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TIMPVIEW THUNDERBIRDS
THE HURRY-UP
Timpview finished 14-0 overall, 6-0 in league play, and beat Roy, 28-7, to win the Class 4A championship in 2014.
OFFENSE
Rebuild is not an expression used in the Timpview program. For nearly two decades, the loss of highly-recruited athletes and reshuffling of coaching staffs has not deterred one of the state's premier programs. It has won three consecutive titles.
This year, however, is a little different for one reason: Britain Covey is gone. The dynamic playmaker at quarterback went 26-0 as a starter en route to compiling 7,400 yards of total offense and 100 touchdowns.
Kahi Neves is a hyped but extremely unproven replacement. The University of Utah commit is at his sixth school in four years after essentially losing the quarterback competition at Bingham and Brighton. The potential is there: Neves possesses a powerful arm that complements a deceptive ability to escape the rush, and when it comes to blows – the dude is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds.
"He has offers for a reason. He's got the ability," Timpview coach Cary Whittingham said of Neves. "We're hoping we can get the production out of the quarterback, not in the same manner as we got out of Covey, but still a good talent."
The offensive line will accelerate Neves' acclimation to varsity speed, with Shintaro Mann, Austin Yager and Jacob Palu —an athletic specimen for his size — back as returning starters, while Andre Owensby and Kaisa Fiatoa-Holani (6-2, 300) — who could prove to be wanted commodity by recruiters fairly quickly — crystalize one of the top units in the classification.
The Thunderbirds are stacked at the skill positions as usual, specifically with Samson Nacua, who burst onto the scene in the later portion of last year. Nacua has all of the physical tools to be one of the top receivers in the state, and he's certainly not lacking confidence. His 2015 goals: More than 2,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. Fielding Wallace adds another threat on the perimeter, with Sylvester Folaumahina requiring constant attention out of the backfield.
DEFENSE
Improving upon 2014 defensively is a tall task. The Thunderbirds led the 4A classification in virtually every statistical category, including scoring, rushing and total defense, while ranking in the top five in pass defense.
But the damage from graduation was extensive, with Gabe Reid, Devin Kaufusi, Scott Foley, Kainoa Tu'ua and Isaiah Holloway all moving on.
"We lost some big-time kids. We're going to be very young. It's going to remain to be seen how fast they can grow up and get ready to go," Whittingham said of his defensive unit. "Plenty of talent, plenty of speed, plenty of ability, but I think there is going to be a little bit of growing pains there."
As Timpview's youth navigates through inexperience, expect the defense to appear more conservative than usual, avoiding Cover-0 looks in the early portion of the year. The Thunderbirds need Keenan Pili and Will Watanabe, who form arguably the best safety combination in the state, to step up. Their safety net will speed up the progression of the young but ultra-talented defensive line that includes senior Branson Brotherson and freshman Tausili Fiatoa, who has already received an offer from Oregon State.
Nate Richardson returns after recording 94 tackles last season, and he'll be expected to mentor junior Donovan Faumui and sophomore Karene Reid — Gabe Reid's younger brother — at the other linebacker positions.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Timpview is going to be Timpview. Although young, there is hardly a drop-off of talent, with numerous next-level prospects swarming the roster. However, if the Thunderbirds claim the title for the fourth consecutive season, it might be the biggest accomplishment yet.
BIG SHOES
Other than replacing Covey, which clearly is the biggest concern, replacing Gabe Reid, Devin Kaufusi, and Scott Foley, who collectively combined for 41 sacks in 2014, is a tall task, too. Brotherson and Fiatoa won't reach that same production, but they have to be effective at pressuring the quarterback.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 1
RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: Samson Nacua (Sr.), 12-22-125, 1 TD
Rushing: Beau Tu'ua (So.), 82 att., 637 yds., 2 TD
Receiving: Samson Nacua (Sr.), 42 rec., 641 yds., 8 TDs
Tackles: Nate Richardson (Sr.), 94
Sacks: Nate Richardson, 2
Interceptions: Will Watanabe (Sr.), 5
2014 RANKINGS
OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 7) CLASS (of 26)
Scoring: 35.9ppg 1 1
Rushing: 197.5ypg 2 8
Passing: 200.3ypg 3 6
Total: 397.8ypg 2 4
DEFENSE
Scoring: 10.6ppg 1 1
Rushing: 72.6ypg 1 1
Passing: 138.5ypg 1 5
Total: 211.1ypg 1 1
COACHING BIO
Name: Cary Whittingham
Years with school: 4
Alma mater: BYU
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: Kahi Neves (6-4, 240, Sr.)
RB: Sylvester Folaumahina (5-10, 205, Sr.)
WR: Samson Nacua (6-3, 175, Sr.)
WR: Fielding Wallace (6-2, 175, Sr.)
WR: Nejad Arshad (6-0, 175, Sr.)
WR: Kyle Van Leeuwen (5-8, 175, Jr.)
LT: Jacob Palu (6-1, 249, Jr.)
LG: Kaisa Fiatoa-Holani (6-2, 300, Jr.)
C: Shintaro Mann (6-0, 250, Jr.)
RG: Austin Yager (6-3, 280, Sr.)
RT: Andre Owensby (Jr.)
DEFENSE
DE: Branson Brotherson (6-1, Sr.)
DT: Jackson Cravens (6-2, 279, So.)
DT: Kolby Enosa (So.)
DE: Tausili Fiatoa (6-2, 210, Fr.)
LB: Donovan Faumui (Jr.)
LB: Nate Richardson (5-10, 200, Sr.)
LB: Karene Reid (5-11, 180, So.)
DB: Brig Sibley (Jr.)
DB: Undetermined
SS: Keenan Pili (6-2, 205, Sr.)
FS: Will Watanabe (5-11, 185, Sr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Undetermined
P: Undetermined
R: Will Watanabe (5-11, 185, Sr.)
R: Samson Nacua (6-3, 175, Sr.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time (2014 result)
Aug. 21, at West, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28, Lone Peak, 7 p.m. (Won, 24-10)
Sept. 4, at Taylorsville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11, Alta, 7 p.m. (Won, 28-12)
Sept. 18, Provo, 7 p.m. (Won, 56-7)
Sept. 25, at Orem, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1, at Timpanogos, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9, at Corner Canyon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14, Mountain View, 7 p.m.