High school football 4A playoffs: Bountiful at Bonneville

Bountiful (9-1) at Bonneville (6-4)

4A state tournament first round

Friday, 5 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Bountiful by 6

All-time series: Bountiful leads 13-2

Coach vs. Coach: Bountiful's Larry Wall leads Bonneville's Matt Williams, 3-0

Last meeting: Sept. 12, 2008 — Bountiful 17, Bonneville 0

The pairings may have been done by the UHSAA long before the 2009 season began, but that doesn't make it any easier to fathom that a 9-1 Bountiful Braves football team would be forced to open the 4A state playoffs on the road to a 6-4 Bonneville team. Even if it seems a little harsh, you won't hear a complaint coming from the Braves.

"That was all predetermined," said Bountiful coach Larry Wall. "With the two teams both taking second in region, one of us was going to have to go on the road.

"Of course we would rather play at home, but we have been a good road team all year," added Wall. "We didn't lose on the road, so I expect our guys to come out and play well again despite having to travel to their place. We will come out and make the best of it."

For much of the year, Bountiful looked like the team to beat in 4A. The Braves opened the year with a win over Lone Peak, a victory that has become all that more impressive as the Knights' season progressed. If not for a mishandled punt that led to a safety against Highland that led to a 9-7 loss, Bountiful may still be unblemished. But Wall and his team know that what happened before has no bearing on these playoffs.

"We have a lot of kids that have been two-year starters for us, and they felt unsatisfied last year when we lost in the first round (to Highland 12-10)," said Wall. "They feel like there is some unfinished business out there and I think they are going to try to come out and handle it."

Quarterback Tyler Talbot, Ben Lemon and Helam Heimuli were part of that crew that felt the sting of last year's loss, and those three have been helping prepare the team both on and off the field for a deep run this season.

"Tyler, Lemon and Heimuli have been great leaders for us this year," Wall added. "Their play has been outstanding, and they have really stepped up for us."

For Bountiful to live up to its playoff hopes, Wall feels there are a few things the team must do.