Suddenly, Salem: Skyhawks outlasts Timpanogos in overtime 23-20
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- Benjamin Staheli of Salem Hills (0) celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning touchdown in overtime in a 23-20 victory against Timpanogos on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Salem Hills receiver Guss Johnson tries to stay in bounds near the goal line during a high school football game against Timpanogos on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Jesse King of Timpanogos (8) puts pressure on Salem Hills quarterback Ryder Hales during a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Former Timpanogos athletic director Frank Bramall, center, salutes the crowd after being honored at halftime of a high school football game against Salem Hills on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Salem Hills quarterback Ryder Hales (2) runs with the football during a game against Timpanogos on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Salem Hills running back Benjamin Staheli (0) carries the football against Timpanogos in a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Salem Hills receiver Gordon Wilson tries to come up with a catch in a high school football game against Timpanogos on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Timpanogos quarterback Andrew Hillstead (7) carries the football against Salem Hills in a high school game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Benjamin Staheli of Salem Hills (0) celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning touchdown in overtime in a 23-20 victory against Timpanogos on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Timpanogos quarterback Andrew Hillstead (7) throws a pass against Salem Hills in a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Salem Hills receiver Guss Johnson (88) catches a pass near the sidelines as Cade Whimpey of Timpanogos defends in a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Former Timpanogos athletic director Frank Bramall kisses his wife, Monica, after being honored at halftime of a high school football game against Salem Hills on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Jesse King of Timpanogos (8) sacks Salem Hills quarterback Ryder Hales in a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Salem Hills quarterback Ryder Hales (2) looks to throw the ball against Timpanogos on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Zack McCann of Timpanogos (10) tries to escape Benjamin Staheli of Salem Hills in a high school football game on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Timpanogos students react during a high school football game against Salem Hills on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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- Timpanogos cheerleaders carry out the American flag before the start of a high school football game against Salem Hills on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Of all the players on the football field for Friday’s sloppy but wildly entertaining 23-20 Salem Hills victory at Timpanogos, Skyhawks senior running back/safety/punter Benjamin Staheli might have had the most interesting night.
Staheli ended the chaos with an 11-yard touchdown run in overtime, sending the Salem Hills sideline into a much-deserved celebration.
But there’s more.
In the first half, he intercepted a Timpanogos pass in the end zone to thwart a drive. Staheli also knocked away what appeared to be a sure Timpanogos touchdown pass with 35 seconds to play that would have given the T-Wolves the lead. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Staheli took off on a fake punt –only to suffer a leg cramp. He was caught before he could reach the first down marker and the T-Wolves ended up driving for a touchdown. He credited the efforts of the team trainer to get him healed up quickly and back onto the field.
Staheli’s effort was emblematic of both sides, which alternated between big plays and costly mistakes throughout the game.
“You know, it just gets crazy,” Staheli said. “The energy is so high and everyone’s tired. But in the end, we just pulled through. The defensive saves were awesome. That’s where you build a team, right there. Those were special moments.”
Staheli finished with 11 carries for 78 yards and added 11 tackles (9 solo), among several key Salem Hills players playing on both sides of the ball.
“Like our coach always says, this team is just a bunch of great kids,” said Staheli, one of the team captains. “There’s not just one true leader. Everyone leads each other. Everyone hold each other to a high standard and that’s what gets us to make these amazing plays, have these amazing games and makes these amazing saves.”
Timpanogos’ Luke Bergin kicked a 20-yard field goal with 34.5 seconds to play to tie the game at 17-all, rallying the home team from a 17-7 deficit. The T-Wolves took the first possession in overtime without starting quarterback Andrew Hillstead, who injured his shoulder late in the fourth quarter. Backup Logan Holloway miraculously converted a fourth-and-23 when Kyle LaPray made a stunning catch on an underthrown ball at the Salem Hills 15. But the Skyhawks defense, as it did all night, stiffened and forced a another Bergin field goal, giving the T-Wolves a 20-17 lead.
A holding call set Salem Hills back on its drive in overtime. An incomplete pass appeared to set up a fourth-and-8 but a foolish unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Timpanogos gave the visitors a first down at the 11-yard line. Staheli took a handoff, got the corner and sped into the end zone for the game winner on the next play.
“It was a great highlight, but I broke it out on some super blocks,” Staheli said. “I can’t remember who it was, but I just remember seeing our receiver coming in and hitting him with everything he had. That’s what made it happen.”
The first half was an exercise in futility and frustration for Timpanogos’ high-powered passing game. The T-Wolves turned the ball over twice on downs in Salem Hills territory, fumbled inside the Skyhawks 5-yard line and had a pass intercepted in the end zone by Staheli.
Timpanogos trailed 7-0 at halftime.
“We tried to bracket, tried to keep the quarterback in control and in check,” Salem Hills coach Jeff Higginson said. “Our defense did a great job of doing that. He (Hillstead) is a great quarterback and we didn’t get to him a lot, but that wasn’t necessarily what we were trying to do. We battled and I’m so proud of our defense. They just came in there and worked their tails off and never quit. We were making big plays on fourth down all night.”
Timpanogos found some offense in the running game in the second half with Hillstead and Donovan Holloway broke loose on a 34-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 10-7 with 6:40 to play in the third quarter.
Salem Hills took a 17-7 lead on a 3-yard pass from Ryder Hales to Peyton Higginson with 10:42 remaining and appeared to be in control. Despite what amounted to three turnovers (two fumbles and the aforementioned failed fake punt) in the final seven minutes, the Skyhawks defense got tough in the red zone and endured for the win.
“This was tough,” Coach Higginson said. “This was our first game on the road. You get on the road, this kind of game is what you’re going to have. It doesn’t matter what game or who you play on a Friday night, the parity is all there. It’s a battle every time. We got a little bit lucky but we responded to adversity and that’s a big deal. Sometimes team cave, and our guys didn’t cave.”
Hales finished 19 of 32 for 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Gordon Wilson contributed five catches for 127 yards and Maddox Haskell led the defense with 14 tackles (11 solo).
Jesse King was a menace for Timpanogos, especially in the first half. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound senior defensive end had four sacks for minus-50 yards before halftime.
Salem Hills (4-1 overall, 1-0 4A Region 8) will be at Provo on Friday. Timpanogos (2-3, 0-1) will host Uintah.
SALEM HILLS 23, TIMPANOGOS 20 (OT)
Salem Hills 0 7 3 7 6 — 23
Timpanogos 0 0 7 10 3 — 20
SH-Hales 2 run (Butler kick)
SH-Butler 28 FG
TN-D. Holloway 34 run (Bergin kick)
SH-Higginson 3 pass from Hales (Butler kick)
TN-L. Holloway 4 run (Bergin kick)
TN-Bergin 20 FG
TN-Bergin 20 FG
SH-Staheli 11 run
