By Rich Winter
Special To The Tribune
Published Oct 19, 2010 08:20PM
When Alta lost five of its first seven football games this season, many prognosticators counted the five-time defending Region 4 champions out of playoff contention.
If you’re looking at the glass as half full, the Hawks have won four of their last six and appear to have righted the ship just in time for postseason play.
“Early on, we were trying to find out what kind of team we were,” said running back Taylor Eyring. “Even after the losses we kept our heads up and tried to work on turnovers and mistakes.”
Linebacker Nic Wolford said salvaging the season turned into a matter of Hawk pride.
“Losing is tough and we had a lot of pressure being the Alta Hawks but we knew what we had to do to turn it around,” said Wolford. “Since entering region play, the linebackers have committed to the run and we trust our defensive backs to make plays.”
Coach Les Hamilton said mistakes were a key to the Hawks getting off to a slow start.
“Our fourth-quarter consistency just killed us in the Cottonwood and Bingham games,” said Hamilton. “Everybody was frustrated but we said let’s continue to improve and see if we can’t make some noise in the playoffs.
The Hawks made a late-season quarterback change, inserting senior Eric Emery into the lineup in the Oct. 13 win over Hillcrest, and Hamilton said Emery has the entire team’s attention.
“Eric played on the scout team for the last couple of seasons and took some hits so everyone on this team respects him,” said Hamilton. “I have all the confidence in the world that he can lead us deep into the playoffs.”
A run deep into the playoffs for the 4-5 Hawks (4-1 Region 4) may rest on the sturdy shoulders of Eyring, who leads the team with 1,111 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Eyring said this year’s Hawks story has yet to be written.
“I hope we blow people’s minds,” said Eyring. “People have been doubting us all year and we’re ready to show them Alta football.”
Alta concludes its regular season Friday when it hosts Pleasant Grove.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50500684-77/alta-hawks-season-eyring.html.csp
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