OREM — It would have been easy for Pleasant Grove to overlook Timpanogos after an emotional, hard-fought win over powerhouse Timpview last week. But the Vikings weren't having any of that.
Dallas Lloyd threw for two touchdowns, both to Jason Fanaika, and DJ Doman returned two interceptions for touchdowns to provide Pleasant Grove with a relatively easy 34-6 win over the T-Wolves on Friday night.
Both teams struggled early on. In fact, the Vikings didn't get their initial first down until their third possession of the game. By that time, Timpanogos had already missed a field goal, which would have given it the early lead.
"I think we were a little tight," said Pleasant Grove coach Dale Sampson. "This is still a rival high school. A couple of things didn't go well at first and we had to play a little catch up, but once Dallas got into the flow and got the jitters out he got moving."
He finally got moving as the first quarter was coming to a close with four completions for 44 yards during a five-minute, 78-yard drive. The drive culminated in a 9-yard touchdown pass to Fanaika.
Two minutes later, after forcing the T-Wolves to go four-and-out, Lloyd connected again with Fanaika on a touchdown pass on the Vikings' next play from scrimmage. This time it was a 44-yard reception that moved the Vikings ahead 14-0.
"That's a fun hook up right there," said Sampson, regarding the Lloyd-Fanaika connection. "He's (Fanaika) a pretty good target going down there and once he catches the ball, you better watch out."
On the T-Wolves' next possession, Damian Rivers' pass was tipped and then picked off by Doman, who returned the ball 43 yards for the score.
In just about four minutes, the Vikings had taken a scoreless game to a 21-0 lead. Winston Sorhaitz capped off the first half scoring with a 32-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining. He added another 36-yard field goal late in the third quarter to push the lead to 24-0.
"We've been bringing him (Sorhaitz) along and bringing him along and he's destined to be a factor in our season and a go to guy," said Sampson.
The Vikings' final score came on a 46-yard interception return by Doman.
"I can't think of anything greater than for someone to have two picks and then return them for touchdowns," said Sampson. "He's starting to step up and, I'll tell you what, he's got a little bit of stride once he's caught the ball."
JD Ashman scored Timpanogos' only touchdown on a 33-yard reception from Rivers with 1:16 remaining in the game. Ashman almost had another score on the final play of the first half. Brooks Fowler pitched the ball to Rivers, who connected with Ashman on a 77-yard pass play. Ashman was caught from behind on the 4-yard line as time ran out.
Pleasant Grove improved to 2-0, while Timpanogos dropped to 1-1.