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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hyatt’s high ideals

Mt. Spokane counts on two-way standout

Mt. Spokane slotback and safety Roy Hyatt has speed to spare but doesn’t hesitate to run through the opposition. (Jesse Tinsley)

Roy Hyatt had a fine debut as a two-way starter for the Mt. Spokane football team a year ago.

At the least, he wants to double his production this season at slotback. Anything less will be disappointing.

That means rushing for at least 1,000 yards and reaching 2,000 in all-purpose yards. He’s also a threat to score while returning kickoffs and punts.

His personal goals, though, take a back seat to his goals for his team. He said Mt. Spokane should make a deep run into the State 3A playoffs, similar to Shadle Park’s journey to the semifinals last year.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Hyatt has reason to have high hopes. His freshman team went 9-0 and the sophomores were 8-1. Last year he and his classmates helped Mt. Spokane to an 8-3 year.

Had the Greater Spokane League not divided into 4A and 3A divisions this season, Hyatt said the Wildcats would have challenged for the league championship.

“I was mad that they split it up, because we could have taken the whole thing,” he said.

He finished with 502 yards rushing in seven league games last year, missing two with a slightly torn Achilles tendon and high ankle sprain. He made it back for two postseason games but wasn’t in top form.

“That was frustrating for me because I had higher goals and wanted to do more in the games, but the injuries were holding me back,” Hyatt said.

By the time track rolled around, Hyatt was ready to go. He played a big role in helping the Wildcats win their first league title.

Hyatt has been a three-year starter at strong safety and two-year starter at slotback.

The Wildcats are off to a 2-1 start. They opened with a 24-0 victory over 4A West Valley (Yakima) at the Emerald City Kickoff Classic in Seattle, followed up with a 49-7 win at 4A Eastmont and loss last week to Sandpoint 21-14.

Hyatt likes what he’s seen so far, but he’s not content.

“We’re already fairly good, but we have a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

Hyatt has made an impact on both sides of the ball, including taking an interception back for a touchdown in the opener.

It’s on defense where he probably will end up playing in college, probably at strong safety. The University of Wyoming has offered a scholarship.

First-year head coach Terry Cloer is overjoyed to have Hyatt leaving a footprint on both sides of the ball.

“We want to spread it around on offense, but he’s definitely our featured player,” Cloer said.

Playing Hyatt at slotback gives Mt. Spokane options on how to use him. Most of the options involve getting him one-on-one with a defender.

“If we can get him one-on-one, we like our chances,” Cloer said. “He has the big-play potential. That’s where he’ll get a lot of his yards. If he stays healthy, he could have a combination of 1,400 to 1,500 yards rushing and receiving.”

Hyatt runs with the mentality of a linebacker.

“Against Eastmont, he made a run where he lowered his shoulder and knocked over three guys,” Cloer said. “You get that mentality and mix it with his athleticism and it’s the perfect combination.”

Hyatt was gifted with all the athletic genes among his siblings. His older brother and sister weren’t athletes. His sister was a valedictorian.

His father, who grew up in Hamilton, Montana, was a nose guard/center in high school.

“I ended up with all the speed,” Hyatt said.

The top 3A seed to postseason and the league title will come down to a showdown with Shadle the last week of the regular season.

Shadle defeated Mt. Spokane 63-42 in a track meet during league last year and topped the Wildcats in a playoff game 27-7.

He’s not trying to take anything away from Shadle, but neither loss sat well with Hyatt, especially the playoff game.

“We flat out didn’t play well in the second game,” Hyatt said. “We just didn’t come as mentally prepared as we should. We couldn’t walk away and say we gave our best effort. We’re definitely going to change that this year.”