Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
PROVO — Second verse, same as the first.
Timpview took down region foe Springville 59-24 for the second time this season in the second round of the 5A playoffs to advance to the state quarterfinals. The Thunderbirds scored 42 points in the first half and did not allow a point to the Red Devils in the second half in the win.
For Timpview, it was the Aisa Galea'i game, the type you only see in Madden. Galea'i picked off the Red Devils four times throughout the game while scoring twice on offense, stamping his name in the record books in state history with the third most interceptions in a game.
In a game that had BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley in attendance, the junior athlete put his name on the map.
"I am just trying to get the ball back and score for my team. That's all that goes through my mind," Galea'i said. "I will do whatever it take to help my team win. I love my teammates."
Galea'i's teammates played well, too, as the Thunderbirds forced six total turnovers while putting up 59 points in their first game in two weeks.
"I think the boys were excited after our bye week. The boys were antsy," head coach Dave Atoai said. "We were sticking to the game plan. We did not change a lot, and it was great for them to believe when the coaches were saying 'just do this.'"
But the game could have gone the other way quickly.
Timpview opened the game on a 14-3 run after a kickoff return went for a touchdown from Dennis Tua'one. Springville quickly responded with Reid Deede hauling in a 20-yard touchdown reception.
The Red Devils got the ball back and were looking to take the lead over the Thunderbirds.
But the defense came to play.
Timpview picked off the Red Devils and returned it back for a touchdown to extend their lead, and it was never close again.
Zed Anahu-Ambrosio scored early in the second quarter to take an 18-point lead before Zack Henderson brought in a 30-yard touchdown pass to trim it back to 11.
Galea'i scored his first touchdown of the day on a 7-yard rushing touchdown and had one of his many interceptions on the ensuing drive. And just like that, Timpview was up to 42 points in the first half of play.
Galea'i scored on a rushing touchdown on the first drive of the second half, and ended the last two Springville drives of the game with interceptions.
The Thunderbirds will take on Orem for the second time in three weeks on Friday where it is currently slated to kick off at 6 p.m. MST at The Hill.
