KAMAS — Once senior quarterback Matt Rydalch dove into the end zone for his second touchdown of the afternoon, time stopped.
In the middle of the third quarter, the scoreboard at Wildcat Stadium froze: South Summit 26, Grand 0.
The crowd erupted. Players pointed at the scoreboard. Coaches clapped. The exuberance was in honor of South Summit linebacker Porter Hancock, No. 26 on the Wildcats roster, who suffered a severe neck injury on Oct. 7.
One way or another, the injured junior was with his team during South Summit’s 33-0 playoff romp over the visiting Grand Red Devils.
To honor Hancock, South Summit head coach Jerry Parker took a delay of game penalty. And to make things even more ironic, the extra point was missed, temporarily leaving the Wildcats with 26 points.
“It’s been emotional with Porter out,” Rydalch said. “It’s kind of amazing how these coincidences happen; last week winning by 26 and this week reaching 26 exactly.”
“It kind of just fell into place and we figured if it did, we were going to take care of it this way,” Parker said. “I think Porter will be happy with us.”
More important than a victory, the people of Utah have rallied around Hancock. An announcer at Wildcat Stadium said Wildcats’ athletic director Troy Coil told him that more than $60,000 had been raised in support of Hancock and his family through Wednesday. The Grand football program donated a $1,200 check before the coin toss.
It was also announced that $1,370 was collected at Thursday night’s Park City-Wasatch game in Heber City.
“This community is giving everything they got,” Parker said. “The football community has been awesome in this state. It’s been overwhelming.”
“It’s quite a reality check for each and every one of us who’s walking around.”
The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead against the Red Devils, taking a 13-0 advantage into the second quarter. Junior running back Porter Santos threw a 19-yard halfback pass to Mckay DeGering and later added a 60-yard punt return in the second half.
“A few good blocks,” he said, laughing. “I barely made it. It was good.”
Fullback Riley Rockhill added a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“I think they were more down to business this time,” Parker said of his team. “We play well at home. We have good fans and it helps. I think that really helped us. I think they actually believe, which will make things interesting down the stretch.”
A couple weeks ago, junior running back Hayden Packard, who is one of Hancock’s best friends, said he wants the team to continue to win in the hope that Hancock will be able to see a playoff game.
His teammates are on board with that optimism.
“We’re cheering for that, for sure,” Santos said. “We’ll take anything.”
Added Parker: “In order for that to happen, he’d have to come out of rehab two weeks before he’s supposed to. We’re pushing and he’s pushing. That’d be awesome if it all came together.”
Rydalch said, along with the emotion surrounding Hancock and the program, knowing he was playing his final game at Wildcat Stadium was a tough pill to swallow.
“I knew that before the game, but it didn’t really click until coach comes up to me and tells me, ‘I think you’re done because we need you for next week,” he said. “Then I walk off.”
Next week will be a quarterfinal matchup on the road against the Beaver Beavers.
“They’re going to bring it,” Parker said. “It’s going to be hard.”
Santos had a different message.
“We’re gonna bring it to them,” he said.
There’s no doubt that 26 is the most popular number in Summit County. During halftime of South Summit’s playoff win, the Wildcat fans released green balloons into the air in honor of Hancock.