Olympus dropped to 2-4 on the season after a 23-10 loss at Alta on Friday, Sept. 18, in the Region 6 opener for both teams.
The defeat extends a difficult stretch for first-year Titans head coach Casey Evans. Alta snapped a four-year losing streak against Olympus and improved to 4-2.
Weather delays interrupted the game, according to KSL Sports, but the Hawks controlled the action when play resumed.
How the Hawks pulled away
Alta kicker Madden McCallister opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal. Three different Hawks scored touchdowns, including quarterback Xavier Cocci, who threw for one score and ran for another, according to the Deseret News.
The Hawks piled up 16 first-half points while holding Olympus to a single field goal before halftime. Alta's defense kept the Titans in check the rest of the way.
"I think getting the monkey off our back of beating Olympus is big. It's a huge positive," Alta head coach Blake Burdette said. "After losing two games, getting a win like this helps us with some momentum going into the game with Woods Cross."
Burdette, an Olympus High graduate now in his third year leading the Hawks, said he was pleased with all three phases and called the team's defensive play "excellent." He added that the Hawks still have room to improve as region play continues.
Tough stretch for the Titans
Evans, also an Olympus alum, was hired Jan. 20 to replace Brandon Burt, who stepped down after a 6-6 season that included a state playoff appearance. The Titans lost 34 players to graduation, including 5A All-State First Team linebacker Adam Bywater, now at BYU.
Olympus opened the year by beating Cedar Valley 49-14 but has dropped four of its last five games, including a 47-14 loss to Davis on Sept. 11.
What's next
Olympus hosts rival Brighton on Friday, Sept. 25. Brighton also lost in Week 6, falling 19-14 to Viewmont. The Titans then travel to Viewmont on Oct. 2, host Woods Cross on Oct. 8 and close the regular season at home against Bountiful on Oct. 14.
Alta faces Woods Cross next in Region 6 play.
