Timpview rolls into 4A semifinals

After Timpview's 57-22 rout of Spanish Fork in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state playoffs on Friday, head coach Louis Wong gathered his team together to talk about the next step.

"It's in the big house, baby!" Wong said, and his team roared.

With the preliminaries out of the way, Timpview (9-2) gets the semifinal meeting everyone has been wating for -- top-ranked Mountain Crest (10-1) at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City next Friday.

"We're coming strong," Timpview junior offensive lineman Kalvin Cusick said. "We're going to punch them in the mouth and bring it that way."

That's just the way Timpview brought it against a dangerous Spanish Fork team, running hard and scoring every time it had the ball except for its last possession, when backup quarterback Christian Covey took a knee at the Spanish Fork 13-yard line as time expired.

"The offense burned it and came out hard," Wong said. "I was really proud of the way the offensive line blocked."

It was Timpview's defense that got out to a quick start. On Spanish Fork's first offensive play, Peter Quiterio shot through and sacked Hayden Nielsen, who fumbled. Rueben Christianson recovered for Timpview at the Spanish Fork 14.

"We made a good defensive play," Wong said. "Our guy (Quiterio) swam the center, then came the sack and the fumble. It was a great start."

Four plays later, Timpview quarterback Travis Brown rolled in from six yards out for a 7-0 lead.

Spanish Fork (8-3) countered with an 11-play, 78-yard drive. Nielsen scrambled out of pressure and sped 20 yards for the touchdown and the 7-7 tie.

Timpview's offense asserted itself and scored twice on short runs by Jeremiah Burr to take a 23-7 lead early in the second quarter. Spanish Fork made it 23-14 when Nielsen connected with P.J. Inoke on a fourth-down pass for 37 yards and a touchdown.

But there was no keeping Timpview's offense down on this day. Josey Trammel scored twice in the final five minutes on a 39-yard run and a 29-yard pass reception and the Timpview lead was 37-14 at the half.

"We were double teaming together, double teaming the 'backers," Cusick said. "We were really physical."

Timpview powered to three more scores on the ground after halftime, throwing just one time in the second half. Burr scored one and junior Bryson McKenzie twice. Timpview ran for 336 yards, 100 on 16 carries from McKenzie, and finished with 22 first downs.

Nielsen was 11-of-28 for 162 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Spanish Fork.

Last year, Timpview held off Mountain Crest 37-35 in the 4A semifinals, then went on to beat Cottonwood 34-28 for the championship.

This meeting could be even better.

"This week was a good tune-up for Mountain Crest," Wong said. "They throw the ball very well and have an experienced quarterback. I like the momentum and effort the kids are getting us."

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 801-344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com.

Spanish Fork 7 7 0 8 -- 22

Timpview 15 22 14 6 -- 57

TV-Trevor Brown 6 run (Tyler Solorzano kick)

SF-Hayden Nielsen 20 run (Chet Harmer kick)

TV-Jeremiah Burr 1 run (Christian Covey run)

TV-Burr 1 run (Covey pass to Colby Jorgensen)

SF-P.J. Inoke 27 pass from Nielsen (Harmer kick)

TV-Josey Trammel 39 run (Solorzano kick)

TV-Trammel 29 pass from Brown (Solorzano kick)

TV-Burr 2 run (Solorzano kick)

TV-Bryson McKenzie 1 run (Solorzano kick)

TV-McKenzie 3 run (kick failed)

SF-Nielsen 1 run (Inoke run)