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Salem • Both teams came into a Thursday night high school football contest unbeaten in region, and both host Salem Hills and Springville saw its feature running back rip off long runs in the opening moments of the showdown.

But it wouldn't be long before the power pendulum in Region 8 swung completely over to the visiting Red Devils — and stayed there.

Springville (9-0, 6-0) finished off a perfect regular-season record by overwhelming Salem Hills by a 49-14 count as senior tailback Payton Kelepolo pounded through the Skyhawks defense to the tune of 259 yard rushing on 20 carries.

"It starts with out O-line and thoughts of being physical, and that's who he is," said Springville coach Willy Child of Kelepolo.

A 30-yard touchdown run by Kelepolo opened the proceedings for the Red Devils as it took the visitors eight plays to score on their opening possession.

When Salem Hills (6-3, 4-1) got the ball, senior back Vili Wolfgramm tore loose for a 69-yard run — leading to a 7-yard touchdown pass from James Nelson to Coleman Jacklin to tie the score at 7-7.

Wolfgramm and Kelepolo are well acquainted with each other, having played on the same rugby team since the 8th grade.

After the Skyhawks' score, Kelepolo immediately broke off an 80-yard run down the left sideline for a 14-7 lead — and the start of a runaway victory.

"He's one of my good friends from rugby," Kelepolo said. "I couldn't let him do it."

Kelepolo found big holes running to the left side behind senior tackle Andrew Slack and teammates.

When Springville went up 21-7, with the help of a 64-yard pass from Jantsen Thorpe to Brennan Rymer, Kelepolo again went over to Slack's side for a 5-yard touchdown.

"Payton's a really good running back. He can squeeze through any hole and then run people over and get more yards," Slack said.

Behind by two touchdowns, Salem Hills was stymied on its next possession as Slack — playing both ways — burst through for a pair of sacks. His second on that sequence forced a Skyhawks' punt from their own 8.

After Springville returned the punt to the Salem Hills 18, Thorpe hooked up with Rymer for a TD pass on the next play for a 28-7 lead — still early in the second quarter.

Springville's one open spot on the schedule is on the last weekend of the regular season next week. The Red Devils will now head into the postseason as a region champ with a two-week rest period.

"Just practice and get better," said Child of Springville's plans until the playoffs begin. "We really wanted to win region to get two home games. We know whoever we play is going to be really good — we've got to get better." —

Storylines

R Springville running back Payton Kelepolo accumulated 259 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

• Salem Hills' Vili Wolfgramm ran for 123 yards, with 69 coming on his first carry of the game.

• The Red Devils, who have a bye next week, wrapped up the region title and an undefeated regular season with the victory.