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BOUNTIFUL — Bountiful continued its strong start to the season with a thrilling 17-12 victory over Farmington in a much-anticipated rivalry game Friday night.
The matchup, held at Bountiful High, was charged with energy as both teams entered the game with something to prove. Bountiful, riding high after a 27-9 season-opening win over Herriman, aimed to maintain their momentum, while Farmington sought redemption following a tough loss to Roy.
As the sun fell below the horizon, a cool breeze swept across the field, setting the stage for a classic high school football showdown.
The Redhawks wasted no time getting on the board. Just four minutes into the first quarter, quarterback Emerson Geilman connected with wide receiver Brock McSwain for a 39-yard touchdown pass, sending the home crowd into an eruption of cheers.
The student sections on both sides were in full force, trading chants as the game unfolded. But it was Bountiful's defense that set the tone early, stifling Farmington's offense and preventing them from gaining any significant yardage.
Geilman, a dual-threat quarterback, showcased his versatility throughout the game, proving to be a formidable challenge for Farmington's defense. With 3:11 left in the first quarter, Bountiful's Landon Zayas extended the lead to 10-0 with a 50-yard field goal, further solidifying the Redhawks' dominance.
Farmington, however, refused to back down.
Early in the second quarter, their defense came alive, with Jett Salmon delivering a crucial sack on fourth down to give the Phoenix possession. Farmington capitalized on the opportunity with a 52-yard field goal, narrowing the gap to 10-3.
The game remained a hard-fought battle, with neither team willing to give an inch.
Just before halftime, Farmington recovered a Bountiful fumble, setting up quarterback Will Peterson for a game-tying touchdown pass to Afu Fiefia. The score stood at 10-all as both teams headed to the locker rooms, setting up an intense second half.
Bountiful's defense continued to dominate in the third quarter, with standout performances from players like Siaki Fekitoa, who consistently disrupted Farmington's offensive efforts. Early in the fourth quarter, Geilman handed off to Fekitoa at the 5-yard line, who powered his way into the end zone, giving the Redhawks a 17-10 lead.
Farmington's hopes for a comeback were dashed when Peterson threw two interceptions in the final minutes of the game. The second pick, hauled in by Connor Mertz, sealed the victory for Bountiful.
"I was very motivated and locked in before the game hoping to make plays," Mertz said. "I'm just that boy," expressing his confidence in securing the win.
Despite the loss, Farmington's defense showed resilience, securing a safety late in the game to bring the final score to 17-12.
"I think we knew that they were going to come for this rivalry, and that it was going to be a great game," Geilman said. "They were going to be very physical, and they did not disappoint. Shout out to Farmington, they played a very good game."
Geilman said his team played together, which helped in the win.
"I think the unity on our team and just how much we come together when times get tough — we have each other's backs — and I think that's what we did tonight," Geilman said. "I'm excited to get back at it with my brothers and my best friends and work my tail off every week, and just try to put it all out there this year."
With the win, Bountiful improves to 2-0 run and will look to extend their winning streak against Olympus next week at home. Meanwhile, Farmington, still searching for their first win, will host the Orem Tigers as they aim to turn their season around.
— BHS Redhawks Football (@RedhawksBhs) August 24, 2024
