Springville football beats Highland in 5A first round
-
- Springville’s Lisiate Valeti (2) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in a 5A state football playoff game against Highland on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
-
- Springville’s Drake Peterson (7) makes a catch against Highland in a 5A football state playoff game on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
-
- Springville’s Jack Pickering (6) runs away from Highland defenders during a 5A state football playoff game on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
-
- Springville football coach Dave Valeti (in red) reacts to a play on the field during a 5A state playoff game against Highland on Friday, Oct. 26, 2024.
It was a tale of two halves for No. 13 seed Springville in its 5A first round playoff game with No. 20 seed Highland in Springville on Friday night.
In the first half, Springville was plagued by five turnovers, including a 31-yard pick six by Charlie McConkie that gave the Rams a 7-0 lead. However, the Red Devil defense played well and kept Springville in the game until the offense settled down scoring 24 unanswered second half points en route to a 24-7 victory.
When asked if the coaches took a more emotional or tactical approach during the halftime break, Springville head coach Dave Valeti said, “we had an emotional coach and we had a tactical coach. Probably right in the middle to tell you the truth.”
Valeti challenged both his nephew, senior running back Lisiate Valeti, and the offensive line, to step up and they responded.
In fact, on the opening kickoff of the second half Lisiate Valeti returned the ball 43 yards. Then he broke off several long runs. The drive eventually stalled out but Jonathan Zafra nailed a 37-yard field goal to cut the Highland lead to 7-3.
Then it was Highland that started to make mistakes including a fumble on their next possession recovered by Jeryck McCoy just inside Red Devil territory. Lisiate Valeti broke off a 13-yard run and then quarterback Easton Leavitt spotted Reed Deede on a 39-yard scoring connection to give Springville a 10-7 lead it would never relinquish.
Springville’s defense continued its stellar play and on its next offensive drive Lisiate Valeti scored on a 7-yarder. After the successful extra point by Zafra, the Red Devils pushed their lead to 17-7.
“We were in the locker room and the (offensive) line stepped up,” Lisiate Valeti said. “They balled out and made big holes for me.”
Springville’s defense continued to dominate as McCoy had a sack and then combined with teammate Sione Moala for another to shut down another Highland drive.
Jack Pickering then put the icing on the cake on both sides of the ball with a 12-yard touchdown reception and then an interception in the final stanza.
Springville has had its share of injury issues, losing starting running back Max Harris earlier in the season and then several offensive linemen. But for the Red Devil head coach, there is no time for excuses.
“We don’t make excuses for anything,” Dave Valeti said. “With the guys we played tonight, we’re capable of beating anybody. The frustrating part was that the first half was so sluggish and we know that’s not going to beat Timpview next week.”
With the win, the Red Devils improved their record to 6-5 and now will take on No. 4 seed Timpview (6-2) Friday evening at 6 pm. With the loss, Highland concluded its season with a 3-7 mark.
Score by Quarter:
Highland 0 7 0 0 – 7
Springville 0 0 17 7 – 24
H-Charlie McConkie 31 interception return (Avi Gotshalk kick)
SV-Jonathan Zafra 37 FG
SV-Reid Deede 39 pass from Easton Leavitt (Zafra kick)
SV-Lisiate Valeti 7 run (Zafra kick)
SV-Jack Pickering 12 pass from Leavitt (Zafra kick)
