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Show 1 . ' f ! C ' if"'- J I ' ' ' " Sean Salmon hits both the books and running backs hard. Excelk On And Off Tike Field Dave Wlgham Clipper Sports BOUNTIFUL -- To look at Viewmont's Sean Salmon one would automatically think of him as a scholar. The thought of this 5' 10" 170 pound senior playing strong outside linebacker probably wouldn't cross your mind. IN. THAT case you would be half right. Fact is Sean is both a very good student as well as a very good linebacker for the Vikings. He placed himself in the category of a good student, he has a 3.8 gpa, with thoughts of going into the law profession. During school hours you can find Mr. Salmon in classes such as A. P. English and A. P. biology but come after hours and on Friday night you'll find him in jersey number 35 for the Vikings. HE STOOD out more than ever a couple of weeks ago in the Vikes 20-0 win over rival Bountiful. He just happened to be in the right place and the right time for the Vikings, and the wrong place if you happen to be a Bountiful fan. After he helped the Viking defense hold the Braves on the first three plays of the game Sean w as already to backpeddle and block on a punt return. "1 saw that the kicker kicked the ball straight up so I figured why go back if the ball wasn't coming. The ball came right down near the kicker, the wind held it up I guess, and then bounced on the five yard line and into the end zone. The punter just kind of stood there so I pushed him aside and dove on the ball. I thought it was a safety or something like that, but soon everyone was jumping on me saying we had a touchdow n," he smiled. SEAN wasn't done for the night though, along with being credited with numerous tackles tack-les he happened to get in the right place once again. "I remember the quarterback going back to puss so I rushed to my zone to pick up cither the tight end or a back coming out for a pass. The passer started to roll out a little so 1 came up to contain him if he tried to run outside, out-side, then he threw the ball right to me. I had stepped right in front of the receiver. They tackled me right away so I couldn't return it for any yards" he laughed. Getting into his zone on passing plays is one . reason Sean feels he is a starter for the Vikes, "I can get there pretty quick. Plus I'm stronger than most guys and that helps in making the tackles." This past summer Sean was able to bench press 275 pounds. SEAN WAS born and raised in this area and began his little league career at the age of nine. Along the way he missed a couple of years in the program, "I don't remember why other than I just didn't register for it." By the time he played ninth grade ball for Bountiful Junior he was a fullback and linebacker. He played both these spots on the sophomore sopho-more team at Viewmont while working out with the varsity. "I remember that year very well. For the most part I was on the hamburger offense squad, the one that runs the opponents offense against your first team defense. I was always getting killed in practice but it helped me learn how to be a better hitter." He did get to play in the Highland and Cyprus games that season. AS A JUNIOR he played both backup fullback full-back and weak side linebacker on the junior varsity level and on the specialty teams as a varsity player. "Seemed like when they wanted to rest Scott Hubbard they sent me in" he admitted. This year though Sean is just a linebacker, no offense to speak of and that's just fine with him. "I get more psyched about defense because be-cause I get to hit rather than be hit. I was really sick and tired of getting hit as a fullback that I was happy to get to hit someone else" he joked. "It also helps to concentrate on defense more, while on the sidelines I can think about what I have to do the next time the defense takes the field." WHEN NOT involved in studies or football Sean is one of those guys that loves to go hunting with his father. "I'll hunt anything that moves" he smiled "I've only been deer hunting hunt-ing twice and haven't got one yet but this year i is the year." This just may be the year for the Vikings to get back into the state picture and Sean Salmon is playing a major role in their success. I |