RIVERTON — Alta junior quarterback Boston Handley knew he was going to get an opportunity to show what he could do on Wednesday against Riverton, and boy, he didn't disappoint.
With Alta star quarterback Jordan Brown sidelined with a separated shoulder, Alta coach Les Hamilton installed three different offensive packages — one with senior QB Chris Andrews, one with wide receiver Skyler Mayne and one with Handley — with the intention of trying to figure out which one would work best.
It didn't take long to discover the answer.
Handley was the last of the three QBs to see the field, but in this instance, last was really the best of all the game.
Alta's defense suffocated Riverton's Wing-T offense from start to finish, and going the other way, Handley threw for 341 yards and four TDs and was calm and unflappable throughout to pace Alta to a commanding 47-7 win over Riverton.
"We come in with three kids playing QB, and Boston Handley rises to the top and is an absolute stud tonight," said Hamilton. "Boston Handley controlled the game and made the throws he had to . . . I'm happy for him — it hasn't always been easy for him."
Handley showed poise to lead Alta down the field for an eventual 27-yard field goal by Vance Bingham on his first drive of the game, and while his pass was tipped and intercepted on Alta's next possession, he really got going shortly after.
The 6-foot-3 junior found Mayne for long touchdown passes on back-to-back possessions early in the second quarter to put Alta ahead 17-0, and he never looked bak.
Riverton did score on its ensuing possession via a 95-yard kickoff return by Conner Evans, but Handley threw another TD pass just before halftime and was solid throughout the second half to help the Hawks ice the big win.
"I was expecting to get a chance here, and I came out and did my best and tried to prove to the coaches that I could do it," said Handley.
That point wasn't lost on Hamilton.
"I'm pleasantly surprised at how poised he was and how few mistakes that he made," said Hamilton. "Going the rest of the year, we still have uncertainty with Jordy Brown as to when he'll be back. Now I can say with all the confidence that I feel good having my JV guy back there."
Of course, it will also help to have one of the best defenses in the state making plays on the other side of the ball.
Against Riverton, Alta's defense was simply dominant from start to finish and wasn't scored on.
"We've never played against a Wing-T, (but) our guys tonight just flew around," said Hamilton. "Defensively, they dominated and it was a very, very nice surprise. We actually felt like we maybe would struggle a little bit early until we got the timing down."
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