This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sometimes football can be more simple than it seems. The fundamental acts of a team making form-perfect tackles and being physically strong on the lines are a big part of that.
Alta's high-flying offense learned that Friday in its 42-14 loss to Springville in the Class 4A semifinals.
The Hawks averaged a state-high 51 points in their first 12 games behind running back Josh Davis, who put up some of the best numbers in Utah football history this year.
But they were shut out in the first half and held to 84 rushing yards.
Alta coach Alema Te'o and offensive coordinator Riley Jensen minced few words about what happened as both offered high praise to the Red Devils.
"The interesting thing about them is that when Josh Davis gets to the second level, he normally breaks one for a touchdown," Jensen said. "They had really sure tacklers. I haven't seen defensive backs tackle like that all year against us."
Te'o, who has turned the once-struggling Alta program back to its glory days, offered similar sentiments in a tearful post-game interview.
"They did a great job up front," he said. "They are a well-coached team. They are not 13-0 for nothing. The best team won tonight. … They weren't complicated. They run between the tackles and they run hard. They were much better than we were up front. I was surprised that we couldn't move the ball early and they moved the ball so easy."
Davis, Alta's superlative running back, said he felt as though the Red Devils played harder, especially in the first half.
"We didn't show up like we should have," he said. "It was little different trying to put points on the board. In the second half, we came out like we should have."
Quarterback Will Dana said Springville prepared well and seemed to know what Alta was going to do. He said the Hawks were behind against Timpview and Dixie and came back, and were hopeful they could rally again.
"At halftime, we thought we could do it, but hats off to Springville," Dana said.
Te'o, classy in defeat, summed up the feeling of a program is getting better.
"We are going to go home and lick our wounds," he said. "But we will be back."
Twitter: @tribtomwharton —
Storylines
• After averaging 51 ppg through its first 12 games, Alta is held scoreless at halftime by Springville and finishes with 14 total.
• Star running back Josh Davis, who finished the year with the second-best single-season rushing total in state history, winds up with just 94 rushing yards.
• Alta coach Alema Te'o says the simple difference was the Devils "were much better than we were up front."