CENTERVILLE — Sloppy is what Viewmont head football coach Robbie Gunter called his team's 20-12 win over Lone Peak Friday night.
"I don't want to take anything away from Lone Peak because they scrapped all night and were well coached, but we did not play well," said Gunter. "We played sloppy tonight."
Though the two teams combined for eight turnovers in the game, the outing still proved a nail-biter.
Leading 20-12, Viewmont took over with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. But the Vikes couldn't get the first down to wind down the clock and were forced to punt.
From his own 15-yard line, Kyle Bilbrey connected for one of the biggest plays of the game, booting the ball 61 yards to put Lone Peak on its own 24 with 2:06 left to play.
The Knights moved the ball up field, converting two long third downs and getting a roughing-the-passer call. But the Viewmont defense ended the game like it began and stopped the Knights' final charge to seal the win as time ran out.
"I have to give it up to our defense," said Gunter. "They were quick to get the ball back after we gave it up. I hope we don't have to rely on our defense like that again."
Chris Larsen played a key part of the defensive effort, snagging two key interceptions.
"That was a good thing — he helped his own cause," Gunter said.
Gunter was referring to Larsen — also the quarterback — making up for the two interceptions he tossed from his own pocket. Larsen finished the night 9-of-15 with 138 yards and three touchdowns.
His biggest strike was for 75 yards to Chad Randall to put Viewmont up 13-6 early in the third quarter after Michael Holman's PAT.
The Vikes' next drive used more than seven minutes off the clock, concluding with a 2-yard score from Larsen to Stan Smoot. Holman added the extra point and Viewmont extended its lead to 20-6.
Lone Peak doubled its score early in the fourth when Steve Lindsley hit Jordan Lowry for a 42-yard scamper down the sideline. But Viewmont's defense prevented the two-point conversion. The Vikes' defense played tough all night, starting the game by moving Lone Peak backward. Lone Peak was able to score first in the game, but it took four tries from its 1-yard line. as Viewmont held for three stands in the second quarter. The score was a 1-yard run by Scott LeFrandt.
Sam Graham also played well for Viewmont, snagging three catches for 32 yards while grabbing an interception.