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PROVO — Coming off a big win at Alta last week, Timpview shut down Salem Hills defensively, collecting seven sacks en route to a 40-7 win.
“We knew if we didn’t come out working hard it could’ve been a whole different game,” Timpview head coach Cary Whittingham said. “They’ve got some good skill guys on the offensive side of the ball. They throw the ball real well.”
On Salem Hills’ first offensive play from scrimmage, quarterback Porter Gustin rolled left in his own end zone before Timpview defensive lineman Isaiah Nuaca tripped up Gustin from behind. The play resulted in a safety for the T-Birds, their first of seven sacks on the night.
“It was a team effort on the D-line,” Nuaca said. “We’re just executing the plays our coaches gave us, and we did it to perfection tonight.”
Nuaca collected four of the T-Birds’ sacks on Gustin, who came into the night averaging more than 300 yards passing per game.
“Their QB can get the ball down the field to them, especially when he breaks contain,” said Whittingham. “We focused on taking that aspect of their game away from them. The game plan that coach Cusick came up with was pretty good.”
With the defense stifling the visiting Skyhawks’ offense, Timpview running back Kendall Tu’ua led the way offensively with 162 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
“We like to spread the ball around obviously so that no one can take away any one aspect of the offense,” said Whittingham. “We’ve got a good running back, a good quarterback and some good receivers.”
Timpview quarterback Britain Covey, who was starting under center for only the second time this season, passed for 139 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the win. He added 39 yards on the ground.
The win is the first of the regional schedule for the T-Birds. Despite the dominant performance, Whittingham still sees room for his team to improve.
“It did get a little sloppy here and there,” said Whittingham. “We always address that and we will come tomorrow. That can come back to bite you in those games when you need every yard. I’m a little disappointed in the sloppiness of those penalties.”
The T-Birds will try to best another previously undefeated opponent next week when they travel to Springville to take on the Red Devils (4-0).
Gustin threw for 213 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the Skyhawks’ first loss of the season. Salem Hills returns home to take on Wasatch next Friday. Kyle Spencer is a ksl.com intern. He is studying journalism at Utah Valley University and is the sports editor of the UVU Review. Follow him on Twitter @kyledspencer.
