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Provo • East's offense started the game with a drive that lasted more than nine minutes, but failed to produce any points.

Timpview's Isaiah Holloway opened the second half by scoring a touchdown in 15 seconds.

Holloway's 95-yard kickoff return turned a tough game in Timpview's favor, sparking the Thunderbirds to an 18-8 victory in the Class 4A playoffs Friday.

The rematch of two powerful programs came about 11 months after Timpview's 33-28 victory in the state championship game. The twist was that the 2014 meeting came in the first round. Considering its recent tradition, East was no ordinary No. 4 seed, and unbeaten Timpview was challenged from start to finish.

"This was a dangerous game; we knew that," said Timpview coach Cary Whittingham. "We'd prefer not to be matched up with East right off the bat."

East's defense held the Thunderbirds' prolific offense to a touchdown on a drive just before halftime and a field goal that clinched the victory in the last minute. Otherwise, the Leopards contained star quarterback Britain Covey, intercepting him twice in the first half and stopping him on a fourth-and-2 run in the fourth quarter.

"The thing about this game is as physical as it was, it was just as emotional," Covey said. "They came in wanting revenge; we came in determined to get to the next round, basically. … It's frustrating playing against a team like that, because they just take up the clock."

East rushed for 264 yards, led by Jalen Warren's 74 yards. The Leopards scored in the second quarter via Lorenzo Manu's 6-yard pass to Cole Peterson, plus Peterson's two-point conversion. But Timpview's defense, highlighted by Gabe Reid, kept East from threatening again.

A key sequence came just before halftime, when Timpview forced a punt after Avery Hopkins' interception for East. Covey sparked a drive with a 30-yard scramble, then hit Samson Nacua for a 4-yard touchdown and ran for the tying conversion with seven seconds remaining.

Covey, who accounted for 225 yards of passing and running, was at his best on Timpview's clinching drive. The Thunderbirds used more than five minutes before Zach Simpson kicked a 35-yard field goal with 28 seconds left.

Twitter: @tribkurt —

Timpview 18, East 8

O Timpview and East have met in the Class 4A playoffs for four straight years, three times in the semifinals or later.

• Two of Timpview's three possessions in the first 22 minutes of the game end with interceptions.

• Timpview takes over at its 21-yard line with 5:44 remaining and uses up all but 28 seconds before kicking a clinching field goal.