Playoff fever: Provo races past Timpanogos 47-15
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- Provo wide receiver Liam Schoenrock (11) is helped up by teammate Tamatoa King after scoring a touchdown against Timpanogos in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Provo’s Cruz Barker (0) and Julius Pan tackle Dillan Morgan of Timpanogos in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- A pair of Provo players warm up before the start of a Region 8 football game against Timpanogos on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Timpanogos running back Zack McCann carries the ball against Provo in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Provo quarterback Drevin Christensen throws a pass against Timpanogos in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Timpanogos running back Zack McCann runs the ball against Provo in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Provo players watch game video on a monitor during a Region 8 football game against Timpanogos on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Provo’s Justice Tela (1) celebrates after a defensive stop against Timpanogos in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Provo quarterback Drevin Christensen throws a pass against Timpanogos in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Luke Bergin of Timpanogos kicks off against Provo in a Region 8 football game on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Timpanogos captains (from left) Zack McCann, Tyson Knapp and Tevita Mounga walk to the center of the field for the coin toss before a Region 8 football game against Provo on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
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- Provo team captains (from left) McKay Marvell, Julius Pan, Ryker Carson and Teave Brown pause during the national anthem before a Region 8 football game against Timpanogos on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
In a 4A Region 8 football game that had huge playoff implications, Provo soundly defeated Timpanogos 47-15 Wednesday night.
Timpanogos came into the game with an Class 4A RPI ranking of No. 20 desperately needing a win to possibly make the 16-team playoff field and even Provo (No. 15 in RPI) viewed it as a must-win with its own precarious position.
The Bulldog victory also delivered a piece of the league title, the fourth in a row for the program.
“Winning a region title for the fourth time in a row is something really sweet for Provo High,” said Bulldog head coach Viliami Halasima. “I think it’s the first time in (the school’s) history that it has been done.”
With the short week, Halasima said the team prepared well and had quality practices before the game even if one came Saturday night.
“We had a great week of practice. Some of our guys weren’t happy that we had a practice Saturday night, but I thought we needed it and it showed up today,” added Halasima.
Provo (6-4 overall, 6-1 Region 8) took the lead in the first quarter as Liam Schoenrock hauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Drevin Christensen. But it wasn’t until midway through the second quarter until the Bulldogs took control, scoring 21 points while Timpanogos put just seven points on the scoreboard.
Christensen hooked up with Trip Schouman on a 20-yard TD pass to start the run. On the PAT, the Bulldogs lined up in a “swinging gate” formation with most of their players toward the sideline but leaving snapper Brexton Hunter as an eligible receiver. The trick play worked perfectly when holder Tama King found Hunter in the end zone to put Provo up 15-0.
The Timberwolves showed some bite with Jace Spencer scoring on a 36-yard pass from Logan Holloway with 3:14 left in the quarter. After the extra point by Luke Bergin, Timpanogos had trimmed Provo’s lead to 15-7.
But the end of the first half was disastrous for Timpanogos.
Provo scored quickly with Teave Brown scoring on a 17-yard run with just 1:14 left. Provo went for two points, but failed, and led 21-7. Then on the Timberwolf ensuing possession, Brexton Hunter secured his tenth interception of his career making a nice return to set up Provo. Then Justice Tela carried the pigskin over the goal line from three yards out to make the score 28-7 at halftime after the successful point after by Cannon Brinley.
Provo showed off its depth in the second half. Christensen suffered a hand injury and Frederic Beesley came off the bench and didn’t miss a beat, leading Provo on a drive that culminated with Hunter hauling in an 9-yard scoring pass. Beesley and Hunter would connect again on an 8-yard TD. After that score the extra point was blocked leaving Provo ahead 41-7, just one point away from invoking the running clock rule that comes when a team gets 35 or more points ahead.
But Provo would accomplish that relatively early in the final stanza when Beesley found Schoenrock open in the end zone on a 11-yard score. The point after was again blocked but Provo was now 40 points ahead at 47-7.
Timpanogos (5-5, 4-3) scored one last time with Shane Eaquinto hauling in a 12-yard pass from back-up quarterback Mack Valagardson. Eaquinto also scored on the two-point try to make the final tally 47-15 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Halasima was complimentary of Beesley, along with the offensive coaching staff, for the quality of play in the second half.
“We just kind of stayed on script. Again, back to our preparation, I feel our offensive coaches really do a good job of making sure the next man up is ready to go. Freddy (Beesley) stepped in and executed right on script on what we were doing and what we thought on how we could attack them.”
Since Provo lost to Park City five games ago 22-21, the Bulldogs have been firing on all cylinders outscoring their opponents 216 to 36 in the last four games. Halasima saw the Park City loss as a turning point.
“That (game) really humbled us. It was a blessing in disguise for our group,” said Halasima. “We got to focus one week at a time. We kind of got ahead of ourselves. It’s a young group and I love their competitiveness but we kind of got a little ahead of ourselves in that game.”
While the offense has lit up the scoreboard, the defensive play has also been stellar.
Talitonu Lesa registered four sacks in this game and reportedly has 20.5 sacks on the season. Lesa, along with Makeli Toutai, Creedan Leuga, Jesse Noa, Julius Pan and Henry Aho have been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks and stuffing the running attack. This has led to the success of defensive backs like Hunter and Parker Marden having as each secured interceptions Wednesday night. For Hunter, he has developed into one of the state’s best cornerbacks regardless of classification and also makes huge contributions on offense and special teams.
“When Brexton Hunter is on his ‘A’ game man, there’s not many people that can cover him,” said Halasima. “You have to know where he’s at on the field at all times. He’s a special teams guy for us. We’re blessed and fortunate to have a player like him.”
As for Hunter, he deflected any praise to his teammates.
“I mean, we just came into the game knowing that we were the better team,” Hunter said. “I had faith in my boys and I have faith in our offense and faith in our defense. Our quarterback went down, but we still have the guys to come up and fill that spot.”
Hunter rarely comes off the field and said he has no preference for offense, defense or special teams.
“Anywhere, I can ball out,” he said.
Both teams will now await to see where they are seeded in the bracket reveal show by the UHSAA on Saturday. Timpanogos will hope, even with the loss, the math will shake out in their favor to make the playoffs. Provo should undoubtedly move up in the RPI rankings and comfortably within the playoff field as the 4A playoffs begin Friday, October 30.
PROVO 47, TIMPANOGOS 15
Provo 7 21 13 6 — 47
Timpanogos 0 7 0 8 — 15
P-Schoenrock 17 pass from Christensen (Brinley kick)
P-Schouman 20 pass from Christensen (Hunter pass from King)
T-Spencer 36 pass from Logan Holloway (Bergin kick)
P-Brown 17 run (pass failed)
P-Tela 3 run (Brinley kick)
P-Hunter 9 pass from Beesley (Cooper Brinkerhoff kick)
P-Hunter 8 pass from Beesley (kick blocked)
P-Schoenrock 11 pass from Beesley (kick blocked)
T-Eaquinto 12 pass from Valgardson (Eaquinto run)
