High school football: Senior QB Covey getting it done for T-birds

If Timpview is going to win a fifth straight 4A state football title, the Thunderbirds will need to rely heavily on quarterback Christian Covey.

They stand on solid ground.

Covey's legs, and arm for that matter, have certainly been steady enough to carry the team. But don't ask him about it.

"I know that it isn't me," the humble senior said. "I know if it weren't for my line, my receivers and the rest of my teammates, that I wouldn't be getting any of the credit that I am. Without them, I wouldn't be able to do anything."

Football is the ultimate team sport and Covey is right, but at the same time, he has turned into a tremendous playmaker and key cog for the T-birds. As Timpview ran its record to a perfect 6-0 by beating previously unbeaten Westlake 47-20 Friday night, Covey's abilities were on full display. He threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing, and he carried the ball another 16 times for 177 yards and two scores. But coach Louis Wong feels his signal caller still has more he can do.

"He did some good things, but he still has a long ways to develop," said Wong. "His leadership was good. He ran the ball well. We needed him to run the ball a little bit more than we normally like to. We need to keep him healthy because he is our guy."

Covey has been waiting for his chance to be the guy. Last year, he sat behind quarterback Trevor Brown, who was good enough to sign with Utah State. But he has dreamed of this chance ever since he watched his brother Stephen guide the attack for the T-birds during the 2003 and '04 seasons — including two straight appearances in the title game and a championship in '04.

"It is rare to get two years as the quarterback at Timpview because we always have great players," Covey said. "My brother got two years, and I just remember watching him and thinking, 'Wow, is that cool to be out there. I can't wait for it to be me.' Now, it is me, and it really is what I hoped for. I just hope that I can continue to get better and rely on my teammates to get the job done."

Covey has certainly been getting it done. Including his stats from the Westlake game, he has carried the ball 55 times for 437 yards and six touchdowns. But his legs have created plenty of plays besides just rushing. On Timpview's first touchdown against the Thunder, he probably should have been sacked a couple of times, but he was able to scramble out of trouble before finding Ricky Shumway in the back of the end zone.