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PROVO — Pleasant Grove executed its defensive game plan to perfection, limiting Timpview to only one offensive touchdown in a 21-19 road victory.
“The defense was great,” said Pleasant Grove head coach Les Hamilton. “We were able to get pressure on their quarterback, causing him to rush throws all night.”
Twice Timpview was set up late in the game on the Pleasant Grove 10-yard line, set to take the lead, and twice the Vikings’ defense responded. The T-Birds came away empty-handed on both occasions, missing a 27-yard field goal that would’ve pulled them within one and rushing for no gain on fourth-and-one.
The Pleasant Grove offense was able to do just enough to secure the win, scoring all of its points in the first half, despite costly miscues throughout the game that allowed Timpview to hang close.
The Vikings had 17 penalties for a total of 145 yards and turned the ball over three times, each resulting in starting field position for the T-Birds in Pleasant Grove territory.
“It means we’ve got a dangerous team,” said Pleasant Grove quarterback Jeremiah Evans about the defense’s ability to pick up the offense. “We have a defense that is going to take it all away — they’re tough.”
Timpview opened the scoring when Britain Covey scooped the opening kickoff off the turf and took it 93 yards to paydirt. It was the T-Birds' only lead of the game.
“We got a body on Covey — that was our game plan coming in, to make sure he didn’t get any easy catches,” Hamilton said. “Now we’ve just got to clean up and get ready for next week. Sometimes it’s OK to win ugly.”
Evans and the Pleasant Grove offense began the game on point, answering with a methodical drive that concluded in a 12-yard touchdown pass to Micah Jones. On the opposite end of the field, Timpview quarterback Isaiah Holloway was unable to find a rhythm, under duress all night, which frequently resulted in errant throws and Holloway on his back.
After a T-Bird three-and-out and subsequent 10-yard punt, Evans found Malik Overstreet over the middle, who made a spectacular one-handed catch to keep the Vikings’ drive alive. Overstreet extended his right arm and was able to tip the ball as it sailed over his head, corralling the football as he landed.
Spencer Romney was the recipient of the following pass from Evans, a dart that Romney snagged just before landing on the one-yard line. TJ Wind plunged into the end zone on the next play, giving the Vikings the lead for good.
Viking penalties helped propel the T-Birds across midfield, but the drive stalled after a fumbled snap on third down and Holloway’s fourth down pass to the front corner of the end zone landing just outside the reach of his intended receiver.
On Pleasant Grove’s next series, Evans found Romney again, who beat his man on a deep route and caught the ball in stride before scampering 81 yards for a touchdown.
“We had great protection up front and the receivers made the plays,” Evans said. “They ran their routes and made the catches, you couldn’t ask for anything else.”
Timpview was able to make several adjustments after the first quarter, limiting Evans’ time in the pocket to throw the ball downfield. The pressure from the T-Birds resulted in Pio Towers recording his first of two interceptions on the night, which led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Kendall Tu’ua. After a successful two-point conversion, the T-Birds were within six, but it would be the final offensive score of the night.
Timpview had plenty of opportunities to seize control of the game in the second half, but the Pleasant Grove defense stepped up on each occasion, preventing the T-Birds from converting three separate fourth-and-ones in Vikings territory.
The most dramatic fourth-down stance came after Towers' second interception set the T-Birds up at the Pleasant Grove 12 with just under five minutes to play. Led by BYU commit Zac Dawe up front, the Vikings swarmed to the ball carrier, Tu’ua, stopping him for no gain.
Timpview’s last gasp ended with Romney intercepting Holloway, who received the game ball for his performance. Pleasant Grove held the T-Birds to under 150 yards of total offense on the night.
Kyle Spencer is a ksl.com intern. He is studying journalism at Utah Valley University and is also the sports editor of the UVU Review. Follow him on twitter @kyledspencer.
