From Deseret News archives:
5A high school football playoffs: Shoddy first half not enough to stop Alta from reaching semis
But for Alta quarterback Ammon Olsen, who had a disastrous first half in his team's 5A quarterfinal matchup with Davis on Friday, halftime gave him a chance to calm down during a talk with coach Les Hamilton, analyze what had gone wrong, and enjoy a fresh start as soon as the whistle blew to start the third quarter.
The break was just what Olsen needed, as he ultimately led the Hawks to a thrilling 21-20 win over the Darts, and a fourth consecutive berth in the 5A semifinals. The Hawks advance to play upstart Syracuse on the Rice-Eccles Stadium turf on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
Alta trailed 20-7 at halftime, and Olsen accepted much of the responsibility for the deficit. He threw three interceptions in the first half, and lost a fumble on what appeared to be a broken play. His halftime numbers were ugly: 5-of-8 passing for 57 yards and four turnovers. It wasn't the type of performance you'd expect to see from one of the state's top quarterbacks.
"The first half I made a lot of mistakes," Olsen said. "I don't know what my deal was. I was out of it the first half. Their defense was quick. They were just mental mistakes on my part."
But enough was enough. Olsen directed an eight-play, 77-yard drive and finished it off with a 4-yard touchdown run on Alta's third possession of the third quarter.
"Ammon's a great kid," Hamilton said. "He's good enough to be able to sweep things under the rug and come out and have a great second half, which he did. He was fantastic."
The next time the Hawks got the ball, Olsen directed a nine-play, go-ahead scoring drive. He finished it off with a gutsy 4-yard touchdown strike to tight end Drake Eckholdt on a fourth-and-1 play. The touchdown and extra point by Vance "Moose" Bingham gave the Hawks a 21-20 lead.
Olsen combined with running back Alex Rivas to put the game away on Alta's final drive. The Hawks didn't give the ball back after getting it with 5:40 left. They ran 14 plays, with Olsen and Rivas keeping it on the ground for the majority of them. Webster also made a catch to convert a first down, and he picked up a first down on a 6-yard rush on a run-option punt play.
Olsen completed 13-of-19 passes for 228 yards. Rivas ran for 70 yards on 11 carries. Chase Herbert was Olsen's top target, as he caught six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Recent comments
Hey TBLF, I don't like Layton High too much but I think they are...
region1fan | Nov. 13, 2008 at 8:09 a.m.
i also agree with all the comments about the star lineman going both...
Agreed | Nov. 11, 2008 at 9:42 p.m.
2 more days, then we play
Alta | Nov. 11, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.
- CSU spoils BYU's senior night 10:39 p.m.
- Chief justice speaks on learning 10:27 p.m.
- Run/walk on Thanksgiving 10:27 p.m.
- Photo: Cowboys take on cops 10:22 p.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 10:19 p.m.
- Coach of the Year curse? 10:17 p.m.
- Photos: Winter wonderland 10:15 p.m.
- Weather, stumble play factor 10:12 p.m.
- NBA this week 10:09 p.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 10:08 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- Born of water and the spirit
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
357 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - BYU happy to escape with victory
186 - Senators want food tax restored
165 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106
good luck cougs against the falcons! after watching a now 0-10 team almost...
Before you make a comment like that man, why don't you go do some research,...
It's sad when a truly Great One is taken. I'm sure he'll be a Great One on...
Collie is amazing. Alex Smith was amazing. I hated him when he was at the...
Glad we got in our Fiesta and Sugar Bowl trophies when we did. TCU will be...
DAVIS WAS LUCKY #4 WASNT PLAYING.. CUZ THEN HE WOULDVE POUNDED DAVIS LIKE HE...
"By the time you play BYU you will be lucky to be back in the Top 25!" Do...
Okay let's get this straight. If Utah wins a game they were outplayed in...
Tell me why Sky View and Mountain Crest got snubbed from the first team and...
We made it to the final!!! The first major league title for the state of...
