Prep football: Thunderbirds run all over the Dons

A determined Timpview team overwhelmed the Spanish Fork Dons 57-22 to advance to the Class 4A football semifinals.

Before the game, Timpview coach Louis Wong told his team a story about a runner who never slowed down during a race.

"Everyone thought the runner was going too fast too soon and would run out of energy," said Wong. "He collapsed as he crossed the finish line, but he came in first."

The Thunderbirds showed that they understood the moral of the story. On the first play of the game, the defensive line sacked Spanish Fork quarterback Hayden Nielsen and recovered a fumble. Three minutes later, Timpview held its first lead of the game at 7-0.

Spanish Fork was aggressive throughout the game. Facing five fourth downs, the Dons converted three, punting only once. However, the Timpview offense was just too much to overcome.

Due to short, effective runs, the Thunderbirds faced exactly one fourth down all game (on which they scored a touchdown). Led by junior running back Bryson McKenzie, six Timpview players combined for 344 yards on the ground. McKenzie finished the day with 113 yards and two touchdowns. The Thunderbird passing attack was also highly successful as senior quarterback Trevor Brown finished 8-10 with 129 yards in three quarters of work.

After the game, Wong gave most of the credit to his defense, which held Spanish Fork well under their average of 41.9 points per game.

"Our defense did great

against their big receivers. They bent a little but never broke."

The three-time defending state champions now move on to play Mountain Crest on Thursday in a rematch of last year's state semi-final game, and Wong knows it will be a battle.

"We will have our hands full with Mountain Crest; they know how to throw the ball."