Box score
Timpview coach Andy Stokes pointed out that preparation for Thursday’s game against Nemesis Orem went pretty much as usual, with the same focused preparation he always gets from his team.
The celebration that followed was a clear sign that it wasn’t just another game.
Timpview’s dominant 43-13 win over Orem was a sweet release for the T-Birds after losing to the Tigers in their last two 5A State Championship games.
Thursday’s win didn’t erase those losses, but it certainly sent a statement to Orem and the rest of 5A about who the team is to beat in 2021.
“Of course this is a significant win for our team just because we feel that Orem is one of the best 5A teams. We have a lot of respect for them, ”said Stokes, who spoke to the media after the game while his players danced euphorically behind him.
In each of Timpview’s playoff losses to Orem over the past two years, it has certainly been competitive but just didn’t have enough horses to face a loaded Tigers list. This season the roles seem to have reversed.
Grid view
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Timpview’s Jacob Turgavou (3) intercepts a pass intended for Orem’s Roger Saleapaga (6) during the first half at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Orem’s Isaac Yokota, 11, breaks a pass destined for Timpview’s Pokai Haunga, 17, at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview’s defense will stop Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview’s Paeae Alatini, 34, prevents Orem’s Roger Saleapaga (6) from catching a pass at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview’s Braxton Fely, 8, dismisses Orem’s QB Lance Reynolds at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday September 30th, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview’s Micah Beckstead, 14, pushes Orem’s defense through to score in the first half at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday September 30th, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview is preparing to take to the field ahead of Orem’s game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Micah Beckstead (14) of Timpview scores in the game against Orem at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30th, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview’s Micah Beckstead (14) runs in the game against Orem in the first half at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
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Timpview will face Orem in a high school football game at Timpview High in Orem on Thursday, September 30, 2021.
Laura Seitz, desert news
Thursday’s game was close early on, with Timpview only leading 14-6 in the half, but the complexity turned dramatically in the third quarter, with the T-Birds offense and defense hitting twice each as the Grudge match was quick turned into a game that with. ended a running clock of the Rule of Grace.
Stokes said the result shouldn’t be that surprising.
“This group didn’t just appear out of nowhere. You’ve been working your tail off for four years to transform yourself into the monster we are. All of their work over the past four years shows up in the field, ”said Stokes.
The biggest monster against Orem was junior running back Micah Beckstead.
Beckstead’s role on offense has increased over the past month, but he had a breakout performance on Thursday when he scored the T-Birds’ first four touchdowns – three in a rush, one received.
The first two gave Timpview the 14-6 halftime lead, and then in the third quarter he scored an 8-yard TD pass from Liu Aumavae and then a 57-yard TD run that pushed the lead down to 29-6.
Beckstead said that focus played a huge role in keeping Timpview away throughout the week and then throughout the game.
“We knew they lost to Alta last week, but we knew they’d come with a different mindset this week, and we stayed locked up all week,” Beckstead said.
In no time at all, Timpview’s three-touchdown lead swelled to five.
Just 16 seconds after Beckstead’s fourth touchdown had extended the lead to 29: 6, teammate Will Lohner gave an interception 25 yards for another score and the 36: 6 lead.
The defense wasn’t finished either. Just a few games later, Timpview’s defense got pressure on Orem’s quarterback and forced a fumble, which Puna Alatina picked up and scored from 18 yards.
In a span of 39 seconds, Timpview scored 22 points, and in that short span of time the discussion of Orem’s chances of winning the state championship five in a row could have ended.
This is actually the last thing Stokes thinks about as he prepares for a tough week 9 game against Lehi next week.
“We’re going to challenge everyone now to find one thing you didn’t do very well tonight and be better at it next week and if we do that by November we’ll be in a good place,” said Stokes.
The most important thing Timpview needs to work on is to start faster. Orem scored the first hit after a 3-yard TD pass by Mack Hixson of Lance Reynolds at the 8:58 mark in the second quarter, and Timpview didn’t respond with his first points of the game until 2:59 before halftime.
Beckstead found the end zone in the end zone three more times, which eventually led to a blowout, but he said the complacency in the first half will help the team stay resigned despite the big, big win.
“A lot of mistakes were made in the first half,” he said, “so we just have to hold on and work on the things we’ve been struggling on to be perfect for the next week.”
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