Provo • Coach Louis Wong stood over his players at the end of the game Friday, each of the Timpview players down on a knee seeking words of wisdom. The Thunderbirds defeated Woods Cross to move on to the second round of the 4A playoffs with a score of 31-14, but the game wasn't without drama.

At halftime, the fourth-seeded Wildcats were tied with Timpview 14-14, and nearly went into the locker rooms with a 14-7 lead if not for a late drive with only seconds remaining. Timpview quarterback Jack Lloyd made a quick decision, called his own number, and scampered in for the 7-yard touchdown.

A halftime tie wasn't part of the game plan. This was Timpview, after all, a team that led at halftime in six of their last seven games. These were the Thunderbirds, winners of the four of the last five 4A championships and the team that hadn't lost a first-round playoff game since 1999.

Coach Wong knew there was nothing he could tell his players about the past. It was time to live in the present.

"I told them we were going to put the first half behind us," Wong said. "We shot ourselves in the foot, and I challenged them to focus."

Timpview's defense came out swinging to start the second half. The Thunderbirds forced Woods Cross to punt the ball away on the team's first two drives and caused a fumble on the third. After coming out with intensity in the first and second quarters, the Wildcats seemed worn down the rest of the game.

"We platoon, so we don't have guys going both ways like they did," Wong said. "We're going to face a team that will platoon in the future, and we need to be prepared for them to be able to stay with us."

On the other side of the ball, Timpview started to show why they remain perennial favorites in the 4A playoffs. As opposed to Woods Cross, the Thunderbirds scored on their first three drives, first marching 80 yards culminating in a 1-yard run from Gregson Aspinall, then repeating their efforts on their next possession with a second touchdown for Aspinall, this one from 3 yards out.

Jake Lloyd was poised in the pocket, taking running holes when he could while remaining patient as his receivers created openings. The clinic brought the score to 31-14 with four minutes remaining and sealed the victory for Timpview.

The Thunderbirds will now face Westlake, the surprising victors over Mountain Crest and a team Timpview beat in the preseason 40-9.

"The number one thing they have to do is forget that game," Wong said. "We have to put everything behind us and realize we're facing a much improved Westlake team."