BOUNTIFUL — Many coaches will tell you consistency is the key.
After coaching his 250th career football game tonight, Bountiful's head coach Larry Wall mentioned that the team has been very consistent. While coach Billy Pluim of the Clearfield Falcons is probably preaching the same principle to his team, this probably isn't what he meant.
Both teams had flashbacks of last week, as the Braves shut out the Falcons 17-0. Bountiful's defense hasn't allowed a point, and Clearfield's offense hasn't scored one through two weeks.
Frustration was running high on both sidelines to start the game, as it seemed more like a game of catch than football. Bountiful's first possession was three-and-out and the Falcons started driving, but after just three snaps, both teams joined together in the spirit of giving as the next four plays resulted in four consecutive turnovers, one interception and three fumbles.
Coach Wall must have had strong words for his offense after the first quarter, because the Braves came out to start the quarter with what turned out to be an inextinguishable fire. The Braves were led by running back Jamie Rigby as they drove from their own 23 and capped it off with Mitch Johnson punching in a one-yard touchdown run.
Rigby ran for 53 yards and picked up 10 more receiving to help dictate the rest of the game.
"My line is what got me all my yards," he said, speaking of his 110 total rushing yards on the night. "All my trust is in them."
Clearfield countered by engineering an equally impressive drive starting at its own 22, but Rigby again came up huge for the Braves with an interception on the three yard line.
"Rigby is setting the tempo on both sides of the ball for us," said Wall.
Any hopes that the Falcons had of re-establishing themselves in the second half were squandered, as the Braves chewed up the first half of the third quarter driving 65 yards to put them up 14-0. Jamie Rigby again led the charge with the help of fellow running back Mitch Johnson, who finished the night with two touchdown runs.
Although he is young, coach Wall is very confident in his running back. "Mitch is a sophomore that I don't have to worry about," he said.
Clearfield last chance to stay in the game was snatched away as the Braves forced them to go three-and-out on the next possession. From then on, "B-Town", as they refer to themselves over the PA, were able to pound the ball all night led by its tandem of running backs.
Bountiful showed that it again is a strong competitor in Region 5 with its dominating running game and very physical defense.
The Falcons travel to Bonneville next week and hope for a strong showing there. Bountiful hosts cross-town rival Viewmont.