It's a lot of fun for our players and you can feel the excitement around the community and it's a great thing for our program. – Red Devils coach Willy Child
There's a lot of excitement in and around the Springville community according to Red Devils football coach Willy Child and why wouldn't there be? Child's team is undefeated on the season and traveling north to Rice-Eccles Stadium this Thursday to take part in the 4A state semifinals.
For the tight-knit Springville community, it's no small thing for the football program to be one of the last four teams standing in early November.
"It's a lot of fun for our players and you can feel the excitement around the community and it's a great thing for our program," Child said. "We hope to get a lot of support up there on Thursday and we're hoping for the best."
Despite its undefeated run leading up to the semifinal round, Springville finds itself as a decided underdog for Thursday's game.
The reason? That would be the strength of the Red Devils' opponent: East.
While it's been some time since Springville played at Rice-Eccles, this will be the fourth trip for East over the last five years. The Leopards were considered strong contenders during all three previous trips, but this year most experts see them as decided favorites to go all the way.
After a bit of a slow start this season, East has been playing as well as anyone lately and surely has the Red Devils' attention entering Thursday's game.
"I think East is probably going to be the toughest team we've played all year and it's going to be a huge challenge for us to get by a team like that," Child said.
For East coach Brandon Matich, he likes how his team has been playing and progressing throughout the year.
"We had a young offensive line to start the year, and with the offense we run, it's often hard for a young group to really start playing well until a few games into the season," Matich said. "But now I feel that line has really started to come together along with our quarterback, who has only been with us for half the year."
East's quarterback is Johnnie Lang, who joined the team after transferring from Manatee High in Florida. Since joining the Leopards, Lang has compiled 1,076 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns while averaging 12.3 yards per carry.
"He's more like another running back for us, but he can also throw the ball when we need it," Matich said. "He's been a big part of what we do and for our improvement over the last half of the season."
For Springville, the task will be holding Lang, and the rest of East's potent running attack, in check.
"It's a team that breaks a lot of big plays on the ground and we can't allow that to happen if we're to have a chance," Child said.
On offense, Springville will attempt to control the clock with a consistent rushing attack, much like it's done all season.
"They grind it out really well on offense and can really put together long drives. So we have to limit that," Matich observed. "Defensively, they're the toughest defense I believe we've faced all year, so it's going to be a challenge. They've got our attention, no question."
As for reversing the trend of coming up just short at Rice-Eccles in recent years, Matich believes his team has a good mindset heading into the venue this time around.
"It's a different feel this time with our team this year," Matich said. "I think the kids are positive and excited about the opportunities ahead of them and I really like the focus I'm seeing from all of them. We're feeling good about our chances, but first we need to get by a very tough and well-coached Springville team."
As for Child, he's seeing similar things from his players leading up to Thursday's game.
"We have a bit of a quiet team. A team that just does its job and we don't get too emotional either way," Child said. "I think that mentality has served us well and hopefully we can maintain that approach against East."
Felt’s Facts for Springville High School
All-time record: 412-397-32 (99 years)
Region championships: 23 (1922, 1926, 1929, 1933, 1938, 1954, 1976 co, 1977 co, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 co, 1988 co, 1990, 1991 co, 1992, 1993 co, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2015)
Playoff appearances: 45
Current playoff appearance streak: 3 (2013-2015)
All-time playoff record: 25-43
State championships: 1 (1985)
State championship record: 1-3
Most played rivalry: 93 meetings with Payson dating back to 1909. Springville leads 55-31-7. Last met in 2010.
Felt’s Factoid(s): After leading Springville to the state championship, Scott Mitchell, the 1985 MVP, went on to a stellar career at Utah, where he still holds 25 school records. ... Springville holds the record for fewest passing yards allowed in a playoff game: The Red Devils held Sky View to minus-3 passing yards in a first-round game in 1985. … Springville is the only school to have more than one player return an interception 100 yards. Robbie Gueck accomplished the feat in 2000 and Trevor Church did it in 2010.
Felts Facts for East High School
All-time record: 550-351-31 (102 years)
Region championships: 34 (1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923 co, 1925 co, 1926, 1929 co, 1934, 1935, 1936 co, 1937 co, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1996, 2006 co, 2007 co, 2011, 2013, 2015)
Playoff appearances: 43
Current playoff appearance streak: 6 (2010-2015)
All-time playoff record: 54-27-2
State championships: 15 (1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1943, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1974, 1996)
State championship record: 12-4-1
Most played rivalry: 111 meetings with West dating back to 1914. East leads 60-45-7. Last met in 2012.
Felt’s Factoid(s): East has the most consecutive non-losing seasons with 37, from 1932-1968. ... East also has the most state championships, 15, since state playoffs began in 1919. ... East is tied for the state record (with Skyline) for winning consecutive championship games, five (1919-23). … East scored a state-record 693 points during the 2013 season. The Leopards also returned seven interceptions for touchdowns that season, another state record…. East tied, with Riverton, the state single-game rushing yard record, 657, in 2013…. Leopard Gene Livingston has the longest-standing state records, all set in 1919: single-game rushing TDs and touchdowns scored (10) and single-game points (60), … Ula Tolutau ran for at least 100 yards 13 times in 2013, another state record for the Leopards.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney