5A Championship Preview: Timpview vs Lehi

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5A championship game is set between the two-seeded Timpview Thunderbirds (10-2) and the top-seeded and undefeated Lehi Pioneers (13-0). Both teams have scored over 530 points on the season and have explosive playmakers all over the field. Defensively the Pioneers have been stronger, only allowing 103 points, while the Thunderbirds have given up 237. Lehi is looking to repeat as state champions while Timpview is looking for their first since 2013 after they threepeated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two teams come in with completely different quarterbacks and offensive philosophies. For Lehi, senior signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='406873' first='Jackson' last='Brousseau'] has dominated the state and is one of the best passers in Utah. Under center for the Thunderbirds is true freshman [player_tooltip player_id='212444' first='Helaman' last='Casuga'] who split reps at the position for much of the season. Casuga has made big plays all year, and his poise in the pocket is remarkable. Both teams have potent offensive lines and rushing attacks, but the Thunderbirds, in particular, have stood out. Timpview has the state's second-leading rusher in [player_tooltip player_id='406949' first='Micah' last='Beckstead'] and an offense led by two power five tackles in [player_tooltip player_id='406855' first='Spencer' last='Fano'] and Alai Kalaniuvalu. For the Pioneers Running back Carson Gonzales, offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='406960' first='Jensen' last='Somerville'], and [player_tooltip player_id='406884' first='Austin' last='Boyd'] have led Lehi on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Defensively both teams are stacked with high-level talent. For the Pioneers, defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='406863' first='Isaac' last='Terrell'] has eight sacks and is a menace off the edge. Watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='406899' first='Kadiyon' last='Sweat'] in the Lehi secondary, who has seven interceptions, with two coming in last week's Semifinal shootout of the state's highest-scoring offense, the Stansbury Stallions. For the Thunderbirds linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='406854' first='Siale' last='Esera'] has over 70 tackles and can do anything you would ask from a front seven defender at a high level. In the secondary defensive back, Haven Halliday leads Timpview in interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Lehi and Timpview have a great combination of elite players and coaching. This should be a great game between the clear best teams in the 5A classification. This is either team's game, but I believe Timpview will be able to win the trenches and thus dominate the time of possession. [player_tooltip player_id='406949' first='Micah' last='Beckstead'] will have another dominant performance that leads to a thrilling 31-28 Thunderbirds win and state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->