The Salem Hills-Spanish Fork prep football game Friday night delivered plenty of drama for the fans that packed both sets of bleachers between these schools that aren’t even five miles apart.

With 37 seconds remaining, Spanish Fork clung on to 33-28 lead as Salem Hills drove the ball down to the Don 5-yard line. The Skyhawks faced a fourth down and quarterback Cash Hollingshead dropped back to pass looking for a receiver going across the middle of the end zone.

But the pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage, popping up in the air. This allowed Spanish Fork’s Caleb Grant to intercept the pass and he brought it out to the 1-yard line. All this meant was that Spanish Fork needed to run one play without turning the ball over or giving up a safety, which the Dons managed to do. This sent a bevy of Spanish Fork players down to ring the victory bell as the Dons won their first game of the 2026 season and their home opener.

“I think Tayvin (Maldonado) deflected it and Caleb (Grant) picked it off,” said linebacker Lawson Shepherd.

In regards to the final defensive stand, the Don senior felt the difference was the defense returning to some elements that worked previously in the contest.

“We went back to what was working for us earlier in the game,” Shepherd said. “The bigs up front got pressure on the quarterback and the back end played great.”

The Don defense has given up some points this season, including 64 to Snow Canyon in its 64-62 triple overtime loss (allowing 42 in regulation). But at key times Friday night, Spanish Fork showed its mettle and the ability to make things happen including Maldonado scoring on a 45-yard pick-six that helped stake Spanish Fork to a 20-14 lead at halftime.

On the offensive side of the ball, James Buck was the Don star as he ran for 145 yards on 19 carries and scored four of the five Spanish Fork touchdowns including two longer scoring romps of 35 and 23 yards respectively. And freshman quarterback Hawkin Rasmussen put forward a solid effort passing for 145 yards as Kohen Frost hauled in four receptions for 83 yards.

Coming out of the second half Salem Hills had possession and took its first lead of the game 21-20 when Peyton Higginson hauled in a 14-yard pass from Hollingshead and Jack Taylor nailed the extra point.

Spanish Fork responded with Buck’s third touchdown run of the game from five yards out to push out in front again 27-21. All of this set up a final stanza with plenty of twists and turns.

Salem Hills regained the lead when Hollingshead scored on a 10-yard scamper. Nelson split the uprights for the fourth time to give the Skyhawks a 28-27 lead with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter.

Spanish Fork bounced back with Buck leading the charge. The Dons did have a critical fourth down conversion when Rasmussen was able to avoid a slack and scramble for a first down. Buck took it across the goal line for a fourth time sprinting up the middle on a 23-yard scamper with 5:58 to play in regulation to put the Dons back in front 33-28. At this point the Dons went for a two-point conversion and failed, meaning that a Skyhawk touchdown would put them out in front with no extra point needed.

The Don defense then held, forcing Salem Hills to punt. But the Dons put the pigskin on the ground and the Skyhawks’ Jaxon Grant came out of the scrum with the ball giving Salem Hills its final chance to score starting from its own 48-yard line with 3:43 left to play.

The Don defense appeared to stiffen but a pass interference call on a fourth down gave Salem Hills new life and they were able to drive it down to the 5-yard line before Spanish Fork’s defense held for good, preserving the Don victory.

Spanish Fork head coach Brock Condie knew that this game was going to be a battle that went to the very end.

“We knew what kind of team they were. They’re a great team, well coached. We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Condie said.

The Spanish Fork head coach was also proud of the resilience his team has shown, even in defeat in its opening game versus Snow Canyon and how those attributes revealed itself in the contest against Salem Hills.

“Even though we came up short (the week previous), I was just proud of how our boys never gave up,” said Condie. “They’re fighters and playing inspired, giving it their best and giving it their all.”

In defeat, Salem Hills put up a valiant effort and had some big-time performances as well.

Hollingshead was 26-for-37 for 307 yards with three touchdowns against two interceptions. He also ran for one score. Peyton Higginson shined on both sides of the ball with five catches for 58 yards including that touchdown reception of 14 yards that gave the Skyhawks a brief lead. He also secured an interception with a 40-yard return that set up a Skyhawk score in the second quarter. LJ McBride was the recipient of two touchdown passes including a 42-yarder in the opening quarter that electrified the faithful.

Spanish Fork (1-1) will host Sky View (1-1) next week while Salem Hills (1-1) will also play at home against undefeated Desert Hills (2-0).

Scoring summary

SH 7 7 7 7 -28

SF 7 13 7 6 -33

SF-James Buck 1 run (Preston Jones kick)

SH-LJ McBride 42 pass from Cash Hollingshead (Jack Nelson kick)

SF-Buck 35 run (kick failed)

SF-Tayvin Maldonado 45 interception return (Jones kick)

SH-McBride 2 pass from Hollingshead (Nelson kick)

SH-Peyton Higginson 14 pass from Hollingshead (Nelson kick)

SF-Buck 5 run (Jones kick)

SH-Hollingshead 10 run (Nelson kick)

SF-Buck 24 run (pass failed)