“Our kids are still trying to figure out how to win tough ball games against tough, physical opponents,” said Maple Mountain head coach Kalin Hall. “Our kids work and work and they continued to work and they didn’t quit.”

Hall pointed out that the success the Golden Eagles are having this year is still an ongoing process.

“We’re changing a lot of stuff,” Hall said. “We changed a lot of things, the dynamics, the culture. It’s not where we want it to be yet. I love these kids, man. A lot of kids chose not to be part of it. Those that stayed, that’ve been doing it since January. They’ve given up a lot to try to figure out how to be on the plus side of victories.”

Orem put up the first points on the scoreboard when Cole Engemann found Oliver Bills on a 9-yard scoring reception. After the successful point after by Chase Horne, the Tigers held a 7-0 lead.

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

“The offense was a little stagnant in the first half, but we had our opportunities,” Hall said.

But the Golden Eagle head coach was more than pleased with his defense and the game plan put together by his defensive coordinator Dominique Moe.

“Coach Dominique Moe and his defense played a phenomenal game and they held our opponent to seven points essentially,” said Hall.

While the first half wasn’t the sparkling overall the home faithful were hoping for, the Golden Eagles exploded in the second half with the defense creating turnovers and quarterback Banks Jackson using his legs to make plays. Also, contributing to the Golden Eagle attack was the hard running of Nic Hofheins.

Jackson finally put Maple Mountain on the scoreboard when he ran it in from 13 yards midway through the third quarter. Then with 1:39 left in the third quarter, Jackson connected with Derek Morehouse from three yards away. After Fernando Banuelos split the uprights the Golden Eagles led 14-7.

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

Maple Mountain got another stop and after a short drive Banuelos put Maple Mountain ahead two scores with a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Then in Orem’s next drive, Maple Mountain’s defense made the back-breaking play when Tiger Hakes’ pick-six of 30 yards put the Golden Eagles ahead 24-7 with 10:03 left in the final stanza.

It was the second interception for Hakes, while teammate Vili Fano added another as turnovers were a big part of Maple Mountain earning the victory.

Orem did show some fight as Engemann hit Asher Young on a 15-yard strike to pull the Tigers within ten points at 24-14.

But that’s when Jackson showed off his ability to run the ball from the quarterback position.

On a zone read, he kept the ball and burst up the seam untouched for a 69-yard score to complete the Golden Eagle scoring barrage.

“He’s dynamic with his feet,” Hall said of his quarterback.

“It’s amazing (to get this win),” said Jackson. “We had something to prove. We came out and executed. We struggled in the first half, but we put it together in the second half.”

Maple Mountain (4-3, 2-1) will now turn its attention to archrival Springville (5-2, 2-1) who it plays Friday night at 7 p.m. Jackson knows that beating the Red Devils at their place will be a tough task.

“We have to play like we did today,” said the senior signal-caller. “We have to finish our drives.”

Meanwhile, Orem (2-5, 1-2) hopes to get back in the win column as the Tigers host Cedar Valley (2-5, 0-3). The game will be played on Friday night at 7 p.m.