High school football: Provo win sets up big matchup with Timpview

OREM — Neither the sloppy conditions, nor the Orem defense could slow down Provo as the Bulldogs dismantled the Tigers 34-13 Wednesday night. The win keeps Provo's region championship hopes alive and sets up a big game next week as the Bulldogs will clash with cross-town rival Timpview for the Region 7 title.

"We're just happy to be on this ride," said Provo coach Saia Pope following the win. "We knew Orem was tough, they have a real good ground game, but we came out and played good defense."

Undefeated in region play, and with the Timpview game a week away, some may have seen this as a trap game for the Bulldogs. Overlooking an average Orem team with aspirations of what lies ahead may have spelled disaster for Provo, but a fast start erased any doubt that Provo brought its A game.

After forcing Orem (3-2, 4-5) to punt on its first possession, the Bulldogs got a shot of adrenalin as return man Maka Unufe caught the punt, made a move and dashed 72 yards for the touchdown. As Unufe crossed the goal line, giving his team an early 7-0 lead, a collective groan of disappointment could be heard from the Orem bench.

It didn't take long for Provo (5-0, 8-1) to strike again to take a two-touchdown advantage midway through the first quarter. Bulldog quarterback Matt Griner threw a jump ball into the end zone, which Unufe came down with for the 16-yard touchdown reception. The score was Unufe's second of the game and he would tote the rock across the goal line twice more before the night was through.

Not ready to lie down, the Tigers put together a drive early in the second quarter behind power back Jeremiah Tiatia. Tiatia ran the ball right at the Provo defense and eventually scored on a fourth down play from seven yards out. The touchdown cut the Bulldog lead to 21-7 heading into the break.

As if on cue, the Bulldogs squelched any momentum the Tigers may have had when, on the opening kick off of the second half, Unufe rattled off a 90-yard return for the touchdown. The rout wasn't over, and Unufe wasn't through as Griner hooked up with his receiver again on a 17-yard touchdown pass later in the quarter to give Provo a 34-7 lead.

With the win Provo now has the chance to go up against the T-Birds, who are also undefeated in region, for bragging rights in Region 7. The Bulldogs have their work cut out for them as this installment of the rivalry is shaping up to be the best it has been in some time.

"Bottom line right now is that Timpview is the best 4A team in the state," Pope said. "We know we'll have our hands full, but we're going to be hungry for the win."