VIEWMONT’S JOSH STAPLES’ leads the team in passing and rushing heading into Friday’s non-region showdown with the Bountiful Braves. The game will be played at Bountiful this year.
Viewmont hadn’t won a game to that point and were winless in their region as well.
But a 27-2 surprise victory by Viewmont sparked the Vikings to three wins in their final five games, while Bountiful finished with a region title and a berth in the semi finals of the state 4A playoffs.
This year the teams are meeting much earlier, still with nothing on the line except for city pride.
That doesn’t stop either team from calling it an important game, however.
The Braves defense has struggled through its initial three games of the year, giving up a combined 93 points in the team’s losses to Lone Peak and Logan.
With the likely return of senior starter Teau Satuala, however, the Braves could be on the rebound and looking for a strong victory against a Viewmont team that has played well offensively.
Rylee Gautavai has continued to lead the defense through Bountiful’s first three games, posting 29 tackles with half a sack.
Jakob Hunt, Junior Hamilton and Jack Fabrizio are second on the team with 14 tackles each as they look to steady the defense against the Vikings Friday.
Offensively the Braves haven’t had any trouble putting up points against the last two teams, averaging 28 points per contest against Mountain View and Logan.
So far, Hunt has been the leader on offense rushing the ball. He has 141 yards while averaging over nine yards per carry with a pair of touchdowns.
Fabrizio has also been a strong rusher behind Hunt, averaging better than five yards per carry behind the offensive line.
The Vikings also boast a strong rushing attack, led by Braden Waiters’ three rushing touchdowns.
Josh Staples, the team’s senior quarterback, is leading the team with 84 yards on the ground while also throwing for 219 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Levi Hinze leads the team with 22 tackles on the year, while Weston Salmon and Cole Jacobs are second and third on the team in tackles respectively.
The Vikings and Braves each have a 1-2 record heading into Friday’s showdown with each other.
While the Vikings will play their final non-region game this season before starting Region 2 games this year, the Braves will have one final non-region game on the final week of the season.
Game time is 7 p.m. at the Bountiful football field.
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