A game of inches: Timpanogos edges Park City in overtime
Timpanogos edges Park City in overtime
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- Timpanogos running back Zack McCann jumps into the arms of head coach Nolan Nielsen after a 24-23 overtime victory against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos’ Luke Bergin (21) celebrates with his teammates after kicking the game-winning extra point in a 24-23 overtime victory against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- The Timpanogos football team celebrates a 24-23 overtime win against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos quarterback Logan Holloway (5) runs with the ball against Park City in a Region 8 football game on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos head coach Nolan Nielsen (right) meets with his players in a time out during a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Bronco Blackhurst (left) and Jace Spencer (11) help up teammate Logan Lee after he scored a touchdown against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Three Timpanogos defenders take down a Park City ball carrier in a Region 8 football game on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos quarterback Logan Holloway looks for a receiver in a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Park City quarterback Josh Hofer looks for a receiver in a Region 8 football game on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos head coach Nolan Nielsen (in white) calls a play during a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos quarterbacks Logan Holloway (5) and Mack Valgardson talk strategy with a coach on the sideline during a Region 8 football game on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpangos students react during a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos captain Tyson Knapp (17) greets Park City players before the start of a Region 8 football game on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos captains (from left) Zack McCann, Tyson Knapp and Tevita Mounga walk to midfield for the coin toss before a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Nainoa Manley (38) and his teammates run onto the field before a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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- Timpanogos defensive back Tyson Knapp (17) leads his team onto the field before the start of a Region 8 football game against Park City on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Trailing Park City 23-17 in overtime, Timpanogos faced a 4th-and-inches just outside the goal line.
T-Wolves head coach Nolan Nielsen didn’t just want to go to his top player to win the game.
He was going to use all 11 on the field.
Timpanogos got the push it needed for Zack McCann to blast over for the tying touchdown — he’ll be credited with a 1-yard run but it was really only about four inches — and Luke Bergin booted the extra point for a target-heart rate 24-23 Region 8 victory on Thursday.
“Man, we we talk a lot about ‘win as one,’ right?” Nielsen said. “I think that last formation shows you exactly what we embody. We had 11 guys in the box. It was close. We got it, but those four inches took all 11 guys to get, from the snap to the quarterback to the handoff to the blocks up front. We can’t win it without all 11 of us. We want to win as one and they’re all so happy because of that.”
Another thing that brought a smile to their faces? It was the first time the T-Wolves had ever beaten Park City after losing all five previous meetings.
“This win means everything to me,” McCann said. “I’ve watched us lose to these guys five times. My freshman year, we were in the playoffs and we fumbled on the one, same situation. So when I stepped out there, it was for everyone in the past, and so I gave it my all.”
Bergin, who also plays linebacker, got to play hero twice. He also drilled the longest field goal of his career — from 40 yards — with 28 seconds left out of McCann’s hold to tie the game at 17-all.
“It’s just so many reps,” Bergin said. “We’ve done it for years, and I just feel it’s just like practice reps. You know, snap, hold, kick. It’s all perfect. Everyone’s blocking their tails off. I trust Zack to hold that ball. So, yeah, we’re just money.”
Park City got the first possession in overtime and quarterback Josh Hofer raced down to the 2-yard line. Hofer got over the goal line on the next play for a 23-17 lead but Will Hladon’s extra point bounced off the right post.
Timpanogos turned to its running game on its overtime possession, with Dillon Morgan converting a 3rd-and-1 to set up a 1st-and-goal at the 8-yard line. McCann powered to the 1-yard line, but Park City turned back the next two T-Wolf runs to set up the fourth down play.
“It was electrifying,” McCann said. “We’ve never been stopped on that play. We’ve always gotten positive yards. So I knew going in.”
For Timpanogos — No. 21 in 4A RPI going into the game with 16 teams qualifying for the playoffs — beating No. 12 Park City was critical for its postseason hopes. The post-game celebration was wild, with Nielsen getting the traditional Gatorade ice bath and the Timpanogos student section sprinting onto the field to join the players.
“This is the first time we’ve ever beat Park City and it’s just so big to us,” Nielsen said. “We lost a heartbreaker last week (31-28 to city rival Mountain View). We’re always worried about an emotional letdown, but they came out just so motivated today to win this game.”
The game was tied at 7-7, 14-14 and 17-17 in a what was pretty much a defensive struggle until the final whistle. The T-Wolves got some big play from its defense and special teams. Defensive end Tevita Mounga was credited with two sacks and Luke Warner recovered a fumble on a punt to set up the team’s first score.
Timpanogos (5-4 overall, 4-2 Region 8) finishes the regular season next Wednesday on Senior Night at home against Provo (5-4, 5-1). The Bulldogs are one of the hottest teams in 4A, having scored 48, 66 and 55 points in their past three wins.
“I’m hoping tonight’s win is a big bump for us,” Nielsen said. “We’re trying to scratch our way back in. We’ve lost two games by less than seven points. Wednesday we’re going to hopefully push ourselves into the playoffs. We feel like we deserve to be in.
“My uncle, Frank Bramall, used to be the AD here. He’s totally my cousin, but I think of him as my uncle. I love Frank to death. It feels so sweet to be on his field and get that win tonight.”
TIMPANOGOS 24, PARK CITY 23 (OT)
Park City 7 0 7 3 6 — 23
Timpanogos 7 0 7 3 7 — 24
PC-Hofer 15 run (Hladon kick)
T-Lee 13 pass from Holloway (Bergin kick)
T-Morgan 7 run (Bergin kick)
PC-Dobberstein 7 run (Hladon kick)
PC-Hladon 25 FG
T-Bergin 40 FG
PC-Hofer 2 run (kick failed)
T-McCann 1 run (Bergin kick)
