The Bountiful football team’s unlikely run to the state title game came to end on the campus of the University of Utah Nov. 17.

Looking for their first state football championship in 20 years, the Redhawks advanced to the Class 5A state championship game at Rice-Eccles Stadium but fell just shy of bringing home the prize. The Redhawks couldn’t quite get the victory, losing to Timpview 23-15. 

Seeded 10th, Bountiful gave the No. 1 seed Timpview Thunderbirds everything they could handle in the eight-point game. Early on, it looked as though Bountiful might be in trouble to Timpview, a team that captured its 12th state championship. The Thunderbirds were up 16-0 at halftime after kicking a successful field goal with seconds left in the first half. Bountiful was struggling on offense, and it looked as though the magic the team had used to upset two other higher-seeded teams had run out. 

But the Redhawks made a game of it. 

Freddie Fekitoa’s 32-yard touchdown run with 8:49 left in the third quarter, along with Emerson Geilman’s run for a two-point conversion, put the Redhawks in striking distance, down 16-8. Timpview responded with a touchdown just a minute later to make it 23-8, but Bountiful didn’t allow a point the rest of the way. Needing two scores and a two-point conversion to tie, the Redhawks got back on the board with 2:54 left to play when Faletau Satuala took a pass from Geilman 20 yards into the end zone. Landon Zayas’ kick made it 23-15. 

Bountiful got the ball back with a chance to tie, but Timpview made a key fourth-down stop to secure the win. 

Siaki Fekitoa had 13 carries for 148 yards. Geilman had 13 carries for 61 yards and threw for 128 yards on 12 of 25 passing. Bountiful out rushed Timpview 274-49. Satuala led Bountiful with five catches for 82 yards. Jacob Brooks had four grabs for 28 yards, and four other Redhawks caught a pass. Caleb Norris had a big defensive game with 10 tackles and an interception. Britton Tidwell also had an interception as well as five tackles. Brigham Morrison had six tackles and a sack, while Evan DeHart led the Redhawks with 11 stops. 

It was tough to barely miss out on a state championship, but Bountiful has plenty to be proud of. 

After placing in a tie for second in Region 5, the Redhawks played their best ball of the year when it mattered most, as they marched to the state title game. The Redhawks were clutch, winning a pair of playoff games by one point. Bountiful finished the season with a 10-5 record, winning its most games since the 2003 team went 12-2 and won the Class 4A state championship. 

There are plenty of reasons to be excited for next season if you’re a Bountiful fan. 

The Redhawks return several key players, including Geilman, who will be a senior for the 2024 season. The quarterback threw for 2,950 yards on 60% completions. He threw 23 touchdowns on the year and rushed for 304 yards and two more scores. Siaki Fekitoa is only a sophomore. The running back led the team with 1,086 yards and 14 touchdowns. Junior Damon Manwill rushed for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Britton Tidwell had 27 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he paced the Redhawks with eight interceptions (tied for second in the state) and had 85 tackles and a sack. 

Juniors Joshua Liljenquist and Brock McSwain both had 93 tackles and will be back to help lead the defense. They both had interceptions, while Liljenquist had three sacks and McSwain one on the year. Caleb Norris will also be an important returner in 2024 after picking up 62 tackles, five sacks and an interception this season.