Credit due — Alta back produced undeniable results

Four months ago, Sausan Shakerin was like most juniors at Alta High School — anonymous. Even he didn't think of himself as anything special. He was simply No. 22 on the football team.

Boy, how things changed over the course of 14 Friday nights. One week after another, Shakerin started developing a reputation that was increasing exponentially.

"Did you see Shak last night?"

"Did you see that run he made?"

"Can you believe he's only a junior?"

On Aug. 18, Shakerin was just another football player. By Nov. 17, he was the most talked-about player in the state, and the obvious choice for the 2006 Deseret Morning News Mr. Football award.

Even though Alta narrowly lost to Bingham in the 5A championship game on Nov. 17, Shakerin put on a show that neither the KJZZ television audience nor the approximately 15,000 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium will soon forget.

Facing one of the most dominating defenses in state history, Shakerin carried the ball 29 times for 276 yards and three touchdowns. It was the second greatest championship-game performance in state history, but Shakerin will never remember it that way.

"Right now it's just really hard to talk," said an emotional Shakerin after the game. "It's just pain right now."

Asked to talk more about himself mere minutes after the toughest loss of his young career, Shakerin deflected praise to his teammates and further typified the type of humble player and person he really is.

"I felt I did really well, but it's all my line," he said. "You can see they're opening holes for me. My receivers are getting the stock blocks. I know I get the credit, but I give all my credit to my offensive line."

On the 10th anniversary of the Mr. Football award, it's hard to imagine a more humble, yet deserving, recipient.

Shakerin finished the season with 247 carries for 2,267 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns. His total yardage ranked as the fourth-greatest season in state history.

"If he stays healthy, he may become one of the best-ever athletes to come out of the state of Utah," Alta coach Les Hamilton said. "That excites him and makes him want to work harder."

Some big-time collegiate programs are taking notice. Florida, Oregon, Cal, Arizona State, Utah and BYU are some of the major players who've emerged in the Shakerin sweepstakes. What's not to like about an upright, powerful yet fast runner who's very tough to tackle?