Alta High School opened its 2026 football campaign with a 38-35 victory over longtime rival Springville, avenging a narrow defeat from the previous season.
The contest, played in Sandy, Utah, got off to a gritty start when a blocked punt set up early points for the Hawks, establishing a foundation of momentum that would ebb and flow throughout the game.
Springville answered with a dominant third quarter, exploding for 28 points and exposing weaknesses in Alta’s defense that had been a focus of preseason work.
Coach Blake Burdette praised his squad’s resilience, noting that the team had worked on tightening turnover margins and that the fourth quarter would be decisive.
A pivotal interception
A 9-yard touchdown run by Lucas Pagel with just under four minutes left cut the deficit to one point, shifting the atmosphere from tension to hope.
The turning point arrived when defensive back Bronson Schriever intercepted a pass, giving Alta possession and sparking a surge that culminated in a 6-yard rushing touchdown by Treven Cooke with under three and a half minutes remaining.
The final scoreboard read 38-35, sealing a comeback that highlighted both the Hawks’ defensive improvements and the special-teams plays that had set the stage for the victory.
Looking ahead, Springville prepares to face Green Canyon, while Alta’s schedule continues with a matchup against Bingham the following week.