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Sandy » Ryan Lee took the field Saturday night for the Class 5A/4A All-Star Game at Alta High School, knowing that it could be the last game of his football career.
The Alta High cornerback didn't have the individual accolades nor fanfare that surrounded some of his teammates and opposing players. No college program eagerly anticipates his arrival later this summer.
Lee simply had the desire to strap on those pads one more time and help lead his team to victory in a game that he wasn't supposed to play.
That desire proved to be more than enough for the 5A All-Stars.
Lee returned an interception 45 yards for the game's only touchdown on the first series and
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For Lee, a starter during Alta's 13-1 season and run to the 2008 5A state championship, it was a storybook ending to his final high school game.
"It feels good just to be with the guys," said Lee, who was added to the 5A roster Thursday after a few other players couldn't attend. "We had fun and ended up winning."
The performance underscored any thoughts that the 6-foot-0, 165-pound Lee has the skills to play in college. Lee, who will enroll at Utah Valley University in the fall, said that he might resume his career after completing a two-year LDS Church mission, but for now, he "thinks that this might be it."
Alta High defensive coordinator Ron Halbert said that Lee could easily play at the next level.
"They [college scouts] said that he was too short and too small, but he can play lockdown man defense," Halbert said. "He can cover anybody; I don't care who it is. I wish colleges could see this."
Saturday's game showcased a number of quality college prospects, including Alta quarterback Ammon Olsen (Southern Utah) and Cottonwood running back and 4A All-Star Isi Sofele (California). Lee, however, was the best player that night.
Lee beat his man to a pass near midfield on the opening drive and streaked untouched down the left sideline to give the 5A All-Stars a quick 7-0 lead. With Lee and Alta strong safety Zach Bigelow (one interception) patrolling the defensive backfield, the 4A squad struggled to generate a serious passing attack.
"Ryan Lee is a special player," Bigelow said. "He's always around the ball, and he just has a knack for getting there. He's a great kid, and he came up clutch with that pick. He's an amazing athlete and can do just about anything that we ask him to."
After the 5A defense stalled a last-minute comeback attempt by the 4A squad in the final minute, Olsen kneeled for the game's final snap. Lee celebrated briefly with his teammates, lined up for the traditional postgame handshake with the opponent and joined in the huddle to hear final remarks from Alta coach Les Hamilton and the rest of the staff.
He left the field as just another player, preparing to start the next chapter of his life after ending his high school career with a resounding performance.
"I love the kid, and I love his family. He works hard, and he's a great kid," Halbert said. "Ryan really stepped up tonight, and I hope he showed some people that he could play."
