dangell@journalnet.com

ARIMO - Philip Hansen didn't have time to think. All he could do was jump, grab and run.

With time running out and Marsh Valley clinging to a slim lead, Hansen snatched Salmon quarterback Riley Sessions' pass out of the hands of Savages receiver Trey Infanger, preserving the Eagles' 13-12 comeback victory on Friday at home.

"It feels great," Hansen said. "I just saw it go up and just went for it, hoping I'd be able to catch it, and made a play. It was just nerves taking over, adrenaline."

Hansen's interception was one of three against Idaho State-bound Sessions, who struggled through the first half against the Eagles' (2-0) 3-5 defense. Salmon (1-1) coach Ken Miner said that was partially his fault.

"They did a great job defensing us in the first half," he said. "I wasn't really patient in the first half. I kept trying to force the ball down the field more than I needed to. We needed to take what they were giving us."

But that wasn't much. Marsh Valley's defense kept the heat on Sessions from the opening minute, executing its defensive game plan well and doing exactly what coach Jason Taylor had hoped: containing the Savages' potent offense.

"We just game-prepped all week," said Dylan Bybee, who had two interceptions for the Eagles (2-0). "We got (Sessions) flustered a bit. He's a good quarterback, but we had some pressure and he had to scramble a little bit."

Even with that defensive play, it almost wasn't enough. The Savages (1-1) finally broke through with Sessions' second rushing touchdown, putting them ahead 12-6. Miner then made a critical decision, opting to go for two.

"We knew they had a really good kicker," Miner said. "If they were going to score, I'd rather force them to go for two. I figured their kicker would make the extra point, period."

Miner figured correctly. After Nathan Johnson finished off Marsh Valley's final drive with a diving touchdown, his second of the game, Dustin Wheatley made up for his earlier missed extra point, giving the Eagles the precious point that made the difference.

"It was awesome," Wheatley said. "There was a lot of pressure, but we pulled through. The team was with me, and I couldn't have done it without them."

Much of that offensive effort came from Johnson, who led the Eagles with 26 carries, none bigger than his final one of the night. When he stretched his arm forward for the last yard, he had no doubt that he had tied the score.

"I was trying to push and saw the line," he said. "I saw the ball over the line."

Thirty-six game seconds later, Hansen lined up in the victory formation, sealing Marsh Valley's win over the defending state champions.

"We've still got a long season ahead of us and a lot of work to still go," Bybee said. "But I think we're on the right path now."

Notes: Sessions confirmed his committment to Idaho State, but he plans to first fulfill his LDS mission before joining the Bengals.