Mack Richards has developed into a big play threat for Alta, and commands the attention of the opposing defense.
File photo by Dave Argyle
It felt like a nightmare scenario for
Mack Richards.
Alta (Sandy) was trying to rally from an early deficit against Lone Peak. Richards had a chance to finally put the Hawks on the board with a clear path to the end zone. The only problem — he dropped what felt like a certain TD pass.
Richards wanted to erase the sting of that drop as quickly as possible.
"I was just hoping that drop didn't cost us the game," Richards said. "I told Chipper (Lucero) to just keep throwing it to me. I'll redeem myself. I'll make it up somehow. Just keep giving me the ball. I was lucky enough to have him keep looking at me and hit me often."
It didn't take long for Richards to redeem himself. He turned a pass on the same route in the second quarter into a 54-yard touchdown. It put Alta on the board and swung momentum toward the Hawks in a 35-17 victory over the Knights.
Richards demonstrated why he is so valuable to Alta's offense in the comeback win. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior receiver had a career-high 256 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 14 receptions.
Mack Richards, Alta
File photo by Dave Argyle
"I was just lucky enough to have Chipper hit me early and often," Richards said. "They were calling good plays and putting me in good position to make plays for myself. You know, it's weird. I've never felt that on-fire before in a game. But I just did my job and trusted my instincts and my techniques."
Anyone who watched Richards a season ago could see such games in his future. He emerged as a true receiving threat in 2012 when he accumulated 887 yards and 11 touchdowns on 60 receptions. He has built on that foundation quite well this fall.
Richards already has tallied 529 yards and six touchdowns on 26 receptions as the no. 1 target of Alta quarterback
Chipper Lucero.
"He's a threat," Alta coach Bob Stephens said. "He's got great speed, runs good routes, catches everything. He's just a fierce competitor. He's a guy who's going to make defenses have to game plan around him a little bit."
His status as Alta's top returning receiver was not a burden for Richards. It proved to be a motivator. He worked with Lucero throughout the offseason to master his timing on passing routes. Those hours spent catching footballs over the summer months have added up.
Richards said Lucero has developed a sixth sense concerning how a play will unfold, where Richards will be when he throws the ball and, more importantly, where the defense will be as the play develops.
Making big plays automatically elevates expectations for Richards to be a game-changer each Friday night. Richards does not want it to be any other way.
"Yeah, there's pressure," Richards said. "But I like the pressure. It helps me play better. You just keep trusting your timing and techniques and good things are going to come no matter what."
Mental toughness forms a huge part of being a receiver. Richards has it. That's one reason why Hawaii, Weber State and Southern Utah have already offered scholarships, while Utah and Utah State are showing interest.
His numbers are impressive because Richards knows how to stay mentally consistent no matter who lines up against him.
"He's able to forget and not go in the tank," Stephens said. "He wants the ball, which is good. Guys who are looking for it want to be thrown to and are confident. But he also understands there are other great receivers on our team too. So he's not selfish by any means. But gamers want to have the game in their hands too and make the plays."
As long as Richards keeps getting the ball, plenty more impressive performances appear to be in the cards for him this season.
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps.com. He is a
former prep sports reporter with the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret
News. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports.
