By Justin Adams | [email protected]

The Alta High football team started off its region schedule with a 64-6 win over Cottonwood last weekend.

The Hawks entered the game with a 4-1 non-region record, with wins over Lehi, Woods Cross, Farmington and Weber. Their only loss came against 6A’s East High.

On offense, Alta has leaned heavily on the ground game, particularly senior running back Dallin Pan, who is pacing all Region 7 players in rushing yards with 772. (The next highest is Jordan’s Jake Shaver with 355.)

Pan has also been a favorite target of Alta’s quarterbacks. He leads the team in both receptions and yards. Combined, he has over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Indy Hanson was effective and efficient through Alta’s first two games, but was injured against East and didn’t get back onto the field until the Cottonwood game. He threw for four touchdown passes against the Colts.

The injury bug has also bitten parts of the Alta defense. Key players like Brandon and Eric Folau, Misi Tuitahi and Dymente Faamafoe have all missed time.

“We’re slowly getting guys back,” said head coach Alema Te’o following Alta’s win over Cottonwood. “We got Indy back tonight and he did pretty good for his first time back. Eric Folau was back tonight. Dymente Faamafoe was back.”

Alta’s remaining games will be against Timpview, at Jordan, at Corner Canyon and a home match with Brighton to close out the season.

“We’re in the thick of our region right now. Our next opponents are doing a really good job. We can’t afford to take any game lightly,” said Te’o.

Asked if there is a team to beat in the Region, Te’o pointed to the Chargers.

“Corner Canyon in my opinion has the edge over everybody. They’re playing really good, really consistent.”

Ranked #2 overall in the state of Utah by Deseret News’ weekly high school football rankings, Corner Canyon has only played four games but they’ve won all four and scored at least 40 points in each.

But the Hawks aren’t too far behind as they come in at #8 in the Deseret News rankings. The game between the two schools on October 11 may very well determine the Region winner (assuming both teams take care of business).

But Alta won’t be looking ahead on the schedule or paying attention to any rankings. Coach Te’o said the team is solely focused on preparing for the next week’s opponent.