BOUNTIFUL — Bountiful High quarterback Ty Talbot had spent Friday night doing his best to orchestrate the Braves to a win over cross-town rival Viewmont High. By handing off, running or throwing, Talbot helped the Braves into a 23-21 lead with 3:03 to play.

It was then the senior had his biggest play of the night.

The quarterback/punter needed to pin the Vikings deep into their own territory to help seal the win, Talbot waited for the snap.

“I was nervous for sure,” Talbot said. “I’ve been working on catching the ball and keeping my head down and getting the punt away. That’s all I was worried about.”

About the same time, Bountiful lineman Thomas Hamilton was thinking about nothing but doing his job.

“Coach always tells us to just do our jobs and everything will work out,” Thomas said.

The ball was snapped, Talbot caught it, watched the ball and his foot connect and he knew it was a good one.

“It felt good coming off my foot, but I couldn’t find the ball so I wasn’t completely sure until I heard our crowd cheering that I’d had a good punt.”

The punt of nearly 60 yards pinned Viewmont on its 20, and despite a heroic effort the Vikings’ final drive stalled and Bountiful escaped for the second week in a row over a cross-town rival.

“Ty is a tough kid,” said Bountiful coach Larry Wall. “I’ll have the ball in his hands any time with the game on the line.”

The game was another wild time on the hill as Viewmont struck first when Viking Dustin Grigg went off for a 45-yard strike. Austin Duncan made good on the PAT and Viewmont led 7-0 early.

Just before halftime, Talbot found Ben Lemon for a nine-yard score. Spencer Mohlman’s kick made the game 7-7 at the break.

On its first possession of the third quarter, Bountiful put another seven points on the board as Talbot who finished with 147 yards passing on the night, found a streaking Ryen Pope for a 75-yard score.

Mitch Johnson later pounded in a score from one yard out and the Braves looked as if they would put away Viewmont.

Anthony Tuli helped the Vikings get back within striking distance with his 21 yard scamper.

Mohlman’s 27-yard field goal put Viewmont into a 23-14 hole, but the Vikes’ quarterback Jeremy Lieber (total of 162 yards passing) pushed the ball over from 2 yards out to give his team a pulse.

After holding Bountiful, Talbot’s punt sealed the night for Viewmont.

Two big interceptions helped Bountiful during the game. In the first quarter with Viewmont threatening, Dillon Salazar picked off a pass on the 2 yard line and in the third quarter it was Connor Winters, playing with a broken hand, who somehow came away with a one-handed pick to stop another Viewmont drive.

“Those are two big plays for us,” Wall said. “Connor’s out there playing with one hand and Salazar’s play saved us early.”

Viewmont coach Brad Lloyd said, “I'm really proud of these guys, we didn't give up.

“It was a classic Bountiful-Viewmont game.

“ They made some big plays and at times we had a hard time stopping them for a couple of series, but the guys gutted it out and I’m really proud of them.”

TJ Farr was leader on the ground with 136 yards for Bountiful.

sschulte@davisclipper.com