4A high school football preview: Timpanogos at Bountiful

Timpanogos (4-6) at Bountiful (6-4)

4A state tournament first round

Friday, 5 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Bountiful by 31

All-time series: Bountiful leads 4-1

Coach vs. coach: First meeting between Timpanogos' Ed Larson and Bountiful's Larry Wall

Last meeting: Aug. 24, 2001, Bountiful 38, Timpnogos 19

By mid-September, the 2011 season did not look promising for the traditionally solid Bountiful football team.

The 1-3 start, however, did not alarm head coach Larry Wall.

"We played some awfully tough teams," he said.

And in retrospect, the Braves did in fact lose to some impressive squads — Lone Peak, Logan and a close one to crosstown rival Viewmont.

Bountiful had just one loss in region play, and that was to East.

"We probably dropped one to Viewmont that we shouldn't have," said Wall. "But then we had a quality win over Highland."

In fact, holding the defending 4A champions to just three points in that victory is something the coach said helped his team play at an even higher level.

"The Highland win was a really good confidence builder for us," he said. "It was really kind of a must win. The way they structure the regions now, you can't lose but one or two games and be where you want to be. We were both undefeated at the time."

The team relies on the leadership of Luke Larsen, a senior captain, cornerback and wide receiver, Rylee Gautavai, a junior inside linebacker, and quarterback Cam Zollinger.

"They're not 'Listen to me!' kind of guys, they lead by example," said Wall. They're always kind of the extra effort guys. They were elected captains, so they have the confidence of their teammates."

Zollinger is effective as a passer with 10 touchdowns this season, but the Braves can really move the ball on the ground.

Junior running back Jakob Hunt has accumulated 775 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns on the ground. The second leading scorer in rushing touchdowns is senior Teau Satuala.

The Braves played their first three games without Satuala, one of the team's best athletes. He came back week four and since then he's helped the team's running game, as well as toughened up the defense.

"A lot of it was chemistry," said Wall of Satuala, who in addition to being talented is "tough and aggressive."

The Braves are expecting a huge challenge in Timpanogos, a team that finished the season with a win over Orem.

"I just know what I see on film," he said. "They look like a pretty quality outfit, pretty dangerous. They throw the ball very well; they have a good quarterback, good receivers and good size. They played right with Timpview."

The Timberwolves are led by Kaden Bramall, quarterback, whose thrown for 1,610 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running backs Max Hill, Morgan Dickerson, as well as Bramall, help the team move the ball on the ground.

Wall said he feels good about where his team is at as they head into the playoffs — despite the rough start.

"We've won five of the last six," he said, "and that's kind of where you want to be this time of year."

Timpanogos statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 24.5 ppg

Scoring defense: 25.8 ppg