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.