Game Details - Football

Timpview and Wasatch meet for the second time this season when the Thunderbirds host the Wasps in Friday's 5A first-round playoff game. The 13th-seeded Thunderbirds (5-5, 5-2 Region 7) welcome the 20th-seeded Wasps (4-6, 2-5 Region 7) in a rematch of Timpview's 33-14 victory on Sept. 12. In that region contest, Timpview built a 16-0 halftime lead, highlighted by Braxton Wilkerson's 38-yard touchdown reception before halftime and his electric 99-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Timpview enters the postseason having won its last two games, including a 34-7 triumph over Spanish Fork in the finale. The Thunderbirds faced a challenging non-region schedule with losses to West, American Fork and Lone Peak before rebounding in region play, where their only setbacks came against champion Orem (22-9) and runner-up Springville (28-0). Wasatch has lost four of its last six games, including a 38-10 defeat at Springville to close the regular season. The Wasps started 3-1 but struggled once they hit the meat of their Region 7 schedule, falling to Timpview, Orem (45-3) and Pleasant Grove (21-20) in consecutive weeks before briefly rebounding with wins over Payson (37-33) and Maple Mountain (13-7). Timpview's balanced offense features a two-quarterback system with Dennis Tua'one (807 yards, five TDs) and Cole Engemann (354 yards, four TDs) sharing duties. Wilkerson has been their primary playmaker, hauling in 14 receptions for 286 yards and four touchdowns while adding two scores on returns. Steel Richards (13 catches, 179 yards, two TDs) provides another reliable target. The Thunderbirds' ground attack is led by Hunter Hopoate (366 yards, three TDs), Taani Tuha (245 yards, six TDs) and Tua'one (116 yards, three TDs). Wasatch counters with a run-heavy approach centered around Ben Brand (915 yards, three TDs) and Jay Bradley (631 yards, four TDs). Bradley also directs the passing attack, throwing for 1,170 yards and seven touchdowns, with Cache Coombs (56 receptions, 591 yards, four TDs) as his primary target. Defensively, Timpview is anchored by Duncan Strong (84 tackles, three sacks, three INTs), Trinity To'a (77 tackles) and Lincoln Horito (46 tackles). Wilkerson has added 32 tackles and a team-high four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Wasatch's defense is led by Jack Neff (68 tackles), Ashton Nord (62 tackles, four sacks, two INTs, two defensive TDs) and Christian Zabel (38 tackles). Kicker Austin Wilde has been a weapon on special teams with 13 field goals. The winner advances to face fourth-seeded Orem in the second round on Oct. 31.