Altamont is hoping for an improved brand of football this season with many upper classmen returning to the Longhorn football team that is being coached by new coach Mick Fieldsted, who isn't really new as in the past he served as Altamont's head basketball coach and athletic director. Assistant coaches are: Cody Christensen, Mike Foy, Jim Smith and Gary Brinkerhoff. Altamont will open the season with a home game vs. South Summit, Friday at 7 p.m.

“We have 35 athletes out for football plus ten seniors and 11 juniors are back, which is the largest amount of returning players we have had in some time and our deepest team in years. Many of our athletes have played two or three years of varsity ball,” stated Coach Fieldsted. “We have good numbers out for football considering Altamont High School's enrollment is down to 110 students, 10th through 12th grade.”

Bryson Foy, a four year starter, returns at quarterback for his senior year. Other seniors back are: Waylon Thompson, tailback; Garrett Sorensen, wide receiver/safety; Russell Brinkerhoff, wide receiver/kicker; Weston Burton, center/lineman; Morgan Carroll, lineman; Dalan Knight, guard/linebacker; Kyle Kettle, cornerback/wide receiver; Jacob Lindsay, tight end/defensive end. Several key returning juniors are: Zaquri Brinkerhoff, fullback/linebacker; Shelby Thayne, guard/defensive lineman; Dalton Smith, offensive tackle/defensive end; Zack Hatch, running back/safety/linebacker; Mike Perry, guard/linebacker; Riley Goodrich, lineman/linebacker; Robert Thomas, running back/cornerback.

“We are going to focus on our ground game as we have four or five running backs with good speed. We have a good sized line and will take passes the opposing team gives us,” Coach Fieldsted stated. “We have been installing different offenses and defenses in practice plus getting in shape. Hopefully we will be ready for South Summit.”

South Summit beat Altamont in the first game of the 2008 season, 28-8 and then toppled Duchesne, 36-6; Grand, 20-0 to start the season at 3-0. However, the South Summit team ended up with a record of 5-5, which included a 47-0 win over Gunnison and 30-7 triumph over American Leadership Academy.

Just like Altamont, South Summit has many seniors and juniors returning to its squad for this season. They have Levi Thompson, Niko Klus and Denver Hansen at running back and Trevor Lewis at quarterback.

“They (South Summit) beat us at their place last year, and are ranked high in the 2-A class. South Summit will be a good test for us and to see where we are at,” stated Coach Fieldsted.

Altamont Football Games

South Summit at Altamont—Aug. 21 (7 p.m.)

Altamont at Lyman, Wyo.----Aug. 28 (4 p.m.)

Altamont at Uintah JV--------Sept. 3 (7 p.m.)

Homecoming Game, Monument

Valley at Altamont------------Sept. 18 (7 p.m.)

AHS at Rich-------------------Sept. 25 (4 p.m.)

Altamont at Monticello------Sept. 30 (7 p.m.)

Layton Christian at AHS-----Oct. 9 (7 p.m.)

Altamont at Milford-----------Oct. 16 (7 p.m.)

Duchesne at Altamont---------Oct. 23 (7 p.m.)