Mission Viejo, Calif. • Timpview had questions before it played Bakersfield (Calif.).
After getting spanked 38-13, the Thunderbirds can't claim to have many answers. Instead, Timpview spent 48 minutes trying to figure out the Drillers' deceptive offense.
"They were consistent with their game," receiver Ricky Shumway said. "They got what they needed when they needed it."
The Thunderbirds were the first of three teams to play in the Mission Viejo Football Classic. Alta and Bingham will play Crenshaw and Orange Lutheran.
Starting quarterback Jake Lloyd, one of three players who to have a shot at the job this year, threw an interception on his first pass of the game, and Timpview fell behind 14-0 after having run only two plays of its own.
In many ways, Lloyd was the bright spot for the Thunderbirds. He completed 13-of-28 passes for just 167 yards and three touchdowns. But in the second half he guided drives deep into Bakersfield territory. Unfortunately for Timpview, all but one of those drives ended without scoring plays.
"He's doing well for his first game at quarterback," Shumway said.
It was a tough go all around for Timpview. Its receivers were well-covered by the Drillers, who have the most wins all-time in California and the running game struggled to find any rhythm. Lloyd led the Thunderbirds with 53 yards on the ground, while Gregson Aspinall, 27 yards, was the most productive running back.
After the game, Timpview players talked about the importance of growing as a team and moving next week into its Region 8 schedule.
"It was a good learning experience for us," said Timpview coach Louis Wong.
But, Bakersfield exposed some holes for the Thunderbirds, who before last year had won four-straight 4A championships.
The sentiment after losing to Bakersfield was clear: Timpview must improve if it wants to be at that level this season.
"I think we'll have some tough matchups," Shumway said. "We have a lot of work to do."
boram@sltrib.com
Follow him on Twitter, @oramb, for updates from Mission Viejo
