High school football: Alta Hawks still flying high atop Region 4 title chase

Until someone knocks them off, the Alta Hawks are still the kings of the mountain.

For five straight years, or ever since coach Les Hamilton took over the program, Alta has won either a share or an outright region title and advanced to at least the semifinals of the 5A state playoffs. While some say this year's version may not be as loaded as in past seasons, until a team rises up and knocks them off the perch, the Hawks are still the team to beat in Region 4.

"You have to give them the credit where it is due," said Hillcrest coach Kirk Merhish. "I think that there are some really good teams in our region, but a champion is still a champion until someone beats them."

While some teams might shy away from the expectations placed on it, at Alta, they are embraced.

"We always start out the year expecting to win the region title and then get to the turf (of Rice-Eccles Stadium)," said Alta quarterback Boston Handley. "We don't want to be the team that ends the streak. If you can't get those things done here, your season is basically a failure."

At Alta, it has almost become so that simply winning isn't enough. A team is not only compared on the scoreboard against its opponent, but how good the team looks in doing it.

"We want to be known as one of the best teams this school has seen," said running back Taylor Eyring. "Here, we know that if we can be one of the best that Alta has had, then we know we will stack up against anyone in the state. We have a lot of work to do to be like some of those great Alta teams over the last few years, but I think we have the potential to be mentioned with them, as well."

While Alta claimed a piece of the Region 4 championship in the newly aligned region last year, it shared the title with Lone Peak. The coaches in the region voted Alta as the favorites once again, but the Knights were a close second and had a couple of first-place votes, as well.

"I know that Lone Peak has a lot of talented players coming back," said Pleasant Grove coach Dale Sampson. "They have a good program and proved it last year that they could play with anyone."

Lone Peak got a boost this week when quarterback Chase Hansen was ruled eligible to play for the Knights, but the team had plenty of capable players already.

"I think we can win the region alone this year," said lineman Keyan Norman. "We shared it last year, but we want it all to ourselves this time."