Alta (Sandy, Utah) 45, Crenshaw (Los Angeles, Calif.) 14
As Atla's coaching staff was praising their team for a resounding victory, assistant Scott Ditty grabbed everyone's attention. And we mean everyone.
"We sent a message to the whole country today that Utah can play ball!" Ditty yelled while turning a deep shade of red.
Indeed Hawks (2-1), coming off a disappointing loss to Utah-rival Bingham, rolled the Los Angeles City power behind the one two punch of quarterback
Tyson Blackner and running back
Bryan Engstrom in the second of four Mission Viejo Classic games.
Blackner, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior. completed 13 of 22 for 279 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, three passing. One of those went for 88 yards to Engstrom, who rushed 13 times for 76 yards and caught four passes for 138 yards. Engstrom scored two touchdowns.
"After last week's loss, this definitely helps us get back on track," Alta coach Bob Stephens said. "I couldn't be happier or more pleased with what we showed today."
Stephens, who played at nearby La Mirada High School and before snapping center snaps at BYU for Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer, is a first-year head coach who shared the same sentiment as Ditty.
"We play some good football in Utah," Stephens said. "I think we can compete with anyone in the country."
Alta more than competed right from the start, racing to a 17-0 first-lead on a field goal and two touchdowns from Engstrom, an overachieving 5-9, 170-pound senior.
He plunged over the line for a 1-yard score, before taking a short swing pass by Blackner and outracing the fleet Crenshaw secondary.
"That's a smoking fast team that hits real hard," Engstrom said.
Crenshaw showed their defensive speed, but turning a couple turnovers into touchdowns. The first was when
Darion Lewis sacked Blackner, defensive lineman
Deshawn Jolly picked it up and rambled 10 yards for a touchdown.
A 12-yard TD pass from
Jerry Mcconico to Lewis made it 17-14 just before half. But just before halftime, a 9-yard touchdown toss Blackner to 6-6
Harrison Handley put Alta back in command.
The Hawks dominated the second half against a young and inexperienced Crenshaw team.
"They kicked our butt up and down the field," Crenshaw coach Robert Garrett said. "We have no excuses."
Asked if this was a signature win for Utah, Engstrom said: "Every time you go out of state it's a chance to show what you can do. I think Crenshaw was awesome. It was an honor to play them."
Bakersfield takes it to another Utah opponent.
