Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
PROVO — Following a challenging non-region slate, Timpview entered Friday night's region opener ready to turn the page.
Losses in marquee matchups against Lone Peak and Southern California power Centennial were no longer on the forefront of the Thunderbirds' mind.
Instead, Timpview wanted to focus on starting region play with a win.
It did so in convincing fashion.
Scoring touchdowns via offense, defense and special teams, Timpview cruised to a 45-0 win over Springville in the Region 7 opener at home.
"We played, I want to say, one of the toughest schedules in the beginning, just to give us a good look of where we stand and what we needed to work on," Timpview coach Donny Atuaia said. "The last three weeks have been a really good test for us. And so now that we're starting region, it was just time for us to settle down. And I think the kids responded."
The tough early slate — which did include a season-opening win against Skyridge — left the Thunderbirds with a 1-2 record but also seemed to prepare them well against 5A competition.
The No. 4 team in the KSL.com rankings looked just fine against the Red Devils (3-2), jumping on their neighbors to the south early and often to set up the comfortable win.
Junior cornerback Braxton Wilkerson opened the game with an interception returned for a touchdown; moments later junior Kennan Pula returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown to put the hosts up 14-0.
A Thunderbirds defense which allowed 56 points to Centennial last week remained formidable throughout, allowing run-heavy Springville a single trip to the red zone and setting up short fields for the offense on several occasions.
Wilkerson notched a second interception in the second quarter to set the offense up at the 17-yard line, resulting in a touchdown, and a fumble return by junior Aisa Galeai near halftime led to a 45-yard field goal from junior kicker Luke Thornock to put Timpview up 31-0.
"It was very good field position. And so that's been the key," Atuaia said. "Even our offensive coaches were saying defenses win championships."
Wilkerson, who recorded multiple interceptions for the first time in his varsity career, chalked up the performance to the team's preparation.
"Obviously, our coaches get us prepared pretty well for every game. We know we got to bring it for each team that we play," he said.
Thanks to the big plays of defense and special teams, it took three Red Devil possessions until Timpview's offense lined up on scrimmage. The offense's first drive resulted in a punt, but four of the drives that followed ended in the end zone.
Senior quarterback Carson Rasmussen finished with two touchdown throws — including a 27-yard ball to freshman Dennis Tua'one — and one rushing touchdown. Tipa Galea'i added a two-yard touchdown run, and Daniel Beckstead hauled in a three-yard touchdown pass from Rasmussen.
"Both sides of the ball were really, really special this week," Atuaia said. "They responded, our leadership with our captains did well, and they were well prepared."
