In a game that was generally well played and had plenty of drama, the No. 10 seed Bountiful Redhawks made just one more play than No. 2 seed Springville to win 36-35 in overtime.

That play was a two-point conversion when Bountiful trailed 35-34. Instead of electing to kick the extra point and extend the game to a second overtime session, the Redhawks decided to win or lose the game right then and then used some deception to get the winning score.

Bountiful usually lines up in three or four wide receiver sets but often runs the ball with star sophomore running back Siaki Fekitoa. But instead Bountiful lined up in a jumbo package look with double tight ends and Springville’s defense bunched in expecting Bountiful to run Fekitoa.

However, Redhawk quarterback Emerson Geilman faked the handoff to Fekitoa then rolled to his right on a naked bootleg going untouched for the score sending Bountiful (9-4) to the semifinals where they will play No. 11 seed Alta (10-3).

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

“I am proud of our guys,” said Springville head coach Dave Valeti who felt his team exceeded the expectations many had for the program by going 9-3 on the season. “Like I told them, all year everyone told us what we didn’t have, but we focused on what we did have.”

As with any loss to end the season, Valeti’s first thoughts were to the senior class.

“I am so proud but sad for these seniors because of the buy-in we saw, and we saw them play for each other,” said Valeti.

The Red Devil head coach was both complimentary of Bountiful and the contest that took place between two evenly matched teams.

“It was a great game,” Valeti said. “Hats off to Bountiful. They played a great game. We knew it would be this type of game. We told them (our players) that it would come down to the last play.”

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

Springville’s star running back Tevita Valeti, Dave Valeti’s nephew, had a monster game scoring three touchdowns including the one that temporarily put Springville ahead in overtime. Valeti ran the ball as a running back, or as a quarterback in the Wildcat formation.

Springville also mixed in some effective passes as Tevita’s younger brother Lisiate Valeti connected with Luke Nadauld two times for touchdowns, including a 56-yard hook up that opened the game’s scoring, and then one midway in the final stanza where Nadauld made a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone to give Springville a 28-21 lead.

After Nadauld’s score, Bountiful responded with a drive of their own and Fekitoa ran it in from six yards out with just 1:06 remaining in regulation. It was Fekitoa’s third score of the game.

Springville tried to move the ball on its next possession and actually averted disaster when Redhawk defensive back Britton Tidwell intercepted Lisiate Valeti near midfield and returned the ball back initially to Springville’s 16-yard line with just 12 seconds remaining.

But Bountiful was called for a blindside block on the return and the ball was moved back to Springville’s 45-yard line. After two incomplete passes, the game remained tied at 28-28.

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

Springville’s defense also made some key contributions to the Red Devil effort.

Kinikinilau Fonohema hit the Redhawk quarterback Geilman as he was throwing the ball which led to an interception and 33-yard return by Tisi Valeti. That set up a Springville score in the second quarter. Tua Naufahu also had a pick that thwarted a Redhawk drive.

Springville never trailed in the game until the final play but never could build a lead bigger than seven points.

Bountiful also got two scores from Faletau Satuala, including the one that pulled Redhawks within a point of the Red Devils in overtime and set up the final winning two-point conversion.

Box score

Harold Mitchell, Special to the Herald

BOUNTIFUL-7 7 7 7 8-36

SPRINGVILLE-7 14 0 7 7-35

Scoring Summary

SV-Luke Nadauld 56 pass from Lisiate Valeti (Lukas Franks kick)

B-Siaki Fekitoa 6 run (Landon Zayas kick)

SV-Tevita Valeti 29 run (Franks kick)

B-Fekitoa 1 run (Zayas kick)

SV-Tevita Valeti 14 run (Zayas kick)

B-Faletau Satuala 12 pass from Emerson Geilman (Zayas kick)

SV-Nadauld 12 pass from Lisiate Valeti (Franks kick)

B-Fekitoa 6 run (Zayas kick)

SV-Tevita Valeti 1 run (Franks kick)

B-Satuala 11 run (Geilman run)