Sandy, Utah, September 13 (Patrika English News): After a slow start, Syracuse found its rhythm behind quarterback Ledger Wight and receiver Bracken Lessey, combining for three touchdowns to secure a 25-20 win over Alta on Friday night.
The first half was quiet until the final minutes of the second quarter. Alta struck first when Lucas Pagel powered in from five yards out, with Jack McAllister’s extra point making it 7-0. Syracuse responded immediately, as Wight connected with Lessey for their first score. Backup quarterback Holden Laker then surprised Alta by running in a two-point conversion off the PAT attempt, putting the Titans ahead 8-7 at halftime.
The third quarter was penalty-heavy, with 12 flags thrown, but Syracuse capitalized with two scores: another Wight-to-Lessey strike from 30 yards and a Skyler Orton 35-yard field goal. Alta kept it close with the highlight of the night — an 80-yard touchdown pass from Tucker Brown to Evan Morton — but missed the two-point try, leaving Syracuse up 18-13.
Wight and Lessey completed their hat trick in the fourth quarter, stretching the Titans’ lead to 25-13. Alta pulled within one score when Brown hit Trevyn Fabrizio from nine yards out, but Syracuse’s ground game, led by Wight and Ryker Van Komen, chewed up the clock and sealed the victory.
Coaches React
“We started slower than I’d like, but I really liked the way we came out in the second half,” said Syracuse coach Mitch Tulane.
Alta coach Blake Burdette blamed penalties for the loss: “We’re two touchdowns away from being 4-1, and the hard part is you’re never going to win a game with 140 yards of penalties. We beat ourselves tonight.”
What’s Next
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Alta (2-3): Opens region play at Olympus.
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Syracuse (4-1): Hosts Layton in its region opener.