SALT LAKE CITY — Entering their 5A semifinals clash against the Timpview T-Birds, the Lehi Pioneers could accurately boast that they had one of the more dynamic offenses in the state.
At 36.2 points per game, the Pioneers possessed the second-best scoring offense in the 5A classification, and behind quarterback Creyton Cooper, who had thrown for 2,529 yards and 33 touchdowns, the Lehi passing attack was as good as they come.
For as good as the Pioneers were all season on offense, the Timpview T-Birds defense was much better Thursday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The T-Birds held the Pioneers to only 213 yards of total offense, 82 yards rushing and 131 passing, the result of which was a 35-7 victory for Timpview.
“Our defense is loaded with special players,” Timpview coach Andy Stokes said. “They are good kids and hard workers. They go out there and everybody does their job. They get to their passing lanes, and good things happen.”
“I just read the quarterback’s eyes and made a play on the ball. Lucky enough I scored.” — Timpview’s Raider Damuni on his pick-six
Good things happened again and again Thursday.
The T-Bird’s forced four Lehi turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble.
Defensive back Raider Damuni had the highlight, a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“We had been playing deep a lot and I knew at least one play they were going to come up short, just to try and catch me off guard,” he said. “I just read the quarterback’s eyes and made a play on the ball. Lucky enough I scored.”
The interception was Damuni’s sixth of the year, the highest total on the team, and he credited the defensive game-plan for his success.
“I ended up trusting in our coaches game plan and we all executed and it helped us,” he said.
Linebacker Calvin Tonga and defensive end Logan Fano recorded the other two Timpview interceptions, aided by the T-Birds strategy of dropping eight defenders into coverage.
“We were doing a good job up front, so we were able to drop a lot of guys into coverage,” said Stokes. “It is hard as a quarterback when a team is dropping eight and you are getting pressure with three.”
The defensive front played an even bigger role on the forced fumble, as defensive end Edwen Alatini had the force, which linebacker Cael Richardson recovered.
- Watch replay: Timpview 35, Lehi 7
Turnovers were just a part of Timpview’s dominant defensive showing, though.
Four T-Birds registered sacks, including Alatini, defensive tackles Waisale Muavesi and Cyler Pitts and defensive end Braxton Fely.
Alatini, and defensive backs Vave Nui Adolpho and Logan Pili had pass breakups as well.
It was a complete defensive outing, exactly what Timpview needed to shut down the Pioneers and secure a spot in the 5A state championship game.
“This is a big win for us and we are going to the state championship,” an elated Damuni said. “I’m happy about this win.”
If the Timpview defense continues its strong play, the T-Birds and Damuni may get one more win to be happy about.