High school football: Darts win rivalry vs. Viewmont

KAYSVILLE — Someone forgot to tell the Davis Darts and Viewmont Vikings that their rivalry lost some of its meaning when the two schools were split into separate regions during realignment.

It certainly didn't feel that way for the fans who filled every seat inside Davis High's football stadium and the ones who were lined up a few yards deep outside the field's surrounding fence. It definitely didn't lose its luster for the players and coaches who competed in the Darts' 13-0 victory on Friday night.

"We're out of each other's regions, but anything can happen when we have a good Davis-Viewmont game," said Darts coach Ryan Bishop. "We've had 3-0 games with them, we've had 37-30 games with them. It's been back and forth. You can throw out a lot of things when you play those rivalry games."

The latest installment consisted mostly of the Darts' defense throwing Viewmont's offense around, and it was as one-sided as the overall rivalry. Davis improved its record to 31-12-1 against the Vikings.

"It's still big-time meaningful," Darts standout defensive end Troy Hinds said of the Davis-Viewmont rivalry. "Too bad it's preseason now, but it's still the same thing. A lot of fans came out. It was good."

The game was a quasi season opener for the Darts, who played a half of football against Brighton last week before the lights malfunctioned and the second half was canceled with the teams tied 0-0. This time, Davis turned the lights off on Viewmont before the sun set.

The Darts scored all of their points in the first half, getting a 31-yard field goal and a 24-yard field goal from Chance Parker. In the second quarter, Tyson Denney tossed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Karter Chisholm. On a play called 68-switch, Chisholm found himself wide open before hauling in the pass and working for the last few yards to paydirt.

Big plays were few and far between for the Darts, and Chisholm knew where credit was due for his team's victory — the defense. Davis held Viewmont without a first down on the Vikings' first four possessions, and allowed just 16 yards in the first half.

Hinds and Rossiter Potter each had two sacks, and forced Viewmont's offense out of sync throughout the night.

"Our defense did amazing," Chisholm said. "Our defense did exactly what they were supposed to do."

Davis' offense was fairly decent between the 20s, as Logan Thomas rushed for 100 yards and Mark Christiansen gained 94 rushing yards. But the Darts were subpar near the redzone as penalties and sloppy execution stymied drives. Davis also missed three field goals.

"I honestly felt really good about some things offensively," Bishop said.. "We had a real problem with finishing. That's something that as we get into league play we absolutely have to figure out against teams in our region..

"In the end, the kids battled and played hard. (After) only playing a half of football last week? We'll take it."

Email: aaragon@desnews.com