SALT LAKE CITY — It’s hard to win a football game when you turn the ball over four times.
“It’s nearly impossible,” Lehi coach Ed Larson said.
In a 35-7 loss to Timpview in the 5A football semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Pioneers did exactly that, sputtering on offense as the Thunderbirds’ defense came up with four opportune turnovers.
“Our defense was outstanding today and unfortunately, our offense couldn’t get it going. Credit to their defense,” Larson said. “It’s a heck of a season for us. We got a lot farther here than we expected and I’m proud of these guys, but it’s an uphill battle when you turn the ball over and give them short fields.”
“I’m really proud. This is awesome. These kids have busted their butts since last January. It was a great run, so we’re excited about where we are in the program. I just feel bad because I wanted to be around these guys one more week.” — Lehi coach Ed Larson
The turnover woes started early for Lehi, as the Pioneers turned the ball over on their first two possessions. Lehi fumbled on its first possession and threw an interception on its second. On their next two possessions, the Pioneers went three-and-out and Lehi was already in a 21-0 hole midway through the second quarter — a hole the Pioneers couldn’t dig themselves out of.
“It was tough to try and get them to start believing. We’ve been in a lull for a couple of weeks. That’s on me to try and get them going,” Larson said.
Lehi looked like it could make it a game as the Pioneers drove down the field in the second quarter as Carsen Manookin punctuated an eight-play, 63-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to cut the Timpview lead to 14 points going into halftime. That would be the only score the Pioneers would be able to muster for the remainder of the game, as the second half was more of the same for Lehi, which was unable to get into scoring range for the remainder of the game.
- Watch replay: Timpview 35, Lehi 7
The Pioneers threw two interceptions — one of which was a pick-six by Raider Damuni — in the second half to further doom any chances of a comeback. Lehi’s normally explosive offense, which entered the game ranked second in 5A scoring offense with 36.2 points per game, was held to just seven by Timpview’s dominant defense.
“We kind of expected them to do what they were doing. I didn’t think we matched their intensity on the offensive side of the ball and that led to pressures. When you can’t get into a rhythm, it’s very hard to get it going,” Larson said.
Despite the loss, the Pioneers had a successful season, getting all the way to Rice-Eccles Stadium for the semifinals, bouncing back from a first-round playoff exit a season ago.
“I’m really proud. This is awesome. These kids have busted their butts since last January,” Larson said. “It was a great run, so we’re excited about where we are in the program. I just feel bad because I wanted to be around these guys one more week.”