The Timpview Thunderbirds don't play the same brand of football as the East Leopards, but they've played plenty of teams that do.
So far this season — against strong, athletic and physical ball-control teams — the T-Birds (10-1) have fared pretty well. And against the Leopards' wing-T attack in the 4A semifinals on Friday, they don't expect to see anything they haven't seen yet. Plus, they experienced firsthand all East had to offer in last season's playoffs.
"I know they knocked us out of the quarterfinals last year, and I don't need to know anything else," Timpview coach Louis Wong said. "We know they play hard and don't take any plays off. We know they want to win just as bad as we do."
On the other hand, the Leopards (9-3) will be going up against the biggest and one of the deepest teams they've faced this season. East coach Aaron Whitehead said defensively this version of the T-Birds are a better team than the Leopards faced last year.
"We haven't played a team yet this season that's like Timpview," Whitehead said.
As Wong is telling his players, the Leopards are a three-headed rushing monster. They have three powerful and speedy backs who have combined to rush for nearly 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns. In upsetting the top-ranked Sky View Bobcats last week, East gained more than 400 yards on the ground.
"I don't think they want to pass the ball, so if we can force them to pass the ball, I think we have a good chance of coming out on top," Wong said.
If any team should be able to stop East, it's Timpview. The T-Birds are giving up a state low 5.5 points per game and didn't allow a touchdown for 27 straight quarters this season.
With Timpview's stingy defense, the Leopards are not expecting a high-scoring shootout. That's why they'll have to play solid on both sides of the football. The T-Birds have been getting excellent play up front from a huge offensive line, which has helped their rushing game explode in the second half of the season. Falling behind early to Timpview's quick-strike attack could force the Leopards into a new game plan, which has the Leopards knowing they have to enter this game focused and well-prepared.
"Normally, the coaches have to remind the players of that, but they've taken on the responsibility to do that themselves, and that shows me that they'll be ready," Whitehead said.
Both teams have been good in the playoffs of protecting the ball, and both have huge advantages in take-aways. The Leopards capitalized last week on six Sky View turnovers. The T-Birds forced West into five turnovers in the opening round and had six takeaways last week against Cottonwood.
"That's something we put a lot of focus on," Wong said.
4A SEMIFINAL: East Leopards (9-3) vs. Timpview Thunderbirds (10-1)
When: Friday, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, University of Utah
How they got here: The Leopards beat Springville 39-19 in round one and blasted Sky View 51-34 last week. The T-Birds walloped West 48-0 in the first round and pounded Cottonwood in the quarterfinals 48-14.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
East: The Leopards offense revolves around tailback Jake Cook, who has 22 rushing TDs and is averaging nearly 11 yards per carry. Brothers Tusi Masiva and Kali Masiva have combined for more than 1,200 yards rushing and 10 TDs. Quarterback Dan Johnson makes good decisions and has 10 throwing touchdowns. Receivers Tanner Bowman and Sean Swenson give the team good offensive balance.
Timpview: The T-Birds' big offensive man of late has been running back Jackson Owen, who has 15 scores and averages 7 yards per carry and 134 yards per game. Quarterback Quin Mecham has 15 passing TDs, with Mark Ercanbrack catching seven of those and Todd Salmon five. The defensive stoppers are defensive ends Kevin Bills and Famika Anae, and defensive back Sean Clark, Jordan Troxel and Kawai Kauo.
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com