High school football: Hawks dismantle Vikings in convincing fashion

SANDY — Whether it was running, passing, catching, coverage or tackling, the Alta Hawks put together a half of football that could only be described as the perfect storm.

Alta left no doubt why they are regarded as the favorites to repeat as 5A champions Friday afternoon. The Hawks raced out of the gates and dominated all aspects of the game in dismantling Viewmont for a 55-14 win in the first round of the playoffs.

The Hawks scored a touchdown in all six of its first-half possessions. The defense limited Viewmont to one big play — quarterback Ryan Workman broke free for a 74-yard touchdown run, and the defense added a score of its own on Garret Smart's 25-yard interception return.

"For sure," said hawks coach Les Hamilton if the first half was the best Alta had played all season. "Defensively we were solid except for that one big play. Offensively we just kind of rolled. It was unexpected to have things go that way, but things just kind of went our way."

In Alta's first offensive series, it marched 79 yards in five plays as Parker Hausknecht finished the drive with a 1-yard run. The next drive went 80 yards in only four plays as Parker Webster hauled in a 35-yard touchdown catch. The Olsen-to-Webster duo has been a potent combination all season, and it really stood out against the Vikings. Webster hauled in six catches for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

"It is really nice to have a receiver that can get open like that. He is someone that will go and get the ball, sometimes he saves me," said Olsen.

The strong-armed Olsen was impressive. He completed 17-of-23 passes for 296 yards and four scores. Besides the three to Webster, he had a 14-yard strike to Seth Becerra.

"He was outstanding," Hamilton said of Olsen. "He was sharp all week in practice, so were our receivers, and with the line giving him time, he just put the ball where it needed to go."

With the Alta offense clicking on all cylinders, Viewmont never really stood a chance.

"We can be amazing," said Olsen. "Our receivers can get open and when our line plays like that, good things happen. Offensively we really put it together. We scored every time we had the ball and things just seemed to open up for us."

With the win, Alta moves to the quarterfinals next week where it faces Davis.