Well for one, it’s a playoff game and the stakes are a little higher. We had a good outing on our first trip and our kids have been eager for an opportunity for another chance to play Timpview. – Sky View coach Craig Anhder, whose team lost to Timpview to start this season
PROVO — In regards to a football season, Sky View and Timpview played when dinosaurs roamed.
In the first week, the Bobcats nearly shocked the state before the Thunderbirds scored 13-straight points and survived 34-28 on their home turf. Now, 11 weeks removed, the two meet again Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the 4A quarterfinals at Timpview.
“Well for one, it’s a playoff game and the stakes are a little higher,” Sky View coach Craig Anhder said. “We had a good outing on our first trip and our kids have been eager for an opportunity for another chance to play Timpview.”
“I’d assume that they’ve gotten better at what they do — it looks like it from the film,” Timpview coach Cary Whittingham added. “So, maybe both sides got a little more polished. We’ve made a few personnel changes and we think they’re working out pretty well for us.”
The specific change Whittingham referred to is Britain Covey’s insertion as the starting quarterback. In the first meeting, Isaiah Holloway handled the offense and threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns on 15 of 19 attempts. Covey, on the other hand, caught eight balls for 103 yard and a score at receiver. But after Holloway suffered an injury the following week, Covey led the T-Birds (10-1) over Alta with 256 total offensive yards and four touchdowns.
“We expect for him to continue what he’s been doing since he’s been put in, and Isaiah is giving us a whole lot at receiver and corner. Those changes have worked out well for us.”
Since the switch became solidified, Covey has thrown for 1,316 yards and 21 touchdown while adding 928 yards and 13 scores with his feet.
“We have to contain him in the pocket,” Sky View coach Craig Anhder said. “We cannot let him get out and run around. He’s very athletic, he runs the ball very well and we’ve got to try and mix up the defenses a little bit, so he’s confused in what he’s seeing.”
The Bobcats (9-2) are also led by a mobile quarterback — Braxton Godderidge. He’s thrown for 2,704 yards and 29 touchdowns along with 414 yards and eight scores on the ground. He’s complemented by Dane Anderson in the backfield and Logan Miller on the outskirts.
Whittingham said that playing a team for the second time in the playoffs heightens awareness.
“The one thing I’d say is it helps kids understand that we’ve got our hands full with Sky View. We were fortunate to come out on the winning end on that one, and so the kids absolutely understand that they can’t take Sky View lightly because they know they’re a good team,” he said. “As opposed to having a team that you’ve never played, and after having an awesome win like we did last week — the kids have one of those trap games. I think they will be ready for this one knowing they’ve got their work cut out for them.”
Coupled with an underdog mentality that he says his team has felt “all year,” Anhder believes the biggest tool the Bobcats have at their disposal can’t be measured.
“Our kids have great heart,” he said. “This group of kids, they’ve worked very hard and they’re very committed. They want to continue to play football, and that’s a huge strength. We’re going to take that and go out and play the very best game we possibly can.”
Sky View statistical breakdown
Scoring offense: 41.6 ppg (2nd in 4A)
Scoring defense: 19.4 ppg (8th in 4A)
Passing leader: Braxton Godderidge (185-277, 66.8%, 2,704 yards, 29 TDs)
Rushing leaders: Dane Anderson (207 carries, 1,106 yards, 14 TDs), Braxton Godderidge (75 carries, 414 yards, 8 TDs)
Receiving leaders: Logan Miller (51 catches, 941 yards, 15 TDs), Alex McCrae (26 catches, 307 yards, 5 TDs)
Tackles leaders: Drake Oldham (78 tackles), Dane Anderson (58 tackles)
Sack leaders: Max Christensen (13 sacks), Colton Durrant (8.5 sacks)
Interception leaders: Logan Miller (4 INTs)
Timpview statistical breakdown
Scoring offense: 41.2 ppg (3rd in 4A)
Scoring defense: 12.3 ppg (1st in 4A)
Passing leader: Britain Covey (102-147, 69.4%, 1,316 yards, 21 TDs)
Rushing leaders: Britain Covey (85 carries, 928 yards, 13 TDs), Kendall Tuua (161 carries, 948 yards, 8 TDs)
Receiving leaders: Rhett VanLeeuwen (29 catches, 260 yards, 4 TDs), Mitchell Stephenson (30 catches, 247 yards, 5 TDs)
Tackles leaders: Emmett Tela (61 tackles), Gabe Reid (60 tackles), Pio Stowers (59 tackles)
Sack leaders: Isaiah Nacua (15 sacks), Gabe Reid (13.5 sacks)
Interception leaders: Pio Stowers (6 INTs), Hasting Madsen (5 INTs), Emmett Tela (3 INTs)
Felt’s Facts for Sky View High School
All-time record: 233-245-8 (50 years)
Region championships: 6 (1969, 1972, 1979 co, 1982, 2006, 2007 co)
Playoff appearances: 22
All-time playoff record: 9-21 (including 2013)
State championships: 0
State championship record: 0-1
Felt’s Factoid(s): Sky View clashed with Mountain Crest in the 1987 Class 3A championship in front of a state-record 19,887 fans at Utah State’s Romney Stadium.
Felt’s Facts for Timpview High School
All-time record: 291-109 (36 years)
Region championships: 18 (1977 co, 1986 co, 1991, 1992, 1993 co, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 co, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013)
Playoff appearances: 33
All-time playoff record: 61-23 (including 2013)
State championships: 9 (1986, 1991, 1997, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012)
State championship record: 9-1
Felt’s Factoid(s): Timpview owns the second-longest winning streak in state history at 36, dating from Sept. 15, 2006, to Nov. 21, 2008. ... The Thunderbirds hold the record for total yards in a championship game, 611 in the 4A final in 2007. ... Timpview’s Andrew Badger holds the state record for yards gained per reception during a season with 35.80 in 2003.
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