With 3.8 seconds left and everything on the line, West Field’s defense stood tall as the Longhorns kept Viewmont out of the end zone on the final play of the game to capture a thrilling 41-34 victory Friday night in the first round of the 5A state playoffs.
The victory was a historic one, as it was the first playoff win in school history for West Field and sets up a Region 5 showdown and rematch with Box Elder.
“We didn’t play our best the past two games, so we came in looking to turn it around and make up for that, and that’s exactly what we did,” said West field wide receiver Gavin Ortegon.
“We had a great week of practice, and we knew coming in that it’s win or go home. There are no second chances and you have to leave it all out on the field.”
“It’s exhilarating to win a playoff game, especially a game like tonight,” said West Field head coach Eric Jones. “My heart breaks for Viewmont knowing their season is over.
“It’s always tough to watch kids play their last football games and to do it against one of my best friends (Viewmont coach Dru Jones) is hard. Viewmont is a great team and very talented, but I’m happy to see our guys fight through the adversity and get the win.”
Early on it looked like the game was going to be a blowout after West field went up 14-0 early in the first quarter.
The first touchdown came as quarterback Easton Eilertson found Ortegon over the middle for a 14-yard score. The touchdown was set up by Drew Combe, as the freshman stepped in front of a Vikings pass for an interception on Viewmont’s first drive of the game.
The second drive didn’t fare any better for Viewmont as it ended the same way, only this time it was West Field defensive tackle Isaiah Rodrigues who picked off the pass to give the Longhorns the ball on the 41-yard line for the second straight possession.
They made the most of the turnover once again as Eilertson found Ortegon over the middle for a 23-yard touchdown to give West Field a two-touchdown lead.
The potential blowout quickly fizzled out as the Vikings scored less than 30 seconds later on a double pass trick play, with Brett Tovey finding Jayson Dunroe down the right sideline to cut the deficit to 14-7.
Faced with a fourth and 1 situation from its own 44-yard line, West Field decided to go for it and was able to get Viewmont to jump offside to extend the drive.
The Longhorns capitalized as Eilertson found Ortegon once again for a touchdown, giving the junior a hat trick in the first quarter.
But from that point on, Viewmont’s defense tightened up as it held West Field scoreless in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Viewmont’s offense got rolling as the Vikings scored two touchdowns to go into the half tied at 21.
The Vikings ran the wildcat and Tovey scored from 9 yards out, and then wide receiver Jayson Dunroe caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jack Savage with 20 seconds left in the second quarter.
The rest of the game went back and forth as both sides took turns taking the lead, but no play was bigger than a pick-6 from Logan McClure to help give the Longhorns enough momentum to hold on for the win.
With Viewmont driving and looking to score and take back the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, McClure sniffed out a screen pass and made not only a terrific catch, but an even better return as he weaved in and out of traffic and eventually found his way into the end zone to give the Longhorns a 34-27 lead — a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.