2024 Record: 6-5 overall, 3-3 4A Region 8

Playoffs: No. 12 seed, lost to No. 21 Bear River 23-17 4A first round

Players to Watch: Sr. QB Andrew Hillstead, Sr. LB Marlee Iosefa, Sr. DL Jesse King, Sr. OL Mone and Vini Afu, Sr. CB Noah Torgerson.

Outlook: The Timberwolves have posted four straight winning seasons but weren’t happy with last year’s 6-5 mark, which ended in a first-round upset loss to Bear River.

“We want to bounce back from last year’s disappointing end of our season, losing three straight,” Timpanogos coach Austin Heaps said. “We have a number of fresh faces that we are looking to step up and fill holes left from last year’s squad. All got varsity playing time last year here and there.”

Senior quarterback Andrew Hillstead was terrific in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,066 yards and 35 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. He’ll have a new group of receivers to throw to in 2025.

Heaps is especially excited for the development of the offensive line.

“It’s one of the biggest and most talented we have had at this school since maybe 2018,” Heaps said. “We will need to ride their game experience and hopefully win more games.”

Heaps said Provo is his pick to win Region 8.

“They’ve won the region the past two years and Coach (Kirk) Chambers just gets his boys to do their best regardless of what’s happening,” Heaps said. “Until someone knocks them off, it’s going to be Provo.”

What’s the best way to motivate today’s high school athlete? “We motivate our players by making them feel appreciated and loved,” Heaps said. “We let them know their coaches care for them, not only because of how they perform on the field but because of what’s going on in their lives off the field.”

– Darnell Dickson