Timpview football wins rematch with Springville, advances to 5A quarterfinals
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- Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i tries to avoid a tackle during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview players celebrate after junior Kolomona Kahanu (24) scored a touchdown on an interception return during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview defensive back Kennan Pula tries to grab an interception during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview freshman Dennis Tua’one returns a kickoff during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville senior Drake Peterson catches a pass during the 5A second round game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i runs the ball up the field during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview senior Soakai Aston throws a pass during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville quarterback Easton Leavitt throws a pass during the 5A second round game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville senior Reid Deede catches a pass during the 5A second round game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview junior Taimani Tela tackles a Springville ball carrier during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville defenders make a tackle during the 5A second round game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville senior jack Pickering tries to make a catch during the 5A second round game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview junior Aisa Galea’i punts the ball during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville defenders tackles a Timpview ball carrier during the 5A second round game in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville junior Zack Henderson catches a pass while Timpview junior Braxton Wilkerson tries to make a play on the ball during the 5A second round game in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville junior Lisiate Valeti runs the ball up the field during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview senior Soakai Aston carries the ball up the field during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- A Timpview ball carrier takes the ball up the field during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview junior Braxton Wilkerson makes a tackle during the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Timpview players take the field before the 5A second round game against Springville in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- Springville players take the field before the 5A second round game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
When the Timpview football team took on Springville in Region 7 action earlier in the season, the Thunderbirds pretty much had their way as they blanked the Red Devils, 45-0.
So when the two teams got set to face each other in the rematch in Friday’s 5A second-round contest in Provo, both teams knew things were going to be different.
“Springville came out and had a great game plan,” Timpview head coach Donny Atuaia said. “I get it. We knew it wasn’t going to be a shutout again because they were going to come in and play hard. And their QB looked good.”
Instead of the power run game that has been a Springville staple in recent years, the Red Devils threw caution to the wind and went to the air.
And it worked far better, as Springville senior quarterback Easton Leavitt had a big game and connected on three TD passes.
But throwing the ball a lot comes with risks — particularly with Thunderbird junior Aisa Galea’i prowling around.
Galea’i intercepted four passes (and scored two rushing touchdowns) as Timpview forced six Red Devil turnovers on its way to the 59-24 win.
“I think the boys were excited to play after our bye,” Atuaia said. “We’ve had a lot of byes this week this year, so the boys were antsy. And playing any team twice, it’s tough.”
Atuaia said that seeing Galea’i have a big game isn’t surprising because he’s just a tremendous athlete.
“He gets his athleticism from his mom, not his dad,” Atuaia said with a grin. “Aisa is an athlete. He can play on all three sides of the ball, offense, defense and he’s a punter. He does a lot of things for us.
“I can’t say enough about him, because he does all of that in practice. He’s a great leader in that sense. We appreciate everything that he’s done, even from our youth league.”
Galea’i said he’s never had four interceptions in a game but said it was just about doing his job.
“I’m just trying to get the ball back and just go down and score for my team,” Galea’i said. “That’s pretty much what was going through my mind.”
While the junior got the most picks, he was quick to give credit to junior Kolomona Kahanu, who made what he thought was the biggest interception of the game.
With Timpview up just 14-10, Springville got the ball back with a chance to take the lead.
But Kahanu stepped in front of a pass, pulled the ball out of the air and raced 25 yards to the end zone to extend the Thunderbird lead.
“That was a game changer,” Galea’i said. “He just came off the bench and just lit a spark for us. It was really good.”
Atuaia agreed, saying Kahanu made the faith the coaching staff had in him pay off.
“It was huge,” Atuaia said. “They were going after us on defense, maybe things they saw on film. But I thought it was great for our coaches to trust Kolo (Kahanu).”
While Springville kept attacking and put some points on the board, the Timpview offense answered every time.
That included having Galea’i step in at running back and be one of the primary ball carriers in addition to his defensive duties.
“It’s fun,” Galea’i said. “I’ll do whatever it takes just to help my team win. I love my teammates.”
The victory means the No. 4-seeded Thunderbirds advance to the 5A quarterfinals and get one more chance to play on their home field.
“It means everything,” Galea’i said. “It’s going to be great to be here one more time with the seniors.”
Atuaia said it means even more this year because construction meant they didn’t get to play on their home field last season on their way to the 5A state title.
“”ast year didn’t feel like this because we were on a different field,” Atuaia said. “To be here, to hear our home crowd and to be on our own field, this feels good.”
Timpview will host the winner of the contest between No. 5-seed Orem and No. 12-seed West. The Tigers led, 21-19, in the fourth quarter at the Daily Herald’s press deadline.
Score by quarter
Springville 10 14 0 0 — 24
Timpview 14 28 10 7 — 59
T-Jaron Pula 30 pass from Soakai Aston (Luke Thornock kick)
S-Jonathon Zafra 27 field goal
T-Dennis Tua’one 90 kickoff return (Thornock kick)
S-Reid Deede 20 pass from Easton Leavitt (Zafra kick)
T-Kolomona Kahanu 25 interception return (Thornock kick)
T-Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio 30 pass from Aston (Thornock kick)
S-Zach Henderson 30 pass from Leavitt (Zafra kick)
T-Aisa Galea’i 7 run (Thornock kick)
T-Aston 5 run (Thornock kick)
S-Jack Pickering 79 pass from Leavitt (Zafra kick)
T-Galea’i 9 run (Thornock kick)
T-Thornock 20 field goal
T-Braxton Wilkerson 25 pass from Tua’one (Thornock kick)
