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Springville running back Tevita Valeti carries the ball over the goal line against Wasatch during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Valeti scored four first-half touchdowns and the Red Devils took a 35-17 lead at halftime.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Wasatch receiver Carter Bucad (3) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammate Jo Jo Hyer during a high school football game against Springville on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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The Springville student section reacts to a play during a high school football game against Wasatch on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Springville running back Tevita Valeti (28) crosses the goal line in a high school football game against Wasatch on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Springville running back Tevita Valeti (28) eludes a Wasatch defender during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Springville quarterback Ryder Burton (5) leads his team onto the field before a high school football game against Wasatch on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Springville's Tevita Valeti carries a Wasatch defender into the end zone during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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Springville’s Tevita Valeti ran for five touchdowns and Wasatch quarterback Mack Kelson threw four touchdown passes, but it was a defensive lineman that made the best play of the night.

Red Devils senior Tyson Naufahu’s theft of the ball from Wasps running back Chris Cook kept the visitors out of the end zone with 2:45 to play to help preserve a wild 48-40 victory on homecoming Friday night in Springville.

“It means a lot because this is our first win for homecoming since I’ve been here,” said Valeti, who broke the 1,000-yard barrier in last week’s win against Provo and is averaging 175 yards rushing per game. “I saw big holes, like, truck-sized holes tonight, better than anything I’ve seen all year. I love my offensive line.”

The Springville student section chanted, “You can’t stop him!” and they were right. Valeti ran wild, totaling more than 250 yards on the ground and scored four touchdowns as the Red Devils took a 35-17 lead at halftime.

Ryder Burton’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Luke Nadauld pushed the Springville advantage to 41-17 late in the third quarter and it looked as if the home team had the game wrapped up.

Instead, Kelson heated up and started throwing strikes to Crew Erickson, Carter Bucad and Jo Jo Hyer in the Wasps no-huddle offense, which had scored 118 points in the previous two games.

“We know they’re known for going very up tempo and they have a gunslinger at quarterback,” Springville coach Dave Valeti said. “They’ve got some playmakers, they always do. I thought they played a great game.”

An 18-yard scoring reception and the 2-point conversion by Erickson cut the deficit to 41-25. Jackson Stone recovered a Springville fumble a few minutes later and Wasatch found the end zone again on a 2-yard Cook run. Kelson’s quarterback draw converted the 2-point try and the Wasps were within eight, 41-33, with 9:19 to play.

The Red Devils recovered an onside kick attempt and took advantage of the short field, eventually scoring on a 1-yard Valeti run for a 48-33 advantage with 4:19 remaining.

Wasatch struck quickly, Kelson connecting with Erickson on a 70-yard scoring play. Ashton Southam’s extra point brought the visitors to within 48-40 with 3:50 showing on the clock.

The Wasps attempted another onside kick and this time Erickson recovered, giving his team the ball at midfield. Kelson moved Wasatch to the Springville 3-yard line with just under three minutes remaining when Naufahu made the play of the night.

Naufahu described his big moment simply: “Their line just didn’t block me so I just got through, put my helmet on him and took the ball. I just wanted to do anything I can. I love my brothers and I knew I had to help them by stepping up.”

“He’s been a three-year starter,” Coach Valeti said. “He’s one of the guys that doesn’t get a lot of sacks and doesn’t get a lot of recognition. But if you know football and watch the film, he’s been an absolute rock for us. I’m so glad he was the one to step up and make the play tonight.”

Springville picked up a pair of first downs, including a 35-yard Valeti run, and knelt on the ball to finish the game.

“We know they got on us a bit in the fourth quarter but out message at halftime was that the game was going to come down to the fourth quarter,” Coach Valeti said. “That’s just who we are and I’m so happy for our group. This was a big one in region and I’m so proud of these guys.”

Springville (3-0 Region 9, 6-1 overall) travels to Maple Mountain next Friday. Wasatch (2-1, 3-4) will host Spanish Fork.

Wasatch 7 10 0 23 — 40

Springville 21 14 6 7 — 48

W-Carter Bucad 65 pass from Mack Kelson (Ashton Southam kick)

S-Kinikinilau Fonohema 1 interception return (Lukas Franks kick)

S-Tevita Valeti 4 run (Lukas Franks kick)

S-Tevita Valeti 1 run (Lukas Franks kick)

W-Ashton Southam 27 FG

S-Tevita Valeti 9 run (Lukas Franks kick)

W-Crew Erickson 14 pass from Mack Kelson (Ashton Southam kick)

S-Tevita Valeti 1 run (Lukas Franks kick)

S-Luke Nadauld 12 pass from Ryder Burton (kick failed)

W-Crew Erickson 18 pass from Mack Kelson (Kelson pass to Erickson)

W-Chris Cook 1 run (Mack Kelson run)

S-Tevita Valeti 1 run (Lukas Franks kick)

W-Crew Erickson 70 pass from Mack Kelson (Ashton Southam kick)

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