Covey, Timpview win third consecutive state championship


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SALT LAKE CITY — The Class 4A state championship featured two football teams with vastly different storylines.

Roy entered as the underdog with a lack of recent football success. On the other hand, Timpview entered as one of the elite programs of the past decade, winning six state titles.

On top of that, the Thunderbirds entered Friday’s championship game as a two-time defending champions under coach Cary Whittingham.

The Thunderbirds added yet another chapter to their storied football history by beating Roy, 28-7, to win their third consecutive state championship Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

After being held scoreless in the first half, Timpview went on a 28-0 run in the second half with quarterback Britain Covey leading the charge with 126 rushing yards.

Whittingham said the second-half offensive outburst was a result of more aggressive play-calling.

“The offensive coaches changed up some of the scheme,” said Whittingham, who has been at the helm of the Timpview three-peat. “Changing up some things and getting some production going, really helped. I think they were committed a little more to pounding the ball and running it.”

Both teams entered the game undefeated and were coming off dominant victories in the semifinals. Timpview beat Woods Cross, 41-13, and Roy shutout Corner Canyon, 39-0.

The defensive focus continued in the championship’s first half with both teams combining for only 205 yards total offense. Also, each team forced a turnover.


"Everybody wants to win, but they put in the work. They do a good job of working very hard to make sure that they do win," said Timpview coach Cary Whittingham, referring to his team.

Timpview and Roy were high-scoring offenses all season, but only seven points were scored in the first half. It was the Royals who got on the board with 4:06 left in the first quarter when Baby Tee Eteuati caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Skidmore.

The Thunderbirds turned on the offense in the second half. In the third quarter, Timpview scored 14 points in a span of 1:21 to go from being scoreless to holding th lead.

First, Covey threw a 12-yard pass to Jordy Espinoza, and then Will Watanabe returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Timpview intercepted Skidmore twice. The the first interception by Timpview’s Spencer Niutupuivaha set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Covey to Samson Nacua. Timpview's final score came on a 3-yard run by Tristan Bradley.

The Royals gained only 80 yards in the second half, while the Thunderbirds gained 193 yards.

Whittingham said the team’s senior leadership helped steady Timpview after the Thunderbirds tallied only 65 yards in the first half.

“Everything was dependent (on the leadership),” he said. “If it wasn’t for that senior leadership who knows how it goes? But, that’s what you always expect, is the seniors on your team to give you that kind of leadership and we sure have those kinds of seniors that do it.”

Covey finished the game with 140 rushing yards and 97 passing yards and two touchdowns.

The senior quarterback said Timpview’s successful tradition is directly attributed to the team’s relationships.

“There’s no better way to teach overcoming adversity than football,” he said. “You overcome so much throughout the season and you do it with the guys you love.

“I wish people outside of the Timpview area understood the tradition at Timpview. It really is the closest band of brothers that I’ve ever been with, that I’ve ever seen. We are all best friends.”

Whittingham said the team’s run is a testament to the dedication of the players.

“It’s easy to say you want to win,” he said. “Everybody wants to win, but they put in the work. They do a good job of working very hard to make sure that they do win.”

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