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LAYTON — There was no better place to be on a Friday night than a drizzly high school football stadium in Layton, where the Logan Grizzlies and Northridge Knights kicked off the 2013 high school season.
The Logan team was led by — what seems to be an endless supply of Nelsons — Chase Nelson, the Grizzlies starting quarterback. He is the little brother of D.J. and Riley — who is Logan's offensive coordinator this year.
Each older brother was a state champion and the expectations are large for a quarterbacking Nelson. If first games are any indication, Chase will be just fine.
Nelson threw for 370 yards on 23-of-33 passing. He tossed four touchdowns, but did throw a pair of picks. He also led the team in rushing with 72 yards and a score.
In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Logan had the ball and a two-point lead — 34-32. It was third down and a half-yard, when Riley called Chase to the sidelines and called his little brother's number.
I kind of had a feeling, I'm not going to say I didn't.
–Chase Nelson, Logan Quarterback
"I didn't listen to my brother," Chase said. "I was supposed to run dive and I thought I checked into a better play."
Nelson was sacked and Logan had to punt.
On the sidelines, Riley gave a stern lecture to Chase.
"He wants what's best for me, so I try to keep that in mind," said Chase.
Northridge got the ball back and marched the ball down the field. Northridge quarterback Nate Kusuda found Austin Ricks for the short 3-yard touchdown and a 38-34 lead.
With 1:38 remaining and no time-outs, Chase threw his fourth TD of the night to Hartman Rector with :36 seconds remaining.
Northridge would miss a 40-yard field goal as time expired. The older brother was confident in his baby brother — who, as a senior, was starting his first varsity game at quarterback.
"I knew he had it in him and I knew he would respond," said Riley. "It's easy to say in hindsight, but it really wasn't a question of if, but a question of how on that last drive."
Chase felt the same way, "I kind of had a feeling, I'm not going to say I didn't."
