American Fork's Dalin Afu did it all in Cavemen's win over Timpview

PROVO — As a captain, American Fork senior Dalin Afu is used to standing tall.

But on Friday night, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound edge rusher had to get high, low and everything in between to help the Cavemen escape with a victory.

Afu ran for a touchdown on a 2-yard jumbo package, then recovered a fumble for another touchdown with 15 seconds left in the first half en route to American Fork's 28-26 win over Timpview, earning him Cafe Rio Game Night Live player of the game honors as the Cavemen improved to 2-1 on the season.

"I feel like we're really slept on right now," Afu said. "Everyone is overlooking us; we're just trying to come in week in and week out to prove that everyone we can compete, and try to kill that drought of a state championship."

Afu is also slept on personally, but underrate him at your own peril. The unrated recruit by 247Sports has offers to play football at the next level at San Jose State, Northern Arizona and Utah Tech, and he's also a standout flanker and eight-man with the Cavemen rugby squad while maintaining a 3.2 GPA.

But on Friday night, he also stepped up as a leader. After Afu's heads' up play lifted American Fork to a 21-14 lead at halftime, the Cavemen opened the third quarter with a punishing drive that ended with Ben Iongi's 1-yard TD plunge with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter.

But Timpview wasn't done, as Matthew Manuma connected with star receiver Dennis Tua'one twice int he fourth quarter. The Cavemen blocked their second point-after touchdown attempt on the first, and Manuma's 2-point conversion pass fell short with 3:24 remaining to help American Fork hold on.

"Obviously, we wanted to come out here and show everyone that we can compete with the best," Afu said. "It's obviously not the performance we wanted. But we have another week to get back to it, another great team in Farmington, and we just need to get back to it."

After three-straight road games to open the season, including a 31-11 loss at California power Mater Dei in Santa Ana, the Cavemen (finally) open at home Friday against Farmington with a little something more to prove.

"We're coming," Afu said. "Don't sleep on us."

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