SPANISH FORK — Although there was opening-game jitters from both teams, Spanish Fork unleashed a powerful offense that opponents may have a hard time dealing with in the Dons' 49-28 win over Mountain View Friday night.
In a game that featured a high number of penalties and a 'bend but not totally break" defense from the home team, Spanish Fork head coach Matt Christensen gathered a lot of positives, the victory not being the least of them.
"Yeah, we'll always take that (a win)," he laughed.
With sophomore quarterback Hayden Nielsen confidently leading the Dons. With the score tied 7-7 after a quarter of play, Spanish Fork scored three of the next four touchdowns to take control of the game.
Travis Still scored on two long plays for the Dons, first on a 73-yard run and then on a 79-yard reception from Nielsen, as Spanish Fork led 35-21 at halftime.
But the impressive individual performance of Mountain View's James Emerson kept the Bruins within striking distance. Emerson used a combination of speed, strength and grit to rack up 194 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.
And even though Christensen knows his team's defense (and special teams) need some work, he made it clear that Mountain View deserved some credit for its play as well.
"Hats off to Mountain View," Christensen said. "They really gave us some fits tonight; they're a good team."
Down by two scores and time running out on the first half, the Bruins found themselves deep in Spanish Fork territory after a Paul Schoenfeld fumble recovery.
Emerson made a spectacular play when he ran right, then reversed his field and scampered all the way across to the other side and into the end zone for a score. But it was all for naught, as an illegal-block penalty wiped the touchdown off the scoreboard, which also ticked down to 0:00 a play later.
In the second half, Mountain View once again had a golden opportunity go awry when, while fighting for yardage, Tanner Houston couldn't hold onto the ball. It popped straight into the air, where Michael Stone plucked it out of. Stone had another interception and also collected 3.5 tackles.
When Spanish Fork tacked two more touchdowns to their total — the second coming with just over three minutes left in the game — any chance of a Bruins comeback was gone.
The Dons' last score came on a Taylor Nelson-to-Nate Russell hookup. Nelson, a senior who looks to be a formidable backup to Nielsen, was 1-of-1 with the 62-yard touchdown pass.
Nielsen, making his first varsity start, finished 9-of-19 for 158 yards and a touchdown toss. He also rushed six times for 77 yards.
"That's what we expected of him," Christensen said, speaking of his quarterback. "We know what he's capable of. He's a heady kid."
Still ended the game with three carries for 88 yards and a score, and a pair of receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
P.J. Inoke ran wild for Spanish Fork, carrying the ball 11 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, the Dons' Cody Duncan had a forced fumble and 6.5 tackles, while Uili Makai also came up with a forced fumble and totaled 3.5 tackles. Tyson Galovich had a sack and forced fumble, and Blake Denning recorded a sack.