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LEHI – Trailing by 7 in the first game of the season, the Lehi Pioneers needed something to spark its offense against Davis.
Alas, they turned to the ball carrier for help.
And 62 yards later, off an off-tackle outside run, junior running back Devaughn Eka caught an edge and scored his first touchdown of the game. Two minutes later, Eka scored again, stood up and flexed toward his sideline, indicating his strength and power.
"That is probably the best feeling ever. The play is over and you can celebrate and all that," Eka said. "It is awesome."
With five minutes left in the second quarter, Eka barreled through three defenders and scored his third touchdown in a seven-minute span.
Eka played just three quarters against Davis, totaling over 200 all-purpose yards, with 174 yards coming on the ground in the first half alone.
The last two seasons, he's been a bit of Davis' kryptonite. Last season, he torched the Darts for 164 yards and a touchdown in the first game of the season. But the most fascinating part about Eka's story is how he is only a junior playing in his third year of varsity football for Lehi.
Eka totaled 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns for the Pioneers last season as a sophomore, and appeared in six games as a freshman. But now he is the lone running back for Lehi.
"He committed himself to the weight room. He is about 15 pounds of muscle heavier, which is awesome," Pioneers head coach Ed Larson said. "One of the turning points for him was when he went to the Elite Camp at the University of Utah and coach (Quinton) Ganther took him under his wing and opened his eyes a little bit that he could play at the next level."
First game of my junior season!! Thanks to my OL @LehiFootball. I was blessed with 208 Rushing yards 3TD. 174 Yds at half time and played less than 3 full quarters. Great games team 👏🏽.@BYUFBRecruiting@Utah_Football@MSUFBRecruiting@USUFootball@unlvfootball@BrandonHuffman… pic.twitter.com/VOe9d4yVSU
— Devaughn Eka (@Devaughn_Eka) August 18, 2024
And with how much Eka gets hit, Larson said it showcases how powerful his running back can be in the high school game, but how much they have to preserve his health, too.
"He gets lit up pretty good," Larson said. "I don't think people realize with his velocity and power that he is running with that when he makes contact with other guys, it takes a toll on him, too. We have to make sure he takes care of his body so he is ready to go each and every weekend. He has to handle a crushing pain of 20-25 carries a game."
Eka, though physically powerful, said one of the things he has learned recently is about how his mental game can be an asset, too.
"Just do what you do," he said. "No matter who you are playing — whether it is Corner Canyon, Davis, or anybody — just play the same way. You don't quit whether you are up by 50 or down by 50, just be a hard-working player.
"Whether it is football, life, or work, the longer you wait to get it done, it doesn't go away," he added. "Get it done as early as possible so it is not stuck in your mind."
Eka currently has only one collegiate offer to UNLV, but he's grateful to anyone that offers him a chance to play at the next level.
"I have been talking to some other schools over the summer and stuff like that, as well as going to camps also," he said. "I am just grateful for any offer. Whatever will give me the best opportunity to play."
Eka and the Pioneers handled Davis with a 38-14 decisive victory and will turn to face Desert Hills Friday night in St. George.
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