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SPANISH FORK — Maple Mountain posted five touchdowns in the second half to defeat Viewmont 35-13 in Friday night's first round of the 5A playoffs.
Held scoreless for the game's first 26 minutes, head coach Kalin Hall credited a newfound "sense of urgency" in firing up the Golden Eagles to storm back down the stretch.
"We didn't change any plays, we didn't change any philosophy, we didn't change any game plan, we just asked the young men to have a sense of urgency on every play, and to play like it may be their last play," Hall said. "When that happened, everyone executed. When we executed, our kids played pretty good football."
Running back Nic Hofheins tallied a hat trick with three rushing touchdowns on the evening for Maple Mountain. And quarterback Banks Jackson found receivers Easton Merrell and Sawyer Leifson for scores, as well.
Even with the offensive explosion in the second half, Hall felt the team's defense paved the way to victory from start to finish.
"Our defense has played phenomenal all year long," Hall said. "They played assignment sound, very aggressive and physical. Our young men do what we ask them to do and do it at 100 miles an hour. ... This was an amazing turnaround from where we've been the last couple of years."
For Viewmont, Kingston Mickens found the end zone just before halftime on a 45-yard pass from Daren Tovey, with Carson Tovey later connecting with Jordan Jones for another touchdown in the Vikings loss.
Earning a playoff win just a year removed from a 1-9 campaign, Maple Mountain will face Box Elder on the road next weekend in the second round of 5A postseason action.
"We're just trying to get these young people to realize that every opportunity you get you should relish, and to take advantage of the small victories," Hall said. "Most people would quit if they had to do what I've asked of these young men since January, but that's the type of program we're working towards. We're not there yet, but we're building something special."
