High school football: Experienced line will give Alta Hawks a big boost

Note: Alta went 10-3 (5-1 in Region 4, tied for first place) and advanced to the semifinals where it lost to Bingham.

SANDY — From Dallin Cutler and Sausan Shakerin, Ryan Rosenvall and Parker Walbeck to Ammon Olsen and Parker Webster, Jordan Brown and Zach Liston, Alta has always had skill position players making headlines.

But what about the players that don't get the headlines?

Without the big guys up front providing protection and holes, those guys never make the pass, run or catch that has helped lead the Hawks to five consecutive semifinal berths. The offensive line may be unheralded, but they are just as important, if not more, than the guys getting their names in the paper every week. With four players on the offensive line returning, the strength of this year's Alta team just may be in the players that don't normally get the glory.

"Our offensive line has the potential to be one of the best in school history," said coach Les Hamilton. "They have the size, skill and experience to dominate. Of course, all that doesn't really mean anything. It doesn't mean anything except how they perform on the field. We will make that determination at the end of the year. It is all about results."

Tackles Austin Albrecht and Eric Chandler, guard Will Williams, who would have been a starter last year but tore his ACL in camp, and center Alex Lucero will anchor the offense and get it all started up front.

"We know that we may not get the credit, but that if we don't do our jobs, nothing is going to work," said Williams. "If we do our job, and the offense is clicking, scoring a lot of points, we know deep down who is responsible."

The big guys up front this year will be responsible for protecting quarterback Boston Handley and opening holes for running back Taylor Eyring. The later is especially vital for the team to have success this season.

"The ability to run the football is a huge advantage. If those guys up front can allow us to run, it just gives us that much more," said Hamilton. "With today's spread offenses, it is throw, throw, throw, so if you can run, it makes it that much harder to defend."

Balance is a big focus for the Alta offense this season.

"I love doing both," said Chandler of both run and pass blocking. "It is a great feeling to explode off the line and hit someone for a run, or it is great when you drop a step or two and then the guy comes at you and you totally stand him up, not let him move and dominate him."