High school football 4A semi preview: Team-oriented Thunderbirds are tough to take down

MTN. CREST (10-1) vs. TIMPVIEW (11-0)

Friday, 2:30 p.m. — Rice-Eccles Stadium (field turf)

Ticket information: Students can purchase tickets from high school. Fans can purchase tickets at U. ticket office

TV: None — Radio: AM1230 — Parry's Power Guide — Timpview by 13.5

From the time a young man puts the Timpview uniform on his back, he knows there will be a target firmly planted there. Becoming part of the team that has won the last two, and three of the last four, 4A state championships requires a certain mindset, a mental toughness to withstand the pressure and expectations that come with being in the Thunderbird fraternity.

"They know from Day 1 that the target is going to be there," said coach Louis Wong of his players. "We know that everyone is out to beat us, that a team is going to put in a little extra effort to try to upset Timpview. We just try to stay focused on playing our game. We want to execute our game plan, and we make sure that the kids are staying busy with the things that really matter. We are sure to take care of what we control and not what somebody else is trying to do."

Besides having talented athletes, one of the things that Wong said separates the T-Birds from other teams is buying in to a total team concept. Sure, every other program in the state preaches about being a team, but Wong feels it is the actual execution of the teaching that is special on his team.

"The real strength of our team is that they are unselfish and play as a team," he said. "Everyone understands their role on the team, and that includes everyone, not just the 22 players that start on offense and defense.

"Our scout team guys take their jobs very seriously," Wong continued. "They go out there and try to execute the other team's plays, and if they are able to get yards, or get a stop using those plays, they get excited and know they are helping us to get ready. Their unselfish attitude is a huge reason why we have had the success we do."

Another thing Wong feels separates Timpview from the rest is preparation. Other teams practice, but Wong feels the scouting, specialization and repetitions that go into the T-Birds work before the game separate them from other teams.