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Timpview celebrates third straight 4A title
Neil K. Warner - Daily Herald Xavier Su'A Filo wasn't even supposed to be in the game when he changed it for good, but Friday night in Salt Lake City, Timpview needed an extra effort from someone on the defensive side of the ball if it was to beat Cottonwood and win its third straight 4A football title.
The T'Birds got it in Su'A Filo. Su'A Filo came up with the biggest play of the game when he blocked a punt that changed the game's momentum and helped Timpview come back and beat Cottonwood, 34-28.
Not bad for an offensive lineman.
After enjoying a 21-7 first-half lead, Timpview's defense was reeling. Cottonwood charged back to take a 28-21 lead in the third quarter.
Someone had to do something quick.
Enter Su'A Filo.
When Timpview's defense forced Cottonwood to punt, Su'A Filo came up with the biggest play of the game when he broke through the line and blocked the punt.
"That play I think I was supposed to come out, but coach told me to stay in because we didn't have the right personnel," Su'A Filo said. "There's a gap, I tried to out-quick the guy and then there was one blocker and I just tried to bull-rush him and once I got there I just stuck my hand out."
Timpview's Ofa Latu recovered the ball at the Cottonwood 24. The big play set up an 18-yard touchdown run from quarterback Casey Rumsey to tie the game at 28 with 4:13 left in the third quarter.
"That's an All-American. That play is sheer desire and will and then he played the whole second half," Wong said. "He (Su'A Filo) said, 'Coach don't take me out.' I said 'if that's what you want, that's what you're going to get.' He helped us on defense big time. He is the only guy who went both ways today."
Now with the momentum in hand, Timpview took the lead with a 3-yard touchdown run from Levi Teo, his fourth touchdown of the game, to put the T'Birds up 34-28 with 10:56 left in the game.
Timpview had a chance to add to its lead, but missed a 25-yard field goal and after a Craig Bills interception had lined up for a 41-yard field goal when a delay of game pushed the T'Birds back and they decided to punt.
But Cottonwood's hopes ended on its final drive of the game. The Colts moved the ball inside Timpview territory, but Isi Sofele couldn't hang on to a pass on 4th-and-6 and the Colts turned the ball over on downs with two minutes left in the game.
Timpview then ran out the clock and began the celebration. The T'Birds posed for team pictures and held up three fingers to signal their 3-peat and seniors talked about a perfect ending to their career.
"There's nothing else like it. The only things that could top it is marriage and having a baby," Teo said. "Three years in a row, two years undefeated in a row. Man there's nothing like that. I love these boys and these coaches with all my heart."
The first half was a tale of two quarters. Timpview led 14-0 after the first quarter and had a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter only to watch Cottonwood storm back to tie the game at the half. The Colts then took their only lead of the game on a 69-yard touchdown run by Sofele.
Timpview set the tone for the game when Rumsey engineered a 12-play 80-yard touchdown drive.
An 11-yard keeper from Rumsey set up a 1-yard touchdown run from Teo. The extra point from Jacob Hatch put Timpview up 7-0 with 5:12 left in the first quarter.
After a Cottonwood three-and-out, Timpview's second possession started on its own 22 and it looked much like the first drive. Teo scored again from a yard out, but this time he had to do it on a 4th-and-goal situation. He took the handoff and scored standing up in the closing seconds of the first quarter to put Timpview in control 14-0.
Cottonwood didn't back down. The Colts fired back with an 84-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 19-yard touchdown run from Sofele.
The only down side of scoring for Cottonwood was it gave Timpview the ball back and that meant more touches for Teo.
The T'Birds called Teo's number again. This time on a screen pass. He caught the pass and after a key block from Justin Jensen, took off down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown that put the T'Birds up 21-7 with 8:10 left in the half.
But there's a reason the Colts came into the game at 13-0. Cottonwood stayed with the hot hand and on third-and-goal gave the ball to Sofele, who scored on a run up the middle to cut the Timpview lead to 21-14 with 5:15 left in the half.
After Timpview's first punt of the game, the Colts came back to tied the game when Steve Romero hooked up with Alo Moli for a 52-yard touchdown pass.
Timpview had plenty of stars on the night. Rumsey finished 17-of-27 for 271 yards and a touchdown. Teo had 88 yards rushing and 110 yards receiving. Travis Van Leeuwen had 110 yards receiving. Sofele ended up with 201 yards on the ground for Cottonwood and scored three touchdowns.
Timpview has now won three straight 4A titles and four out of the last five. Its winning streak is now at a state record 36 games.
"It's the most unbelievable feeling," Su'A Filo said. "I've got three rings, undefeated for two years, graduating perfect senior year, it couldn't get better."
