Timpview linebacker recovering from concussion

Timpview didn't have much time to celebrate its controversial 27-25 win over Mountain View. The focus of the Thunderbirds' coaching staff shifted drastically when they learned senior linebacker Sam Cusick had suffered a serious neck injury and was drifting in and out of consciousness.

"Anytime you have a kid go in an ambulance, everything changes," coach Louie Wong said. "It was definitely a little scary."

Wong said Monday that Cusick would be out at least three weeks with lingering symptoms from a serious concussion he picked up on the final play of the game. Wong said that he visited Cusick in the hospital and saw a lot of improvement from his daze on the sideline, and the senior eventually was able to return home. But Cusick is also suffering from headaches that so far have kept him out of school.

Wong stayed upbeat about his condition.

"He was talking, his arm movement was better, he was hungry, and that's always good for a young boy," he said. "We hope to have him back soon."

Meanwhile, the Highland football team is breathing a sigh of relief after finding out Monday that its offensive stars injured in Friday's game against Lone Peak should make a clean - and quick - recovery.

Coach Brody Benson confirmed that quarterback Anthony "Fish" Smithson and running back Sione Houma will return from their respective ailments within two weeks and possibly sooner. Both left in the first half of the 56-41 loss and did not return.

Smithson, one of the top scorers in Class 4A who helped lead the Rams to the title last year, left in the second quarter of the game when he injured his lateral collateral ligament playing defense. Benson said the ligament was strained in the game, and Highland is expecting their starting quarterback to return in time for its Sept. 23 road date with Bountiful, if not this week.

Houma, a Michigan commit, had only one carry before leaving the game with a sprained ankle. Benson said he was optimistic that Houma would be available for this Friday's home game against Clearfield but wasn't sure.

If Smithson were to miss Friday's game, the Rams would likely start Justin Weaver, who performed well in a backup role last week. Weaver threw two touchdowns, ran for two, and caught a touchdown pass from Smithson to keep the game from becoming a total blowout.

It's also possible that Smithson and Houma could be held in reserve this week as well - Clearfield is only 1-3 with its sole win coming against Ogden.

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon