High school football 4A preview: Sky View at Timpview

Sky View (8-3) at Timpview (10-0)

4A state tournament quarterfinal

Friday, 3 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Timpview by 11 points

All-time series: Timpview leads 2-1

Coach vs. Coach: First meeting between Sky View's Craig Anhder and Timpview's Louis Wong

Last meeting: 3A quarterfinal, Nov. 7, 1986 — Timpview 27, Sky View 7

Sky View coach Craig Anhder and his Bobcats aren't exactly scared to play Timpview, winners of 33 straight games, two consecutive 4A titles and three of the last four, but that doesn't mean that they don't understand the long odds they are up against in trying to beat the Thunderbirds in the 4A quarterfinals Friday afternoon.

"We will need to play our best game of the year, and then get a little lucky," said Anhder. "We are going to go out there and play against the Timpview on the field. We will try to do the best we can and see if on that day, it is good enough."

The Bobcats have several reasons to be cautiously optimistic of their chances of an upset. First is the return to full strength of quarterback Kyler Carlsen. After missing some time and struggling to come back from an injury, the man in charge of the offense is back and playing to his potential.

"Kyler works very hard and understands our system," said Anhder. "You can tell him something once and he gets it. If he sees something in practice once, he can apply that in a game situation and be very successful at it. He is playing very well for us right now."

Another reason why Sky View may be able to compete is J.D. Falslev. The scat-back/return man is simply electric anytime he gets the ball. With a weapon that has that type of game-breaking ability, he could break a few big plays against a defense that is extremely tough to maintain a consistent scoring drive on.

"He is very competitive. He always wants to be his best, better than what he is," Anhder said of Falslev. "He has that drive, desire to succeed, and then he has been given some special, god-given talent that helps him to be able to do things on the field that not a lot of people can do."

Besides those offensive weapons, Sky View boasts one of the best pass rushers in the state in Eric Bernston. Riley Spackman is a tackling machine, and Brayden Compton is a ball hawk with five interceptions.

But according to Anhder, the biggest strength of the team isn't any one player.