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Show Vikings upset Springville in varsity tilt the Lions, they will get at least a share of the Region 8 crown. However, Payson will be a tough opponent. It was Payson who dumped Timpview early in the year. By JACK HILL For the second time in just eight days, the Pleasant Grove Vikings took on the state's number one ranked 3-A team on their field and this time the Vikes came out winners. win-ners. Coach Doug Bluth's "Mighty Mites" scratched, clawed and then held on to beat Springville, last week's top rated team, 14-6. Eight days ago in St. George, the Vikes lost in three overtimes, 27-20, to that week's top team, Pineview. At Springville Thursday, PG came out short in nearly every statistical category, but the only one that really counts, the score. Springville had the edge in first downs, 16 to 3; total yards, 269 to 136, and even had more turnovers, 4 to 3 over the Vikes. Although Springville tried all of their "psych" tricks, like not having the locker room open when PG got to the school and then making the Vikes stand outside the locker room for seven minutes of the 15 minute half time before unlocking the door to let the team in. Then there was the band waiting outside the PG locker room for nearly 20 minutes before the game and then following the Vikes onto the field and playing loud and constantly while PG attempted at-tempted to warm up. The poor sportsmanlike tactics backfired on the Springville coaching staff and administration. Coach Bluth simply led the team off the football field and found a quiet, although dark practice area to warm up on and then let the anger at being treated so poorly by the Springville coaching staff and administration motivate the undersized and underdog un-derdog Vikes to pull off this year's Region 8 upset of the year. Springville appeared overconfident over-confident as they ran a fake punt on their own 35 yard line on a fourth and 16 situation just minutes into the game. PG dropped the ball carrier for a two yard loss and took over on the 33. Vallen Blackburn gained four and David Flinders connected with Todd Mosher for the touchdown. Burke Watkins booted the point after for a 7-0 Viking lead with 3: 19 left in the first quarter. Defense dominated the second and third periods as the Red Devils moved the ball between the 30's but were unable to get the ball in the end zone. With 10 minutes left to play, Springville's Ray Ollerton fumbled on the Red Devil 28 and Rick Mayo recovered for the Vikes. PG again capitalized on the Springville error when Thomas took the reverse pitch and passed to Corey Carter for the touchdown. Watkins' kick made it 14-0. Now the Red Devil offense that had sputtered and died on each possession, roared to life and took just two minutes to go 75 yards and a touchdown. Coach Ray Newberry elected to go for two, but PG's outsized line led by Chris Drake and Brian Larsen stopped the ball carrier short. In the first half, PG had held the Red Devils on a fourth and goal play when tailback Danny Price threw incomplete to Joe Nemelka in the end zone. Things really got tight for the upset minded Vikes as Springville drove to the PG 11 with :56 seconds left in the game. Two incomplete passes, a quarterback sack by Drake and Brett West and a fumble recovered by Drake ended the last ditch threat by Springville. PG ran out the clock for the victory and a share of the Region 8 lead. PG hosts a quick Payson team Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Viking Stadium and if the Vikes can beat |
