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Springville • For what seems like ages, the biggest question in 4A football has been if anyone can beat Timpview in the postseason. For the first time in five years, Springville had an answer.

The Red Devils ran away with a 38-27 win Friday night at home, ending a Thunderbirds dynasty of four consecutive 4A championships and putting one of the state's top teams to bed. Springville played with passion on both sides of the ball for possibly the biggest victory in program history.

"They're a great team, but we knew if we got them at home, we had to win," defensive end Brody Swanson said. "We had to get every little thing right. We had to take advantage of our opportunities, and we did. We beat No. 1."

Swanson was one of a number of outstanding playmakers for Springville, which broke the game open in the final four minutes of the second quarter with three unanswered touchdowns. Even Timpview coach Louie Wong had to admit was a team that played with a lot of heart.

"We got outplayed tonight, and you have to give them a lot of credit," Wong said. "They can definitely win the championship if they keep playing the way they played us."

Things didn't start out so auspiciously for the Red Devils. The Thunderbirds got on the board first with a touchdown run from Bryson McKenzie. In Springville's first few possessions, quarterback Steven Bate and his receivers struggled to get on the same page.

"We knew the defense had to make it happen tonight," defensive tackle John Topou said. "We kept hustling, and we kept going after them."

The momentum started rolling back the other way when Swanson took a direct snap in a wildcat formation and took off. The 6-foot-2 250-pound defensive lineman rumbled 72 yards for a touchdown, leaving tripped-up cornerbacks in his wake and tying the game.

"I felt a hand on my foot, but I kept going," Swanson said. "I knew no one was going to catch me."

It was the catalyst Springville needed. In the four minutes remaining before halftime, Bate would throw an 83-yard touchdown pass and scamper 18 yards for another score to seize a 21-7 lead. In that same time, the Red Devils defense would sack Timpview quarterback Christian Covey and force him into two interceptions.

Timpview played from behind for the rest of the game. Covey led a grinding offensive attack that managed 20 more points, but Springville kept coming up with answers. Bate threw two more touchdown passes in the second half, and Swanson, Topou and the Red Devil defense kept managing to get their mitts on Covey and the Thunderbird running backs.

Jared Chichia finally kicked a field goal with four minutes left gave Springville the insurance they need to cruise to the semifinals.

"It was really emotional, and our team stepped up," said Matt Sumsion, who nabbed two touchdown passes, an interception and two sacks in the game while playing on both sides of the ball. "They came out a little soft, and we hit them in the mouth."

After the game, the crowd joined their Devils out on the field, both celebrating and reflecting. The last time Springville played Timpview was in the 2009 championship game - also the last time linebacker Brandon Curtis took the field before dying from injuries sustained in an auto accident before the season.

"He's been on our mind all year, and I think about Brandon often," Springville coach Scott Mitchell said, tearing as he spoke. "[This win] is a moment of sweetness in the sorrow."

On the other end of the field, Timpview also took time to cherish each other's company. Players and coaches went around in a circle, hugging each other and holding back strained sobs after seeing a dynasty come to an end.

"People don't realize how hard it is to win championships, especially with this kind of pressure," Wong said. "I think these guys learned a lot about themselves tonight. I told them I loved them, and I don't love them any less because they lost."

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

Timpview's run ends

• The Thunderbirds won the 4A title each of the last four seasons.

• Springville also ends Timpview's undefeated season and 20-game winning streak.

• The last team to beat Timpview in the playoffs was East in the 4A quarterfinals, 49-30, on Nov. 4, 2005.