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ALTA HAWKS
THE HURRY-UP
Alta finished 2-9 overall, 2-3 in league play, and lost to Fremont, 35-14, in the first round in the 2014.
OFFENSE
Alta struggled to manufacture points in 2014, averaging 17.5 points per game as it spiraled into one of its worst seasons since its inception in 1978. Historically, especially in the past decade, the Hawks have produced skill players in masses, particularly at quarterback. As the program transitions to Class 4A, senior quarterback Braxton Kerr is leading the charge after fully recovering from a torn ACL suffered midway through last season. Kerr is limited in his downfield passing ability, but is accurate in delivering timely throws on quick slants and outs.
Kerr is not a mobile quarterback but is difficult to corral — a characteristic that will be constantly tested with the main area of concern squarely residing in the trenches.
Despite two returning starters in Sione Hafoka and Jacob Armstrong, the five up front have lacked continuity throughout the offseason, subsequently forcing first-year offensive coordinator Riley Jensen to install an array of quick screens and dump passes to compensate for minimal pass protection.
Junior slotback Josh Davis returns at Kerr's disposal after rushing for more than 500 yards as a sophomore in 2014. Davis is undersized, yet has a natural ability to elude defenders with speed and agility, but his impact will be felt most in the passing game as a reliable target out of the backfield.
"Boy, he's explosive," first-year Alta coach Alema Te'o said of Davis. "He's got great vision on the field, he can catch you on a dime, and he'll put his nose on you if he has to. The guy brings a lot to the table. I see us using him in a variety of ways."
Brayden Keim, an athletic 6-foot-7 tight end, highlights a capable but unproven receiving corps, which features the multifaceted speedster Zack Engstrom, who has demanded Jensen incorporate his talents into the offensive game plan from his successful performances throughout the offseason.
DEFENSE
Perhaps more so than quarterbacks, Alta has established its reputation as a linebacker factory, and will look to continue that tradition this season. The Hawks will operate in a 3-4 defensive scheme to take advantage of a strong linebacker unit consisting of Devin Media, Jeff Hutson, Dallon Woods and Mata Hola — the latter three all returning starters.
Alta allowed 240.6 yards per game through the air in 2014 — the worst mark in the entire classification. The secondary remains unsettled, with Zach Allsop as the lone returning starter. Tyler Hill, Drew Pan and Trai Leota-Hankin are the newcomers to the defensive backfield, but don't be surprised if Engstrom wiggles into the starting role at one of the two safety positions by season's end.
"Defensively, we're going to be fast," Te'o said. "I feel like we've got pretty good speed on that side. We're young, and I feel like we have the ability to come after people."
WHAT TO EXPECT
Te'o isn't guaranteeing a "Remember the Titans ending" this season, but he did say Alta will "come out and surprise people." The Hawks are clearly hovering on the border of postseason, with the fourth and final spot from Region 7 likely to be decided between Alta and Provo.
BIG SHOES
Zack Moreton is gone along with his 140 tackles from 2014. Dallon Woods inherits the expectations of elevating his production, which considering he recorded 78 tackles as a sophomore, illustrates his potential as an upper-echelon talent in the 4A classification.
PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH IN REGION: 4
RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: Braxton Kerr (Sr.), 63-126-675-6, 4 TDs
Rushing: Josh Davis (Jr.), 91 att., 565 yds., 2 TDs
Receiving: Josh Davis, 35 rec., 465 yds., 2 TDs
Tackles: Dallon Woods (Jr.), 78
Sacks: Jeff Hutson (Sr.), 3
Interceptions: Zach Alsop (Jr.), 1
2014 RANKINGS
OFFENSE AVERAGE REGION (of 7) CLASS (of 26)
Scoring: 17.5ppg 6 22
Rushing: 102.7ypg 4 21
Passing: 170.6ypg 4 8
Total: 273.3ypg 4 18
DEFENSE
Scoring: 35.1ppg 5 23
Rushing: 147.6ypg 3 12
Passing: 240.6ypg 7 26
Total: 388.2ypg 5 21
COACHING BIO
Name: Alema Te'o
Years with school: First year
Alma mater: Leone High
PROJECTED STARTERS
OFFENSE
QB: Braxton Kerr (6-2, 215, Sr.)
RB: Josh Davis (5-10, 182, Jr.)
WR: Hayden Harrison (5-11, 175, Jr.)
WR: London Rockwood (5-9, 160, So.)
WR: Zack Engstrom (5-10, 165, So.)
TE: Brayden Keim (6-7, Sr.)
LT: Chandler Dolphin (6-4, 250, Jr.)
LG: Jacob Armstrong (6-3, 235, Sr.)
C: Sione Hafoka (5-8, 240, Jr.)
RG: Kima Malieitulua (6-1, 280, Jr.)
RT: Cecil Wilkenson (6-3, 245, Sr.)
DEFENSE
DE: Davin Leota-Hankin (6-0, 195, So.)
NG: Feni Maka (6-3, 280, Jr.)
DE: Kima Malieitulua (6-1, 280, Jr.)
LB: Jeff Hutson (6-1, 190, Jr.)
LB: Dallon Woods (6-0, 180, So.)
LB: Devin Medina (6-2, 210, So.)
LB: Mata Hola (6-3, 230, So.)
DB: Zach Allsop (5-8, 140, So.)
DB: Tyler Hill (5-11, 140, So.)
SS: Drew Pan (5-8, 130, So.)
FS: Trai Leota-Hankin (5-10, 170, Jr.)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Spencer Rasmussen (6-0, 170, Sr.)
P: Spencer Rasmussen (6-0, 170, Sr.)
KR: Zack Engstrom (5-10, 165, So.)
PR: London Rockwood (5-9, 160, So.)
2015 SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time (2014 result)
Aug. 21, Cyprus, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28, Hillcrest, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4, at Dixie, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11, at Timpview, 7 p.m. (Lost, 28-12)
Sept. 18, Orem, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25, Mountain View, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2, at Spanish Fork, 7 p.m.
Oct. 8, at Provo, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14, at Timpanogos, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22, Corner Canyon, 7 p.m.