The high school football season began on a limited scale Thursday night but not the way it was supposed to. A pair of upsets highlighted the opening night action.
Alta, the preseason No. 1 team in the Deseret News coaches poll, lost at home in a non-league game to Hillcrest by a touchdown. The other game involving two 4A teams saw upstart Hunter shock Olympus, 31-3.Elsewhere, Park City defeated Wasatch 34-7 and Richfield shutout Manti 22-0. Tonight prep action begins in full force throughout the state.
Hillcrest 14, Alta 7
In the first night game ever at Alta High, the Hawks were their own worst enemy, giving up six turnovers.
Hillcrest's Dan Going caught touchdown passes from quarterback Tyler Borg in each of the first two quarters to lead the Huskies to a 14-0 halftime lead. It was all the scoring Hillcrest would need.
Alta struggled on offense all night and could only manage one short TD drive in the second half following a Hillcrest turnover.
Hunter 31, Olympus 3
Hunter, in just its second year of existence, won its first ever game. And it wasn't even close.
The Region 3 Wolverines ran all over the Olympus defense with 325 yards rushing. Tafua Bloomfield ran for 148 yards and a touchdown, while teammate Auono Laumua added another 100 yards rushing.
Hunter quarterback Nate Savage threw touchdown passes of 53 and 23 yards to Scott Halowell. Savage also rushed for 73 yards in the victory.