For Highland senior Spencer Nielsen, it was a moment frozen in time. For teammate Chad Iverson, it was a moment of relief, and for the Viewmont Vikings, it was heartbreaking.
Nielsen intercepted a pass from Viking quarterback Mark Larsen with 19 seconds left in the game at the Rams' 15-yard line to help Highland preserve a 7-6 victory in a Region 2 playoff game Tuesday at Woods Cross High.It capped a wild game with plenty of offense, lots of turnovers and many blown opportunities for both teams. In the end, Highland earned the right to play at Orem Saturday in a first-round state playoff game.
The Rams took a 7-0 lead on their third possession after their first two drives ended in turnovers. Starting at the 32, Highland went 68 yards in 10 plays, with Iverson bolting around right end for the final nine yards with 4:18 left in the half. Greg Pulver added what proved to be the PAT.
Until the final moments of the fourth quarter, the scoreboard remained quiet after that score, as Viewmont put together four good drives but couldn't capitalize.
Perhaps the key stop for Highland came in the third quarter. Larsen and his band of pass receivers moved the ball to the Highland three, where Viewmont faced fourth-and-inches. The Vikes called a timeout to set up a play, but due to a mix up with personnel, had to burn a second timeout. Once play resumed, Highland stopped halfback Ammon Pitt for a one-yard loss to kill the drive.
Highland did nothing offensively in the second half, and the Vikes had one last chance to tie the game when they took over at their 28 with seven minutes left. Viewmont moved to the Ram three thanks to clutch passes from Larsen to Brian Bowles for 17 yards and Pitt twice for 32 yards. On fourth and goal, Larsen swept to the right and dove into the corner to make it 7-6 with 2:09 remaining. On the extra point, holder Justin Nelson picked up the snap and rolled right, throwing towards the end zone, but Paul Strasser picked off the pass, and Highland seemingly had the game in hand when Nielsen recovered Viewmont's onside kick.
But Iverson fumbled at the Viewmont 40, Highland's sixth fumble of the game (it lost three), and the Vikes had new life with 1:13 left.
Larsen hit Paul Hess for 12 yards to the Highland 48, then McEwan Bender picked up eight on a draw. The Rams were called for pass interference. The Vikings moved to the Highland 25 with 27 seconds left, but on first down, Larsen's pass was picked by Nielsen, the fourth Highland interception of the game, insuring the win.