This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • It's one of his final practices and Britain Covey is wearing gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. Pulled over the top is a small, form-fitting red jersey. In skinny white-block letters: QB. On the hill where Timpview High School sits, the temperature dips following a midweek sunset as Covey reads his options and darts off into the scout defense. It's late November, and not surprisingly, the Thunderbirds are four quarters or more away from a three-peat, a Class 4A crown that would be the program's eighth in the last 10 seasons.
Not surprisingly, a Covey is leading another championship charge.
The first of this run began with Stephen Covey, Britain's oldest brother in a group of five siblings. Britain adores Timpview inside and out. He grew up watching practice around the track and games in the stands. In 2004, Britain was in elementary school, but he watched Stephen lead the T-birds to their first state championship since 1997 — uncle Josh was the QB on that particular title team. At 7, Britain was breaking down opposing defenses with Stephen. At 5, he was studying father Stephen's recreational flag football playbook.
"Ever since he was a baby," brother Stephen said, "he's had this confidence about himself."
It took building. Brother Christian, also a former Timpview QB, used to play 2-on-1 basketball in the Coveys' backyard. The odds were stacked against Britain, always small in stature. His brothers made sure of it. They'd run up the score. And when they promised Britain to slow it down, they wouldn't. The prodding and show-boating against baby brother have come full circle. He said studying Stephen and Christian play QB helped his progression and instincts. He wears the No. 2 to symbolize his older brothers.
"I had to learn how to deal with going against bigger guys and being shown no mercy," Britain said.
Since being named the starting quarterback at Timpview, it's Britain who has yet to show mercy. Tabbed the starter in Week 4 of the 2013 season as injuries mounted, the former wide receiver and kick returner has since inscribed a spot for himself in the T-bird football manual. In 24 starts at quarterback, Covey has thrown 54 touchdowns. He has 55 more through rushing, passes caught or kickoff returns. In 2012's epic 38-31 double-overtime title win over Mountain Crest, Covey had five receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. That was before the move to quarterback.
In the aftermath of the move, he's accumulated 7,333 yards of total offense, which is 14th-most in Utah high school history.
The kid can throw. But when given the green light to pull the ball down and take off, that's where the excessive talent shines through. Give him an inch, he'll gladly take the end zone. This season, he's thrown 28 touchdowns and run for 26. In a game at San Diego-based Mission Hills on Aug. 30, Britain ran for 279 yards and six touchdowns on 20 carries.
"He can run like nobody I've ever personally seen," Timpview coach Cary Whittingham said. "He can't be contained."
As a starting quarterback, he's undefeated. In last year's 4A title game against nationally-ranked East, Covey had four touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner late in the fourth quarter. Against Woods Cross in last week's 4A semifinal, Covey stared down a 3rd-and-20 from his own 3-yard line. Once the play broke down, he picked up 25 yards in a flash. In the week leading up to Friday's 4A title game against undefeated Roy, one fellow high school football player tweeted: "My goal in life is to be as good as Britain Covey."
"If I try to give specific advice, watch this or watch that, he'll overthink it," brother Stephen said. "Britain's best when you just say, 'Britain, do your thing. You're the best player on the field.'"
Britain's fusion of pace, instinct and study habits allow him to make the kind of plays that will define his legacy as a Utah high school quarterback. Most crucial, he said, is watching film. He spends at least an hour a day breaking down general schemes, and once that's accomplished, he eases into specific personnel packages. Habits and tendencies of each defensive player are generally last on the list. But he gets there, and he makes his notes.
"Anticipation comes with being a good runner," he said. "I feel like I can anticipate where I'm going to go. When it comes to broken plays, I just feel like sometimes people with athleticism don't try — they don't risk anything. Obviously, you don't want to teach people to risk too much, but at the same time, I look at film sometimes and I think, 'Why couldn't I cut back there?' No one tries it, then I try it and people think, 'How does he do that?' The reality is, no one else tries it."
Reality hit Britain this week. It's his last week of Timpview football. He's the last Covey kid to put on the uniform, the last to strive for a championship. It's also his last week as a quarterback. He's being recruited as an athlete — wide receiver, running back, kick returner — at the next level and has offers from Utah, BYU, Utah State and Harvard.
The objective for Friday night? Relish it and seek perfection to cap off an undefeated season leading the Thunderbirds. Everything else will sort itself out afterward.
"I think if you want to be considered a big-time player, you've got to step up in these situations and be confident," Britain said.
Which has never seemed to be a problem.
Twitter: @CKTribune —
About Britain Covey
• Career stats: 109 touchdowns and 7,333 yards of total offense
• 2014 stats: 54 touchdowns (28 passing, 26 rushing), nearly 4,400 yards of offense
• Named starting quarterback in Week 4 of 2013 season, after converting from receiver
• Holds offers from Utah, BYU, Utah State and Harvard
• Brothers Stephen and Christian former quarterbacks at Timpview, as well as uncle Josh —
4A football championship
O Timpview vs. Roy
Friday, 6:30 p.m. At Rice-Eccles Stadium
TV • KJZZ