Provo football confidently rides 4-0 start under 2nd-year coach


4 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

PROVO — Friday night's high school football game is a big one for Provo High.

And not just because the Bulldogs are playing archrival Timpview, the defending Class 4A state champions at 7 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium.

Provo (4-0, 1-0 Region 7) is undefeated and riding a wave of confidence under second-year coach Tony McGeary as well as an offense that includes senior quarterback Viliami Iongi and wide receiver Ty Jones.

But that isn't the reason for the school's first 4-0 start to a season since 1988.

"It's our defense that's really holding us together," said Jones, who has a team-high 267 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 15 catches. "Our offense is good, but we've been slacking a bit. Our defense has been able to keep us together until we can get to our full potential as an offense."

The Bulldogs have wins over Cedar, Judge Memorial, Payson and Mountain View in the opening weeks of the season, including last week's 38-0 shutout of the Bruins in both school's Region 7 opener. The defense, led by Ta'au Lesa and his 23 tackles and three interceptions, has held each of the Bulldogs' four opening opponents to 20 points or less

But they know Friday night's contest — recently dubbed one of the top rivalries in the nation by GreatAmericanRivalry.com — will be different.

"It's going to be a great game," said Iongi, who has completed 60 of 90 passes for 817 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions. "I'm too excited. I wish it was Friday already. I feel like the whole city of Provo is going to be there, supporting us."

For Jones, the matchup against the Thunderbirds (3-1, 1-0) will be a chance to prove his team against the state's best. The Bulldogs haven't defeated Timpview since 1989, and the Thunderbirds are winners of the past three Class 4A state titles. Provo, meanwhile, hasn't made the first round of the playoffs since 2009, when the Bulldogs finished the regular season 8-2 before a first-round playoff exit.

Provo coach Tony McGeary draws out a play in practice at Provo High School on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. (KSL TV)
Provo coach Tony McGeary draws out a play in practice at Provo High School on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. (KSL TV)

Every year since 2011, in fact, the Bulldogs' season has ended at the hands of their crosstown rivals. But with realignment and the joining of schools into one region between Provo and Sandy, the two rivals will square off with unbeaten 1-0 records in just the second week of region play.

"It's a great feeling. We worked really hard in the offseason, and we took what talent we had and put hard work to it and it multiplied," Iongi said. "It's awesome seeing it pay off on the field for us."

But things have been different on Bulldog Boulevard since McGeary took over the head coaching position last year. Provo started the 2014 season 3-0 in the former Lone Peak coach's first season before an injury to Iongi shook up the less-experienced squad.

But the Bulldogs returned all but one player from last year's defense, and each of the main skill positions on offense, including Jones and fellow wideout Tevita Ika, who has 260 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

Still, that isn't the most important change to 2015, according to Jones.

"It's our mentality," Jones said. "We know that we haven't really done anything, so we just keep our heads down and show up every day on the practice field. That's the biggest thing."

That mentality has Jones, a junior, among the top receivers in the state. The Utah commit has brought a spark to the Provo offense.

"He's a great guy to go to," McGeary said. "We've got some other weapons out there, but when you are in a crunch, Ty gives us a great target out there, and he has an ability to take it to the house with the long ball. We're really excited about some of the weapons we have offensively."

Iongi said the key to the Bulldogs' hot start is on McGeary and the rest of the coaching staff. Provo limped through four straight losing seasons before the new coach's arrival, including a 4-26 mark in three of those years. Before the move, McGeary helped Lone Peak to a 51-12 record and a 14-0 season and the Class 5A state title in 2011.

But McGeary deferred the four straight wins on the players and the load of returning experience.

"This is my second year here, and the kids are real familiar with playing our scheme of ball," McGeary said. "Everybody has one year under their belts, and that's really been the key. They're gelling together as a team from last year."

Photos

Most recent Sports stories

Related topics

SportsHigh School
Sean Walker

    ARE YOU GAME?

    From first downs to buzzer beaters, get KSL.com’s top sports stories delivered to your inbox weekly.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast