Running back helping get Colts back on track

MURRAY — Call it a moment of realization. Not of some profound, previously unknown truth but a realization of potential.

As Stanley Havili crossed the goal line virtually untouched on a 28-yard pass from Alex Cate, the senior running back stood calmly with one hand on his hip, his chest out and his mind clear. He took in the scene surrounding what was an exclamation-point score in a 42-0 Cottonwood win over Cyprus and knew. He just knew.

And he posed, enjoying the scene.

"I realized after that touchdown," Havili said, "that we were starting to click. We were on a roll."

That's good news for Colts fans and bad news for the rest of Region 6.

The Colts, a strong favorite to challenge for the 4A state title this year, are indeed on a roll.

Led by Havili and Cate, Cottonwood has rebounded well from a season-opening disaster at Brighton. Since that loss, the Colts have squashed opponents and are the best 4A football team in the state in regards to point spreads. By outscoring foes by more than 24 points per game, the Colts are running away with wins.

And Havili is enjoying every moment of it.

With his considerable talent in mind, Cottonwood coach Tom Jones has used Havili as a kick returner and a receiver. He's scored touchdowns as both.

"Stanley is so good at adjusting his style," Jones said. "He's got the ability to make cuts, make big plays, and that's kind of fun to see as a coach."

Jones and Cottonwood fans might be having fun watching Havili, but Havili is having a blast.

On his play of realization described above, Havili was running a simple crossing pattern. Lined up in the slot back position, Havili cut underneath the battle on the line and found himself alone in the middle of the field. Cate's pass was on the mark, and Havili's eyes lit up when he realized there was no one there to tackle him.

"That's what you always want as a running back," he said. "It was just nothing between me and the end zone."

To be honest, Havili had to take advantage of a pair of key blocks from Donovan Malmrose before finding the end zone. But there's also the chance Havili might have been able to power his way into the end zone by himself — as he did on a punishing touchdown in the second quarter against Cyprus.

"When you get out into the open like that, you just want to run somebody over," he said. "If I just run around the guy, I'd score pretty easy. But I thought I'd give the crowd a little to cheer about."