the primary threat when the Tigers throw the ball.

2008 OUTLOOK - 1st Place 3A Region 9.  Then pencil the Tigers for three wins in the post season.

Date Game Time
22-Aug (F) Hurricane at Millard 7:00 p.m.
30-Aug (S) Show Low (AZ) vs. Hurricane SUU 7:00 p.m.
5-Sep (F) Moapa Valley vs. Hurricane 7:00 p.m.
12-Sep (F) Hurricane at Virgin Valley 8:00 (UT)
19-Sep (F) Park City vs. Hurricane 7:00 p.m.
26-Sep (F) Hurricane at Pine View 7:00 p.m.
3-Oct (F) Hurricane at Snow Canyon 7:00 p.m.
9-Oct (Th) Canyon View vs. Hurricane 7:00 p.m.
15-Oct (W) Hurricane at Cedar 7:00 p.m.
24-Oct (F) Desert Hills vs. Hurricane 7:00 p.m.
31-Oct (F/S) Inter Regional Playoffs TBA
7-Nov (S) State Playoffs @ U of U TBA
13-Nov State Playoffs @ U of U TBA