It was a streak play. Jameson Hartman cut wide and locked eyes with D.J. Nelson, who threw him the ball, allowing the receiver a clear path to the end zone.

That was in fifth grade, the first time Nelson-to-Hartman went for a score.

The final time will stand as Friday in the Class 4A state championship game, which Logan won 18-11 over East.

It was a streak play.

With 36 seconds left, Hartman hadn't caught one pass. Nelson had struggled to complete seven.

Nelson, the younger brother of Brigham Young quarterback Riley Nelson, set a state record a week earlier for total offense with 606 yards against Bountiful. But he verged on an inglorious ending to his career.

"D.J. knows what to do when the time is right," Hartman said.

Logan trailed 11-10 in an unlikely defensive battle and faced second down-and-40. Hartman was playing in just his fourth game after snapping his tibia and fibula during soccer season.

"I just thought, 'He's fast,' and threw it up for him, and he ran under it," Nelson said. "It was great."

For some.

East quarterback Jason Cook, after his ensuing Hail Mary attempts fell harmlessly to the ground, dropped to the ground with deep, choking sobs.

Riley Nelson, standing on the Grizzlies' sideline in his Logan letterman jacket and Tom Cruise sunglasses, exulted.

"It was like watching little league," Riley Nelson said. "Those two have played together since they were 7 years old."

D.J. Nelson's greatest triumph came in one of his worst games. The Utah State commit was held to just 33 rushing yards and 135 passing, completely different from his dynamic outing in the Grizzlies' 46-14 win over East on Oct. 19.

Cook calmly guided East as it dominated time of possession, 32:51 to 15:09. But East settled for three Gavin Van Minde field goals and a safety.

A 22-yard field goal with 7:21 left gave the Leopards a one-point lead. Logan drove into East territory, but came up empty after a 51-yard field goal attempt by kicker Jake Thompson.

"I was devastated," junior defensive end Caden Anderson said.

East assistant coaches rushed from the press box to get to the field in time for the beginning of the celebration.

But Logan's offense got one final chance, a drive that started with 2:09 left in the game.

"I felt like they had more fire in their eyes," Anderson said.

And then the call came for Nelson to find Hartman, the first option on the play.

It was practically elementary.

boram@sltrib.com —

Highlights

R D.J. Nelson joins his father, Keith, and brother, Riley, as members of his family who have led Logan to a state championship.

• Nelson is held to just 168 yards of total offense after setting a state record with 606 in Logan's 4A semifinal win against Bountiful.

• East runs 25 more plays than Logan and dominates time of possession, but the Grizzlies make timely big plays to beat the Leopards for the second time this season.

Photo gallery • For more photos of the game, visit tribpreps.com