Springville » Can a team with 19 penalties and two turnovers look this efficient? Springville found a way Friday afternoon and won its first playoff game since 2005 in the process.
The self-inflicted wounds were marginalized, and the Red Devils dispatched Sky View 35-14 behind three Alema Key touchdowns in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs.
The turnovers? An opening-drive march was nullified by an end zone interception, and a second-quarter fumble was canceled by a Red Devil interception the next play. The penalties? The ones on offensive gave Key and Marcus Case more yardage to gain.
"Overcoming the turnovers is a credit to how we've matured as a team," said Springville coach Scott Mitchell. "We're able to not let things get us down."
Springville (9-1) scored on four consecutive possessions, as Mitchell switched the focus from the pass to the run. Marcus Case did most of his damage outside of the 20s en route to a 139-yard effort, while Key scored twice out of the wildcat formation, in addition to a 12-yard screen pass from Steve Bate in the second quarter.
The Red Devils racked up 234 yards on the ground.
"We're a throwing team, and to be able to come out and be this successful on the ground is a good thing," Mitchell said. "I like to throw the ball, so I was having a hard time watching all that running."
When Bate (123 yards) did throw, the sophomore
Sky View quarterback Kyler Carlsen finished with 251 yards, but completed just 19 of 40 passes. Each of his scores was quickly answered by the Red Devils.
Springville got a 10-point swing on the final play of the first half when Taylor Baker caught a blocked Bobcat field goal in midair, caught a couple of blocks and outran the Sky View pursuit for a 99-yard touchdown to make it 28-7.
"That's a huge play going into halftime," Mitchell said. "When a team like Mountain View can score points, you take advantage of every opportunity."
Springville will host Woods Cross or Provo next week.
Springville wins its postseason game since 2005.
» Springville puts the game away on the final play of first half whenTaylor Baker catches a blocked Sky View field goal and returns it 99-yards to make it 28-7.
» Alema Key scores three touchdowns for Springville.
Springville wins its first tourney game since 2005.




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