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SALT LAKE CITY — Six weeks ago, Lehi quarterback Jackson Brousseau threw a game-winning touchdown to wide receiver Kolton Tanner in a 28-24 win over the Timpview.
On Friday, the Lehi tandem struck again as Brousseau connected with Tanner for a game-winning touchdown pass over Timpview — this time as a walk-off score in triple overtime of the 5A state championship game in which the Pioneers defeated the Thunderbirds 29-23.
Lehi's defense had gotten the necessary stop on a fourth down interception by cornerback Nathan Anderegg. And one play later, the Pioneers were champions.
"It was trips (three receivers) right, then we ran a little slant and go to Kolton on the left side," Brousseau said. "And, I mean, it was just a great route. I got hit after I threw the ball, so I didn't see him catch the ball, but he ran a great route and got the ball so hats off to him."
A PIONEERING REPEAT!!! @LehiFootball walks it off with the @UHSAAinfo 5A state football title! pic.twitter.com/1yOWjKH4VS
— KSL.com Sports (@KSLcomSports) November 19, 2022
The teams traded scores in the first overtime period, and Timpview got on the board first from a 1-yard touchdown run by Micah Beckstead. Lehi answered three plays later on a 2-yard option run by Brousseau.
Both teams failed to score in the second period as the defenses did their jobs. As the Thunderbirds opened up the third overtime period on offense, a delay of game and a false start set them back. On their fourth-down try, Anderegg intercepted Timpview quarterback Helaman Casuga to set up the potential game winner for the Pioneers. And one play later, they did just that.
"It starts up front," Lehi head coach Ed Larson said about his defense going against Casuga. "If we can't put pressure on him, he's gonna have a field day with us. And then from that standpoint, it's a matter of just making sure we're getting to our zone drops where we're supposed to be."
Lehi wins the 5A football state championship in triple overtime thanks to an interception and a walkoff TD pass! #UHSAA#Pioneers#Lehipic.twitter.com/ZlyJQxPsiY
— Thomas Gordon (@Air_Gordon12) November 19, 2022
The entire game went about how you would expect a triple overtime game to go. Each team's quarterback slung the ball around with power and accuracy; each defense got big hits and made stops at necessary times. At the end of regulation, the teams were tied 16-16.
"It's quintessential football, right?" said Larson about his team's dramatic victory. "I mean, my gosh, it goes back and forth, defenses make a stand, offenses making plays. ... It's gut it out. It's don't look at the scoreboard, play every play as hard as you can, and let the chips fall where they fall."
The duel between the top two teams in 5A began right from the kickoff. Timpview orchestrated an 80-yard drive behind the arm of freshman Casuga and the legs of senior running back Beckstead. It took a little less than four minutes and culminated with a 10-yard rush from Beckstead straight up the middle thanks to huge holes opened up by his offensive line. The extra point, however, clanged off the right goal post.
Lehi's offense came out and nearly mirrored Timpview's opening drive. Brousseau threw the ball a bit more, even though the big play of the drive came on a short screen pass to running back Carson Gonzalez, who took it 40 yards to get the Pioneers into the red zone. Lehi capped off their first drive of the game on a 1-yard touchdown run by Gonzalez, and the score was tied at 6-6 after the Pioneers missed their extra point try, as well.
The teams' defenses took over on the next drives. As the Thunderbirds made their way into Lehi territory again, safety Kadiyon Sweat picked off Casuga's pass in the end zone. When the Pioneers worked their way into Timpview territory, cornerback Takilesi Uluilakepa intercepted Brousseau's deep pass.
A short while later, the championship contenders did it to each other again. Lehi began a drive, and a few plays into it, TJ Roberts caught a pass, got hit and fumbled the ball, to which Timpview's Aisa Galeai recovered it. Two plays later, Beckstead looked like he might break a huge run but was hit, fumbled and the Pioneers took over again.
With about five minutes to go in the first half, Lehi put together another scoring drive to take the lead on a 28-yard touchdown reception by Gonzalez. The teams went into the locker room with the Pioneers leading 13-6.
JARED ESPLIN, TAKE A BOW @timpviewsports ties it up, 16-16 with 10:09 left pic.twitter.com/JsWssGEGxR
— KSL.com Sports (@KSLcomSports) November 18, 2022
The two teams traded field goals on their opening drives of the second half; and it wasn't until a few minutes into the fourth quarter that Timpview tied the game on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Casuga to senior receiver Jared Esplin. The veteran managed to get one foot down in the end zone before falling out, and the resulting score gave the Thunderbirds hope they could pull out the win.
From there, the defenses made themselves known and ensured the game would go to overtime. It was the 13th championship to require extra time and just the second in Utah history to go to three overtimes. The Pioneers did just enough to pull out the hard-fought victory and call themselves champions for the second year in a row.
"I think it's an achievement that's really, really rare," Larson said. "And I know now that we've gone through it; I know why it's rare. The pressure of being No. 1 all year and having to deal with that week in and week out. You never talk about it, but I think everybody feels it."
