Right after Viking running back Corbin Robbins sped ahead of the T-bird’s defense and into the endzone for a 28-14 lead with just 3:09 remaining, Pleasant Grove appeared to be in great shape. Robbins skipped down the sidelines to celebrate what appeared to be a game-icing touchdown run of 47 yards while receiving hearty congratulations in a variety of forms from what seemed to be half of the Viking’s players and a few coaches.

But Timpview wasn’t finished.

The T-bird passing game went to work, and particularly standout receiver Dennis Tuaone, who seemed to be at the receiving end of just about every pass thrown by quarterback Matt Manuma, up until Steel Richards stepped in to haul in a 3-yard reception to cut the lead to 28-21 with just over 30 seconds remaining.

LaPan called a huddle and gave adamant instruction on how to counteract the impending onsides kick attempt from Timpview, but as those things often go, the kick sailed over at least two players heads. Flashing down the sidelines to scoop the ball up just before it headed out-of-bounds was Tuaone again, earning the T-birds a chance to either put the game into overtime or to win it outright with a touchdown and 2-point conversion.

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

But fortunately, For the visiting Vikings, Timpview was stopped just short with cornerback Jake Bills knocking down the final pass tossed into the endzone from about 30 yards out.

“That last minute, and really that last three and a half minutes felt like an hour or even more,” said LaPan. “I felt so helpless, but our guys were awesome with how they responded, and all the credit goes to them.”

LaPan went on to run down what seemed to be half his roster to point out everyone who contributed in Thursday’s win, not wanting to leave anyone out.

“I love this group so much, and I honestly wish the season lasted 24 weeks, so I could keep coaching all of them,” he said. “Every single one of them out there tonight came up big and we couldn’t have done without any of them. It was a team effort from our defensive and offensive lines, to our receivers and cornerbacks. Yeah, we had some trouble with special teams at the end there, but every single one of them stepped up big when it mattered most.”

Stepping up big specifically was Ryan Huntsman, who broke free for a 76-yard touchdown run right after Timpview went up 7-0 in the first quarter. After Timpview scored to go up 14-7 Pleasant Grove scored three straight touchdowns, two of which came from quarterback Cannon Jacobson touchdown passes to Landan Forstpointer and then to Huntsman, leading up to the aforementioned 47-yard scoring from from Robbins.

Brandon Gurney, Daily Herald

Perhaps the biggest defensive play of the night was provided by senior linebacker Derek Brinton, who dropped in coverage to snare down an interception just as Timpview appeared poised to tie things up late down 21-14 with just over four minutes remaining.

“Derek Brinton’s an absolute monster,” LaPan said. “He leads by example all year long, and I’m not just talking like right now. He’s always in the weight room, and he’s been a tremendous leader for all of our players with the example he sets.”

With the win Pleasant Grove improves to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in Region 7 play with the state playoffs just a few weeks away. It’s all been a grind for Pleasant Grove’s rebuilding program, but after two years at the helm, LaPan appears to have things going in the right direction as evidenced by Thursday’s win.

“Timpview is a great football program, so to get this win is huge for our confidence,” LaPan concluded. “It’s a very talented team and through the years it’s been a program up there with the Lone Peaks, Corner Canyons and Orems, so it’s a big win for our boys. I’m just so proud of their effort and how they refused to crumble when we could have. They fought through all of it, and like I said, I wish I could coach all of them for a lot longer than I’ll have to.”