Timpview football gets key stops to win at Lone Peak
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- Timpview defensive back Aisa Galea’i intercepts a pass during the non-region game against Lone Peak in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Timpview players sack the Lone Peak quarterback during the non-region game in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Lone Peak receiver Logan Hofheins hauls in a touchdown pass during the non-region game against Timpveiw in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- A Timpview defender knocks the ball away from a Lone Peak receiver during the non-region game in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- A Lone Peak defender drags down a Timpview running back in the backfield during the non-region game in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Lone Peak running back Brooks Wilde runs the ball up the field during the non-region game against Timpveiw in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Lone Peak wide receiver Logan Hofheins (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the non-region game in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- A Lone Peak defender tackles a Timpview running back during the non-region game in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Timpview quarterback Helaman Casuga throws a pass during the non-region game against Lone Peak in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Timpview players take the field before the non-region game against Lone Peak in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
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- Lone Peak players take the field before the non-region game against Timpview in Highland on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.
The first 20 minutes of Friday’s non-region high school football game at Lone Peak was nearly a complete disaster for the visitors from Timpview.
The Thunderbirds had tossed a pair of interceptions, revived a Knight drive that should’ve been over because of a roughing-the-punter penalty, and had a miscommunication result in Lone Peak recovering a pooch kickoff.
Three of those miscues turned into Knight touchdown passes and while Timpview had gotten in the end zone once, it still trailed 21-7.
But the Thunderbirds weren’t panicking.
“It was crazy, going back and forth,” Timpview senior defensive back Haven Halladay said. “Our defense this game was up to us. We had to get us back into the game and we came through. We stayed locked in and played to the end.”
Instead, the Thunderbird defense started making big plays, holding Lone Peak to just one more score the rest of the way as Timpview rallied to get the thrilling 31-28 win.
“I wanted them to battle,” Thunderbird head coach Donny Atuaia said. “I think it showed the resiliency of this team. We were down but we were able to bounce back. We had tons of dumb mistakes and that’s something we need to figure out. But we love these kids and to see them do what they did tonight was great.”
It didn’t take the visitors long to erase the early Knight lead, scoring on a 56-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Helaman Casuga to sophomore Kennan Pula, getting the ball back on an interception by Halladay, then adding another TD on a 21-yard run by senior Tru To’a.
Lone Peak was in position to go back in front right before halftime but Timpview sophomore defensive back Aisa Galea’i stepped in front and snatched away a pass in the end zone, ending the threat.
“The biggest luck we had was being tied at halftime,” Atuaia said. “It could’ve been way worse. We had to dig out but I’m grateful things went our way.”
Both teams added a touchdown in the third quarter, setting up the drama of the final period.
Timpview got a 31-yard field goal from sophomore Luke Thornock early in the fourth quarter to go in front, and that was when the Thunderbird defense stood tall.
Lone Peak had four opportunities to retake the lead, but Timpview stopped the Knights twice on fourth down and Halladay had another key interception on a deep pass.
“I just did what I was coached to do,” Halladay said. “I stayed under the post route and caught the pick. It was so sick. It was awesome to be able to do that for my team.”
Lone Peak had one final play to go the length of the field but the Thunderbird defense got a hit on the quarterback, disrupting the throw and preventing any last-gasp Hail Mary completion.
“The defense stepped it up big time,” Atuaia said. “Our defensive staff made adjustments. They had opportunities, but we made plays and did what we had to do to win.”
Halladay said he felt like Timpview demonstrated what it is capable of doing this fall.
“It was really big because we are 5A while Lone Peak is 6A,” Halladay said. “They came in strong after whipping Bingham, but we showed them who Timpview is.”
While Knight head coach Bart Brockbank would’ve loved to see his team come away victorious, he felt like there were some key lessons for his squad to learn from the loss.
“It was a well-fought game, but I’m very disappointed in how many mental mistakes we made,” Brockbank said. “I’m proud of how they gutted it out and had chances to go win it. Our defense looked a little out of sorts and there are definitely some adjustments we need to make, but to me the mental mistakes is unlike football here at Lone Peak and that was frustrating.”
Timpview (1-1) now prepares for its crosstown rivalry showdown at Provo on Aug. 25, while Lone Peak (1-1) plays at Corner Canyon the same evening.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
