The Timpview Thunderbirds are 5A football state champions.
Taking on the Bountiful Redhawks at Rice Eccles Stadium, the Thunderbirds maintained control through all four quarters, en route to a 23-15 victory.
In their first title victory since 2014, sophomore quarterback Helaman Casuga led the Thunderbirds with more than 300 passing yards and two touchdowns.
After losing in triple-overtime to Lehi last season, this title victory meant a little extra to Casuga.
“Being in this type of stage is amazing. We were here last year and that game was heartbreak,” said Casuga. “I had the determination to come back here and get my ring.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Timpview Thunderbirds celebrate their 5A State Championship over the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Timpview Thunderbirds celebrate their 5A State Championship over the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Timpview Thunderbirds celebrate their 5A State Championship over the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Timpview Thunderbirds celebrate their 5A State Championship over the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jackson Farrar
(7), runs the ball for Timpview as Evan Dehart defends for Bountiful, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Timpview Thunderbird wide receiver Tei Nacua grabs a pass, as Joshua Liljenquist defends for Bountiful, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Helaman Casuga throws a pass for the Timpview Thunderbirds, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Timpview Thunderbird wide receiver Jaron Pula tries to grab a pass, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jackson Farrar
(7), runs the ball for Timpview as Evan Dehart defends for Bountiful, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Timpview Thunderbirds celebrate their 5A State Championship over the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jackson Farrar (7), runs the ball for Timpview as Evan Dehart defends for Bountiful, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Timpview Thunderbird wide receiver Tei Nacua reaches for a pass, as Brock Mcswain defends for Bountiful, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bountiful QB runs for the Redhawks, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Faletau Satuala runs for a Bountiful touchdown, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Faletau Satuala runs for a Bountiful touchdown, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tru To'a runs for the Thunderbirds, as Britton Tidwell defends for Bountiful , in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Morrison runs for the Redhawks, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Siaki Fekitoa runs for the Redhawks, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Quarterback Helaman Casuga runs for Timpview, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bountiful quarterback Emerson Geilman runs for the Redhawks, as Nelesoni Tuua defends for Timpview, in 5A State playoff action between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Timpview Thunderbirds celebrate their 5A State Championship over the Bountiful Redhawks, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
Timpview’s composure was on display Friday night, with Its defense holding Bountiful scoreless in the first half and warding off a late-game push by the Redhawks. To Thunderbirds’ head coach Donny Atuaia, their losing experience last season helped prepare them for the bright lights of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
“You know, we have great leaders on this team; ones who even keep us calm as coaches,” said Atuaia. “We’ve learned through these challenges. We are number one, brother, because we can deal with these challenges better than anyone else.”
