OREM — Timpanogos put an end to Payson's three-game winning streak and improved to 2-2 in a 24-10 victory that was much closer than the score.

The victory is timely, giving the Timberwolves some momentum as they begin region play.

"(This win) is huge," said Timpanogos senior Sam Ashman. "We got Lone Peak and some tough region games coming up, so it was good to get this one."

With 9:02 on the clock, the ball on the Lions 26 and a seven-point Timpanogos lead, Payson marched down the field.

Leroy Unga plowed through the T-Wolves line for a big first down inside Timpanogos territory. After an incomplete pass and some short runs, Wes Haskell avoided the T-Wolves blitz and scrambled nine yards for a huge fourth down conversion. But three plays later the Lions found themselves in a similar fourth-down predicament. With 2:46 to play, Ashman came through the Payson line almost untouched, sacked Haskell and ended the Lions' chance at tying the game.

"They called an inside blitz," Ashman said, "(Randy) McBride took the center and I got through. I gotta give all the credit to the line."

The game got off to a slow start as both teams struggled to move the ball. The Lions went three-and-out on their first to offensive series, and a Briant Hiatt interception ended the T-Wolves first drive before it even started.

A Riley Hunsaker field goal near the end of the first quarter gave Timpanogos a 3-0 edge, but Payson was quick to answer with a five-minute, 72-yard drive that ended in a Leo Corzo field goal after Hunsaker broke up two potential touchdown passes to Ngalu Naloo.

The Timberwolves ended the half with the game's first touchdown following Robbie Carter's interception on the Lion 19-yard line. Quarterback Christian Stewart found Stafford Strong in the back of the endzone, giving Timpanogos a 10-3 lead at halftime.

The second half started as sluggishly as the first. Finally, late in the third, Timpanogos running back Nash Fowler returned a Lion punt 72 yards for a touchdown.

Payson did not score again till early in the fourth quarter. After a 41-yard run by Unga and a big catch on fourth down by Spencer Thompson, Unga plowed into the endzone. That put the Lions in striking distance, 17-10.

But Taylor Lyons slammed the door after Ashman's fourth-quarter sack. Lyons carried the ball twice for 46 yards and the game-ending touchdown.