The Thunderbirds narrowly slipped into the Class 4A state title game with a win over Mountain Crest, and now against Cottonwood, the Colts had the lead. Running back Isi Sofele was finding his way through the holes, up the middle and down the sides. Quarterback Steve Romero was extremely accurate, completing huge passes to Alo Moli.

But, unlike last week, the Thunderbirds' defense carried the team when it needed to most and paved the way for a 34-28 win over the Colts for its third consecutive state title.

"This state championship is No. 1. Not just the fact that this is a three-peat," Timpview coach Louis Wong said. "But because this is the best team we've played [for a state title]. Not to take credit away from the other teams, but [Cottonwood] matched up with us athletically, physically and schematically."

Though the Thunderbirds bolted out to a 14-0 lead, Sofele ignited the Colts with a 19-yard rushing touchdown.

Timpview was able to extend its lead to 14 again after that, but couldn't sustain it for long.

The Colts were tough to stop in the second quarter, which showed on the scoreboard, as they were able to pull even and head into halftime with the game tied at 21. Sofele had two touchdowns in the first half and had 104 rushing yards on nine carries.

"At halftime, I told the kids, 'This is where we want to be,' " Wong said. "[We had to] go out and win the second half and take it one play at a time."

The Colts took a 28-21 lead when Sofele exploded for a 69-yard run. But as the half went on, Timpview started to dismantle Cottonwood's offense, play by play.

That momentum started when Timpview blocked a punt to give itself the ball at Cottonwood's 17-yard line. Timpview scored on the next drive, a 10-yard run by quarterback Casey Rumsey.

After the Thunderbirds tied the game, the Colts couldn't do much against Timpview's defense. After Sofele's big run, he couldn't muster much more than 20 rushing yards for the remainder of the game. Romero, who was solid for the Colts throughout the first half, was pressured constantly and threw an interception in the fourth quarter.

"The defense really stepped up," said Levi Teo', who finished with 85 yards on 24 carries. "I just thought, 'If they step on this one more time, we got this.' And that's what they did."

But, the offense wasn't lacking. Both teams combined for 855 yards of total offense. And, it was Rumsey who had the best offensive performance, rushing for 80 yards on 16 carries and completing 17 of 27 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown.

With so many milestones for the Thunderbirds this season - including the longest winning streak in state history and winning their third straight region title - this is one the players can finally enjoy.

"I'm just relieved. We can finally celebrate," Rumsey said. "We will remember this for the rest of our lives."

mthach@sltrib.com

Storylines

* Timpview wins its third consecutive state title with a 34-28 victory over Cottonwood.

* The two teams combine for 855 yards of offense.

* The Thunderbirds' Casey Rumsey completes 17 of 27 passes for 271 yards and has 80 rushing yards.