Harris-Lake Park upset Boyer Valley in the first round of the 8 Player high school football playoffs 29-26 on Wednesday night in Dunlap. The Wolves, a number four seed, found themselves down 14-0 in the second quarter without starting quarterback Brady Van Iperen, who reinjured an ankle early in the game. Midway through the second quarter the Wolves offense got on the board courtesy of a 19 yard touchdown run by Thor Larson to make it 14-7. The Bulldogs responded with another 10 play touchdown drive but missed a two point conversion to go up 20-7. HLP would then execute a solid two minute offense and score on a 16 yard touchdown run by Dahlton Burdorf to make it a 20-14 game at halftime.
Neither team was able to get into the endzone for most of the third quarter, but the Wolves took the lead late in the quarter as Larson caught a 15 yard touchdown reception off a tip by Jordan Kyle to put HLP up 21-20 after the extra point. Boyer Valley would regain the lead midway through the fourth quarter off a 1 yard touchdown run but miss the two point conversion again, making the score 26-21. The Wolves responded with a seven play drive capped by a four yard rushing touchdown for Larson. Ryan Gembler caught the two point conversion and HLP led 29-26 with 4:00 to go. The Wolves caught a break on the next play by the Bulldogs. BV receiver Calvin Wood made a nice reception near midfield but HLP stripped the ball and recovered on their own 36 yard line. The Wolves burned clock on the next possession but would turn it over on downs at the Boyer Valley five yard line with 27 seconds to go. On the next play Cale Hellinga came up with a big interception to seal the upset win for HLP.
HLP was led offensively by Larson with a 143 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns. The Wolves had 179 yards rushing in the game. On the receiving end, Burdorf threw for 126 of HLP’s 150 yards. He caught the other 24 yards on a pass from Larson. He ran and threw for a touchdown. Gembler had three catches for 51 yard to lead all receivers. Defensively, Hellinga had an interception while Kyle, Kole Ruml, and Keegan Carpenter all had sacks. The Wolves are 6-4 and will play again on Monday night. Boyer Valley’s season ends at 7-3.
