Neves helps Timpview pass Highland, seeking 4th-straight 4A title

SALT LAKE CITY — Kahi Neves knew Highland was going to come out hungry with an eye on knocking off Timpview's bid for a fourth-straight Class 4A state title.

He was ready for them, though.

Neves threw for four touchdowns and ran for one more to help the Thunderbirds outrace the upstart Rams 49-27 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in a Class 4A state semifinal Thursday afternoon.

"We've been working all year, since the summer, and it's a blessing and an honor to play in the state game," Neves said.

The Utah quarterback commit completed 15-of-24 passes for 266 yards, four touchdowns and one interceptions, spreading the ball for the Thunderbirds (11-1) to a deep receiving corps led by Sampson Nacua. The athletic Nacua led all receivers with 151 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches — a stat that barely seemed to faze Timpview coach Cary Whittingham.

"They've been doing that all year long," Whittingham said. "We expect that, and we've got to get more of it next week."

Highland (10-4) came out flying, capping its first drive of the game with James Pembroke's 12-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0 with 9:45 left in the first quarter.

But Neves charged right back, running for a 2-yard score with 4:13 remaining to tie the game early at 7-7. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound signal caller ran the ball 16 times for 97 yards, including the score, while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Neves' first touchdown pass to Nacua, a 29-yard strike with 5:05 to play in the first half, gave Timpview its first lead of the game, 14-13 — and the Thunderbirds didn't relinquish the lead again.

"He's a hard-worker, and he comes out every day getting better, elevating everything he does," Neves said of Nacua. "It showed today. He came down with a lot of great catches; I think all of our receivers came out great today.

"We've got to utilize everyone on our offense."

But it was his ability to spin the ball that impressed the crowd and lit up the scoreboard. Neves tossed five balls to Sterling Evans for 60 yards and a touchdown, and added a perfectly placed ball to a backpedaling Kyle VanLeeuwen for a touchdown with 7:51 left in the third quarter that put the Thunderbirds up 35-19.

Even as Soseti Tupola pulled the Rams within eight points, 35-27 on a 7-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter, Neves didn't panic. Instead, he calmly found Evans with a 16-yard scoring strike with 7:04 left in the game, and Saia Folaumahina's second touchdown run iced the game with 3:25 to play.

Folaumahina finished with 47 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries to bolster a Timpview offense that rang up 501 yards.

"Highland was a very well-balanced team; a great D-line, great secondary," Neves said. "They came out ready to play, so we had to come out hungry and faster. I think we capitalized on them."

The Thunderbirds advanced to face East (10-3) in the 4A state championship next week, a familiar spot for Timpview. But the three-time defending state champion Thunderbirds aren't taking anything for granted.

"Every game is a battle, and we know we've got to come in next week ready to play," Whittingham said. "East is a good team, and we've got to step up."

Pembroke rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, and added 139 yards on 10-of-21 passing with an interception.

Ryan Lambson caught six passes for 81 yards to pace the Rams' receivers.

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