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Payson offensive players and Mountain View defensive players line up for a play during the 4A first round game at Payson on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

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Payson players celebrate after winning the 4A first round game against Mountain View at Payson on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

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Mountain View head coach Abe Poduska talks to his players after the 4A first round game at Payson on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent

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It was in 1986 when Payson last won a state playoff football game, but Friday night was “Swasey Time.”

Cooper Swasey was the dominant athlete on the gridiron leading his Lions to a 35-17 4A first round win over Mountain View.

After both teams went scoreless in the first quarter, Swasey took over the game on both sides of the ball, thrilling the home faithful.

The Lion senior scored on two touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Trevyn Wall, and then just before halftime, he provided the back-breaking pick-six of 45 yards that gave Payson a 21-3 lead.

While Swasey played a great game, he credited his team for his success.

“It feels good, the team did what it needed to do,” Swasey said. “I get a lot of credit, but it’s not on me. The team puts me in the position to succeed.”

Swasey doesn’t have a preference regarding playing offense or defense.

“I like them both,” said the Lion senior wide receiver and defensive back. “I love to hit people and I love to score touchdowns.”

Two of Swasey’s scores were spectacular feats of athleticism. His second touchdown reception came when he took a wide receiver screen and turned what should have been a short gain into a scamper to paydirt where he zig-zagged through several Bruin defenders for a 34-yard touchdown.

Then his interception return for a touchdown came with just 40 seconds left in the first half. On that play he showcased his breakaway speed, though again he gave credit to his teammates.

“When I caught it, I had no clue what was going to happen, then I saw two of my teammates, Tanner Ivers and Colby Olsen, go right past me blocking people, and it was like, ‘here we go,'” Swasey said.

In the third quarter, Payson put the game effectively out of reach when David Keel ran it in from 26 yards out. After Logan Russell successfully kicked his fourth extra point, the Lions led 28-3.

Payson’s final touchdown came when sophomore Trevyn Wall connected with his older brother Dylan Wall on a 40-yard score. Their father, Brian Wall, is the head coach for Payson.

“It’s fun (to see their successes), but I don’t see them as my boys, just other players when they’re out there playing,” Brian Wall said.

Trevyn Wall has had to step up to man the quarterback position as senior Kade Edwards fights through some injuries.

“He’s got a lot to learn,” Brian Wall said of his son Trevyn. “He’s still young but he’s done a good job for us. I feel like we have two good quarterbacks.”

Brian Wall was also complimentary of Swasey, not only for his big-time performance in this playoff win but for his play all season long.

“Swasey is a ball player, man,” Brian Wall said. “He can just play. I love having him around. He’s a great kid and a great ball player. He deserves everything he gets.”

The historic nature of the win wasn’t lost on the head coach since his seniors have had four different head coaches in their four years.

“It’s exciting for the boys,” Brian Wall said. “We have a big group of seniors who have battled since the second grade. So this was fun for them.”

It was the second time this season Payson defeated Mountain View. Both teams compete in 4A Region 8, and in the previous meeting at Mountain View, Payson blanked the Bruins, 27-0.

Mountain View was able to put up some points even though they suffered some injuries at the quarterback position that forced wide receiver Beau Peterson to be the signal caller for this contest.

Peterson had a 1-yard scoring run and threw for another score, a 28-yard scoring connection to Ty Mullen with just 42 seconds left in the final stanza. Those two scores, as well as a 29-yard field goal by Kalvin Floyd, accounted for the Bruin scoring.

Payson (6-5), seeded No. 14, will go on the road to take on No. 3 seed Provo (8-2) in the second round of the 4A playoffs Friday at 6 p.m.

In its previous meeting with Provo this season, the Lions fell short by just three points, 26-23.

Mountain View closes out its season with a 3-8 record, but the Bruins made their first playoff appearance since 2020.

Score by Quarter:

MV 0 3 7 7 -17

P 0 21 14 0-35

Scoring Summary:

P-Cooper Swasey 15-yard pass from Trevyn Wall (Logan Russell kick)

MV-Kalvin Floyd 29 FG

P-Swasey 34 pass from Wall (Russell kick)

P-Swasey 45 interception return (Russell kick)

P-David Keel 26 run (Russell kick)

MV-Beau Peterson 1 run (Floyd kick)

P-Dylan Wall 40 pass from Trevyn Wall (Russell kick)

MV-Ty Mullen 28 pass from Peterson (Floyd kick)