Sandy, UT
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 60%
Wind: S at 6 mph
Latest Video
Varsity Roster
| 1 | Zach Liston | WR |
| 2 | Tyler Brady | WR |
| 3 | Bryan Finnerty | RB |
| 4 | Skyler Mayne | WR |
| 5 | Cole Herrmann | DB |
| 6 | Austin Lee | DB |
| 7 | Zach Sylvester | DB |
| 8 | Boston Handley | QB |
| 9 | Josh Tracy | DB |
| 10 | Tyron Morris | WR |
| View Full Roster | ||
| Upstart Syracuse Looking to Upset Defending Champs Alta | | Print | |
|
SYRACUSE (10-2) vs. ALTA (11-0) This year's 5A Final Four features tradition-rich powers in Alta, Bingham, Skyline and ...
Syracuse? Wait, who's Syracuse? That's the question many casual high school football fans have been asking themselves since the second-year Titans earned a spot in the annual Rice-Eccles Stadium party. It seemingly took all season for Syracuse to earn statewide respect. But a second-place finish in Region 1, and two playoff victories have left no doubt about whether the Titans are the real deal. Syracuse earned a spot on the turf, and plays reigning 5A champion Alta in the 5A semifinals on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. "We're kind of like the misfits in this final four," Syracuse linebacker K.J. Medina said. "These are the usual contenders in Skyline, Bingham and Alta and we're up here with them. It just goes to show you that anybody can win at any time. And it just goes to show you that hard work can take you places where you want to go." The Titans, who have improved from an 0-10 season in 2007, have been one of the feel-good stories of the 2008 season. But don't get all warm and fuzzy around them because they have a defense that will hit you in the mouth. Syracuse allowed just 9.9 points per game this season while defeating traditional powers such as Northridge and Davis. "First of all, we're not talking about a Cinderella team here," Alta coach Les Hamilton said. "Cinderella is usually a team that overachieves and I don't think that's what they are." Syracuse got here by beating Pleasant Grove 27-25 on an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braden Hamblin to tight end Rick Reardon with 1.2 seconds left in their 5A quarterfinal matchup last week. The Vikings were ranked for most of the season, and the Titans' heart-stopping victory finally proved that they belong among the state's elite. "They are a very, very good football team," Hamilton said. "They're solid defensively. Against PG they went up and down the field on one of the best defensive teams in the state. They're not a fluke. They deserve to be where they're at." Facing the champion Hawks, however, will be a whole new ball game for the Titans. Alta has yet to lose to an in-state team this season. The Hawks have blown teams out, winning two games by 45 points apiece and shutting out four opponents. They've also proven to be a team that can never be counted out, as they rallied from deficits to defeat Bingham, Jordan and Davis. "They have great athletes and a great coach and it's got them this far," Medina said. "We've been trying all year to show we're for real. For us to prove ourselves, we have to play the best and see how we measure up to them. I think we've proved to ourselves what we can do and what we're capable of. Now we have to do it against one of the best teams in the state." SYRACUSE STATS Scoring offense: 20.9 ppg ALTA STATS Scoring offense: 36.1 ppg A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY This is the first meeting between these two schools ... Alta is the defending 5A state champion and ranked No. 1 heading into the semifinals. The Hawks' only loss this year was on the road at Grant, Calif., but it narrowly squeaked past Davis in the quarterfinals ... Syracuse has been the Cinderella story of the 2008 season after posting an 0-10 record in the school's first year last year ... The Titans finished tied for second in Region 1 and beat Kearns and Pleasant Grove to advance to the semifinals. SYRACUSE GAME-BY-GAME 08/22 ... Syracuse 31, Roy 6 ... ALTA GAME-BY-GAME 08/22 ... Alta 42, Spanish Fork 6 ... COACHING REPORT Syracuse coach Russ Jones — After an 0-10 year in Syracuse's first year, Jones has the Titans in the semifinals. His career coaching record is 35-39 in seven seasons. Alta coach Les Hamilton — In his four years at Alta, Hamilton has amassed a 45-9 record with four-straight semifinal appearances. His overall record is 58-20 in six seasons. SYRACUSE TITANS DEPTH CHART OFFENSE ALTA HAWKS DEPTH CHART OFFENSE E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
© 2008 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
- |
31°
-1°
Fri
38 |
54
3 |
12
Sat
37 |
47
2 |
8
Sun
36 |
48
2 |
8
Mon
37 |
54
2 |
12
Alta Hawks on Facebook
Most Popular
Like it? Share it!
Alta Hawks
11055 S. 1000 E.
Sandy UT 84094
Phone: 801-256-5000
Athletic Director: Morgan Brown
Principal: Mont Widerberg
Head Coach: Les Hamilton Website
© 2010 Alta High School All rights reserved.