Josh Tomjack scored three touchdowns, the Discovery Canyon defense added another and the offense added a dimension not normally shown by the Thunder.

Tomjack scored twice 12 seconds apart to help Discovery Canyon pull away early in the fourth quarter and beat Fruita Monument 34-14 in an inter-classification game at District 20 Stadium.

Tomjack scored on runs of 4 and 20 yards and sandwiched a 76-touchdown reception in between Saturday.

“It’s always a nice, added benefit to be able to throw the ball instead of run against everybody, and we definitely learned that last year,” said Tomjack, who finished with 67 yards rushing and 145 yards receiving. “I think we’re going to be a lot more balanced this year.”

First-year starting quarterback Tyler McFarland was the one hooking up with Tomjack. McFarland completed his first seven passes and finished nine of 13 for 181 yards and no interceptions.

That passing game perfectly complemented the Thunder’s usual ground attack. Class 3A Discovery Canyon (1-0) rushed for 227 yards and three TDs against the 4A Wildcats (0-2).

Early in the fourth, Tomjack sprinted down the defensive seam and threw his hand in the air, calling for the ball. McFarland hit him on the run, and Tomjack outraced two defensive backs for the 76-yard score.

Twelve seconds later, following a fumble recovery, Tomjack scored on a toss to the left side. What had been a one-score game, became an insurmountable 20-point lead with 11:44 left.

“For a first game, first time this kid started at quarterback, I got to be pretty happy with that,” Discovery Canyon coach Shawn Mitchell said. “Everybody across the state is saying we’ve got to clean some stuff up, there was some sloppiness. But that being said, very happy with the way the offense performed today.”

The Thunder defense held the Wildcats to 77 yards rushing and 76 yards passing. They forced five turnovers, including three interceptions.

Caleb Grotelueschen scored the Thunder’s opening touchdown on a 15-yard scamper.

That cut the Wildcats’ lead to 7-6.

After Tomjack’s first score, the Thunder never trailed. Already up 13-6, it was a big punt that extended the lead.

Zach Kvale delivered a 65-yard punt that was downed at the Wildcats’ 1. On the next play, Thunder linebacker Jack Roy was jumping on the ball in the end zone.

“That was a really good punt, and I was just glad they could get down there (and down it) so I could get that touchdown,” Roy said. “They sent me on a blitz and I saw the ball pop loose and I just fell on it.”

A special teams’ gaffe on the ensuing kickoff saw Fruita Monument’s Kyle Fineran return the kick 93 yards to score.

But soon after Tomjack was scoring his second touchdown. And then his third.

The new dimension could mark the Thunder as an early title favorite.

“I do think we’re going to be running for the state title,” Tomjack said. “And I just would like to see our team come together and keep fighting like we did today.”