Duchesne won 'bragging rights' in Duchesne County by defeating arch-rival Altamont Friday evening in Altamont, 19 to 6, and also garnered something more important – home field advantage for a first round 1-A playoff game vs. Monument Valley this week. Earlier in the season DHS beat Monument Valley, 56-30 in an offensive showdown. Altamont will have a playoff game at Milford (check with local schools as to date and time of games).

The Eagles scored first on Jacob Verde's 4-yard run in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead.

“Our line made good blocks all the way down the field, and we gained a few yards at a time with running backs Jacob Verde, Devin Fabrizio, Travis Potter and Macoy Young doing a good job,” said Duchesne Coach Billy Hoopes.

Altamont came back and was threatening with 50 seconds left in the half with the ball at the 1-foot line. Duchesne stopped Altamont on a fourth-down play at the goal line to take a 6-0 lead after three quarters.

“We made a great goal line stand at our 1-foot line with 50 seconds left in the first half. We got low and blew them back late in the first half,” Coach Hoopes stated.

Verde wasn't done as he scored his second TD on a 5-yard run for a 12-0 edge in the third quarter. Quarterback Shad Thomas ran two yards for the final Eagle touchdown one quarter later and busy man Verde ran in the two-point conversion for a 19-0 DHS lead.

“Thomas hit Verde on a 40-yard pass play prior to Verde's second TD score. Our line gave Thomas time to pass the ball,” Coach Hoopes stated. “It was the same deal on the way to the end zone by Thomas. It was a slugfest with a couple of yards at a time.”

Altamont finally got on the scoreboard on a 3-yard run by Zach Hatch to make the final score: Duchesne 19 and Altamont 6.

Devin Fabrizio and Travis Potter had 10 tackles for the Eagles.

“We did a good job on defense with a 19-0 lead in the fourth quarter, but there were some penalties that went against Altamont to stop some offensive gains,” Coach Hoopes stated. “Our whole defense played great.”

Duchesne finished the year with a 8-2 mark that included wins over Carbon, West Wendover, North Summit, Whitehorse, Layton Christian, Monument Valley, Monticello and Altamont. DHS' only losses were to 2-A South Summit and Rich. Altamont ended up with a 5-4 mark. They defeated Lyman, Wyo.; Uintah's JV, Monument Valley, Layton Christian and Milford.

Rich won the 1-A North Division with a 3-0 mark and DHS was second at 2-1. AHS placed third and Layton Christian fourth. Monticello beat Milford, 18-0, to take the 1-A South Division at 3-0. Milford was second at 2-1 and Monument Valley placed third. Whitehorse ended up fourth.