After five region championships and a state title in 2003, the Layton Lancers tradition rich boy's soccer team is finally beginning to hit their stride. Behind strong play from star Tate Baxter, the Lancers could be a contender when the Class 5A playoffs begin on May 15th. At least that's the vibe you feel from Layton coaches and players. They defeated Clearfield 3-0 last Tuesday, to essentially wrap up a spot in the Class 5A playoffs.

Head Coach Rick Talamantez said after a slow start this season, his team is finally getting it gear. "We're definitely hitting our stride the last two games. Even in the loss to Viewmont, we feel as a team, we played a great game. It could have gone either way, we should have won it, but we just didn't get a break that game." Talamantez said.

In his 14th season as head coach, Talamantez and his Lancers are used to being the hunters but this year they're the hunted. This season, the Lancers have slipped below powerful Davis and Viewmont and had rally just to make the playoffs. But now that their in, they may be one of the favorites "I know a lot of teams are looking at Layton-maybe [we're] not as strong as we used to be but this is one of the strongest teams I've had." Despite a sub.500 record and fifth place in Region One, Talamantez isn't the only one thinking the best is still to come. Senior captain, Tate Baxter has been a four year starter at Layton and the teams leading scorer.

The Center Mid-fielder sensed the team was turning things around after a midseason defeat to Brighton. Layton lost at home, in the snow, to a highly regarded Bengals team. "Even against Brighton, we played good and played physical. We just need to play hard like we have been." Baxter said. Fellow Lancer captains Branton Bauman and Mark Rigby are also strong contributors to the team, but it's the high flying Tate that really makes Layton dangerous. "He's really aggressive in the air." Talamantez said. "Once you win the air game momentum shifts-so, he brings that to the table."

Tate's older brother Todd won a title in 2003 at Layton. It was the teams' last soccer championship. However, that's not the reason Tate's feeling a little pressure this season. Layton has struggled in the playoffs in recent years. In 2007 they were ousted by Jordan in the first round and then got stung by Alta in the second round of last year's playoffs. The players call it a curse but there's an easy solution to breaking the jinx. "Just score goals." Baxter replied.