The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The Thunderbirds stopped multiple Redhawks drives to win the 2023 UHSAA Mountain America 5A Football State Championship by the final score of 23-15. Both teams had exciting moments that kept the game undecided until the final seconds. The Redhawks played a tough and inspired game offensively and defensively, but it was not enough to overtake the Thunderbirds.

Offenses move the ball in the first quarter

The Thunderbirds took the opening kickoff and moved the ball down the field into Redhawks territory with runs by senior Tru To’a. The scoring opened with the Thunderbirds’ sophomore quarterback Helaman Casuga finding senior receiver Quezon Villa for a 32-yard touchdown pass. The score came with 8:40 in the first quarter. The Thunderbirds missed the extra point. The score stayed at 6-0.

A key play on the scoring drive was a pass interference call against the Redhawks that kept the drive going. Casuga was able to find Villa on a third down and 15 and give the momentum to the Thunderbirds.

The Redhawks would take their first offensive possession down to the Thunderbird one-yard line. Redhawks junior Emerson Geilman guided the offense with his passing and runs by sophomore Siaki Fekitoa. With 2:24 in the first quarter, the Redhawks attempted to convert on fourth and goal but were stopped on the one-yard line. The Thunderbirds took over on downs. The Thunderbirds started on their one-yard line and moved the ball to their 29-yard line before the first quarter ended with the score 6-0.

Thunderbirds quarterback Helaman Casuga

Thunderbirds stay in control in the second quarter

The Thunderbirds would score the game’s next touchdown on a one-yard run by To’a. The score stood at 13-0 with 10:54 on the clock in the second quarter. The scoring drive of 99 yards took 5:02, and the Thunderbirds pressured the Redhawks to keep the game close.

The Redhawks could not move the ball on their next possession and then had a short punt on fourth down. The Thunderbirds took over with excellent field position after the punt on the Bountiful 38-yard line with 9:22 left in the second quarter.

The Redhawks turned the Thunderbirds over on downs with 7:47 left in the second quarter, and started their next drive at their 31-yard line. Geilman would complete three straight passes to receivers Sawyer Crane, Jacob Brooks, and Faletau Satuala.

After a 12-yard Geilman run and Satuala’s 10-yard first down pass to Geilman, the Redhawks were on the Thunderbird 22-yard line with 5:36 on the clock. The Thunderbirds would tighten and force a turnover on downs on the Redhawks with 3:46 left in the second quarter. The Bountiful drive would end, and the score stayed 13-0 in favor of the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds would take over at their 15-yard line with 3:26 left before halftime and drive down the field into Redhawk territory. A 35-yard field goal by Thunderbirds sophomore kicker Luke Thornock would make the score 16-0 before halftime. A deep pass from Casuga to Villa set up the field goal for the Thunderbirds.

Redhawks fight back into the game in the third quarter

The Redhawks would make the first big play of the second half with senior Caleb Norris intercepting a Casuaga pass. That pick would give the Redhawks excellent field position with 10:14 in the third quarter. With 8:49 on the clock, the Redhawks would take advantage of the turnover with a 32-yard touchdown run by Fekitoa. A successful two-point conversion by a Geilman pass completion made the score 16-8 with 8:49 on the clock.

On the next Thunderbird possession, they would use their up-tempo offense and quickly regain the momentum with a drive into Redhawk territory. The Thunderbirds would end the drive with Casuaga finding sophomore receiver Kennan Pula on a slant route for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Thunderbirds would extend their lead to 23-8 with 7:40 in the third quarter.

With a long run, Fekitoa would get the Redhawks back inside the Thunderbirds’ 10-yard line. Timpview’s defense would hold strong, and the Redhawks would turn the ball over on downs at the five-yard line. A deep pass attempt by Casuaga was intercepted by Redhawks junior defensive back Britton Tidwell. Tidwell’s interception would give the Redhawks excellent field position on their 39-yard line.

The Thunderbirds would again respond and force a Redhawk punt after the turnover. Thunderbirds senior linebacker Paka Haunga would get a pivotal sack to end the Bountiful momentum. The third quarter would end with the Thunderbirds holding a 23-8 lead.

Redhawks Emerson Geilman takes snap

Redhawks fourth-quarter rally comes up short

The Thuderbirds defense would again show up big as Geilman attempted a deep pass attended for senior running back Brigham Morrison, but Grady Gregory intercepted the pass at the one-yard line. Gregory’s interception came with 8:28 left in the game.

Unable to get a first down on their drive, the Thunderbirds punted the ball to the Redhawks. Bountiful would respond with an impressive drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Satuala. The touchdown pass covered 20 yards, with Satuala shaking off two defenders to get into the end zone. The score came with 2:54 left in the game and made the score 23-15.

After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Redhawks, the Thunderbirds would close out the game by stopping the Redhawks on a fourth down play with :48 left in the game. The final score would be 23-15 and the Timpview Thunderbirds captured the 5A championship.

Outstanding performances

Thunderbirds receiver Villa had six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Casuaga passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively for the Thunderbirds, Haunga finished with 13 tackles and a sack, and Taani Makasini had eight tackles and a sack.

Fekitoa was the game’s leading rusher with 148 yards on 17 carries for the Redhawks. Geilman had 128 passing yards, a touchdown, and 61 yards on the ground. Satuala finished with 82 receiving yards, five catches, and a touchdown.

Redhawks senior linebacker Evan Dehart led the way with 11 tackles on defense. Norris finished the game with ten tackles and an interception for Bountiful.

photos courtesy James Tate