Orem holds off rival Timpview to take sole possession of first place in Region 7
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- Orem defenders gang tackle Timpview’s Dennis Tuaone during a 5A high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Timpview’s Tj Tuha runs the ball in the second half of a 5A high school football game against Orem Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Orem quarterback Tanner Lewis throws the football in the second half of a 5A high school football game against Timpview Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Timpview’s Lolua Moungaloa hauls in a catch in the second half of a 5A high school football game against Orem Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Orem quarterback Tanner Lewis is sacked by a defender in the second half of a 5A high school football game against Timpview Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Orem’s Makai Gordon (left) and Brooks Ross celebrate a touchdown in the first half of 5A high school football game against Timpview Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Orem and Timpview compete in the first half of a 5A high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Orem Tigers fans cheer on their team in the second half of a 5A high school football game against Timpview Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
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- Timpview students celebrate a touchdown in the first half of a 5A high school football game against Orem Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Provo.
In coach Andy Stokes’ return to his old stomping grounds at Timpview Friday night, his Orem Tigers were welcomed with the biggest test they’ve faced in their Region 7 slate this season.
The No. 3 team in the UHSAA’s 5A RPI was challenged by the physicality of the 10th-ranked Thunderbirds, who managed to slow the Tigers’ rushing attack and force them into a defensive battle.
A go-ahead field goal in the third quarter and the effort of the Tigers’ defense, which included a trio of second-half turnovers, ultimately made the difference for Orem. They escaped Provo with a 17-14 win.
“This game’s a good game, man,” said Stokes, who was head coach at Timpview from 2018 to 2021, about the rivalry matchup. “Our kids didn’t play very well tonight, but at the end, we had each other’s back in the most crucial moments.”
After Adrian Sanchez booted a 32-yard field goal to put the Tigers ahead, Timpview crossed into Orem territory three times, and each time the Tigers’ defense came up with critical stops to maintain the lead.
In the third quarter, Orem recovered a Matt Manuma fumble at the 25-yard line. In the fourth quarter, Kaio Akana and Britton Johnson each notched interceptions, the latter coming on a desperation fourth-down heave to seal the game.
“We made a lot of mistakes on those very same plays in the first half,” Stokes said. “We went into the locker room, the defensive coaches cleaned that stuff up, and the kids responded right. They got their eyes where they were supposed to get their eyes, and they got in the right spots. So you got to be proud of everybody.”
With the win, Orem took sole possession of first place in Region 7 with a 3-0 record (4-2) overall, and Timpview dropped to 2-1 in region play (3-4).
Timpview coach Travis Uale said his team is “really close” to putting it all together, but that they were slowed by mistakes. Yellow flags littered the field Friday as though it was a Week 1 matchup, with many penalties hurting the T-Birds at critical times.
In the third quarter, a hit on a defenseless player on third-and-long gave Orem an automatic first down and set up the game-winning field goal. In Timpview’s final possession, they reached Orem’s 35-yard line with just over a minute remaining, but Manuma was called for intentional grounding while trying to avoid a sack, forcing the T-birds into a difficult spot behind the chains.
“With our quarterback play, we need to be smarter,” Uale said. “We need to clean up some things on the O-line. We had two guys go out, so it’s difficult, especially when (Pataleone Tuitupou), one of our leaders, goes down. So we need to regroup, get our personnel correct, and I think we’ll be all right.”
Uale, however, was pleased with how his defense sized up against the talented Tiger offensive line.
“Areas for improvement there too. But overall, if you look at the stats, I think our defensive line, our linebackers played the run well,” he said. “That’s probably the best line in 5A or even in the state. And to be able to hold the run game to what we did, I was proud of the defense.”
Timpview started the scoring on its opening drive when Manuma connected with Lolua Moungaloa for a 4-yard touchdown pass. The T-Birds defense forced a turnover on the next possession but was unable to turn it into points.
Orem’s first score came on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Lewis to Brooks Ross in the second quarter. Late in the half, Timpview’s Dennis Tuaone broke tackles and sprinted down the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown. Orem responded with a 26-yard touchdown, again from Lewis to Ross.
The explosive plays on both sides were limited in the second half. But it was the Tigers who made enough big stops to get the win.
“This defense is incredible,” Stokes said. “They’re going to wear you out just because they’re really good up front. So eventually, you’re going to get tired, and they’re going to start winning.”
Moments after a tough win in the middle of region play, Stokes was not in a nostalgic mood about his time at Timpview, where he guided the T-Birds to back-to-back state title appearances in 2019 and 2020. He said the game was not about him.
“This is about Orem, man,” he said. “About these kids, and it’s been about these kids all year long. This is just another game for me. I’m an old man. There’s nothing nostalgic for me here. I just love these kids, and I want these kids to be successful.”
Orem 17, Timpview 14
Orem 0 14 3 0
Timpview 7 7 0 0
T- Moungaloa 4 pass from Manuma (Baird kick)
O-Ross 31 pass from Lewis (Sanchez kick)
T-Tuaone 69 pass from Manuma (Baird kick)
O-Ross 26 pass from Lewis (Sanchez kick)
O-Sanchez 32 kick
