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SPRINGVILLE — It was the perfect kind of game for Timpview linebacker Paka Haunga: defensive, gritty, a shutout.
And an interception to top it off.
The 5-foot-11 senior reeled in his first takeaway of the year, and Timpview kept Springville out of the end zone en route to a 17-0 win Friday to open Region 7 play.
"These rough games are my type," Haunga said with a smile. "I like all that."
Helaman Casuga threw a touchdown pass early, Quezon Villa added a rushing score late, and the defense held strong to lift the Thunderbirds to the win.
Through five games of the regular season, Timpview (3-2, 1-0 Region 7) is holding in-state competition to 23.0 points per game. That's the good news. Not so good? The Thunderbirds are scoring just 25.3, including a 57-35 loss at Los Alamitos (California) a week ago.
More often than not, though, Timpview is relying on its strong defensive identity, which was a bonus against Springville and its standout running back Tevita Valeti, who averaged 6.95 yards per carry and 158 yards per game with 13 touchdowns in the Red Devils' first four games.
"They were pretty gritty, especially our defense," Timpview coach Donny Atuaia said. "They showed up and were well prepared. Again, we left a lot of points on the table. If we can sustain drives and keep our offense on the field, we'll be a much more dangerous team. We're a little hit and miss offensively, but I think we've got a lot of room for improvement, especially us coaches."
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring on Trinity To'a's 23-yard field goal, and closed out the first quarter with Casuga's 5-yard strike to Braxton Wilkerson to go up 10-0.
It could've been much worse but for a personal foul penalty at the 5-yard line, a blocked field goal, and another foul that forced Timpview's second punt of a first half the visiting defense otherwise controlled.
But the defense didn't need any more.
Marley Filiaga batted down a pair of passes at the line of scrimmage, and Haunga secured a pick over the middle during a third quarter when Timpview had just two drives, both ending in punts.
"We got a lead," Haunga said. "Then we just relaxed and had fun. That's what it's all about."
Casuga finished off the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run with 4:18 remaining, capping a drive that included eight rushes on 10 plays with the final score of the night.
Springville quarterback Rock Valeti drove the Red Devils to the 9-yard line in the final moments of the game, but his pass to prevent the shutout with 40 seconds left wasn't secured as the Thunderbirds clinched the shutout.
"Everything was leading up to this game, and we have Orem next week," Atuaia said. "We have a tough region, and we like it. The schedule led up to Springville, so it was very good that we were able to see where we were at."
Timpview, which won't play a home game this season until Sept. 29, kicks off at Orem next Friday at 7 p.m. MDT.
Valeti ran for over 100 yards for Springville (3-2), which plays at Cedar Valley next Friday.
