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SALT LAKE CITY — The Bingham Miners are once again the 5A champs after defeating American Fork 20-3 Friday night.
“It doesn’t get old,” Bingham head coach Dave Peck said. “I’m just really proud of our kids. I hope everybody took notice how much respect each program had for each other. There were times guys were getting lit up and they’re helping each other up on both sides of the ball. I hope the way that we play the game has spread throughout the state. You can do it with class, you can do it the right way.”
The back-to-back champions were lead by running back Cameron Smith who rushed for 192 and two touchdowns on 37 carries. American Fork had few answers for Smith who was able to average 5.2 yards per carry.
“I really give it up to our offensive linemen,” Smith said. “They had a great game and holes were there the whole game.”
Smith got his first touchdown in the second quarter on a 15-yard run, giving the Miners a 10-0 lead before half. Smith added a second touchdown in the third quarter on a 6-yard run to give Bingham a 17-0 lead.
“It just came down to who wanted it more,” Smith said. “I just had to put my head down and try to get into that end zone.”
American Fork kept the game close for much of the first half before Nate Heaps fumbled the ball on the goal line in an effort to score a touchdown. The fumbled ball rolled out of the end zone, resulting in touchback and loss of momentum.
It just came down to who wanted it more. I just had to put my head down and try to get into that end zone.
–Cameron Smith
“That was huge because if they scored there they would have gone into (halftime) with momentum,” Peck said. “We came up and made a play and that’s football.”
With backup quarterback Ben Boelter leading the charge, Bingham controlled the tempo of the game all night as the offense methodically and patiently scored 20 points.
“I’ve always said that you’ve got to have a great quarterback to win a state championship,” Peck said. “We were worried when Kyle (Gearig) went down, he’s a great athlete and can go and make plays. “But Ben Boelter stepped into a tough situation and did a phenomenal job. He didn’t do anything to hurt us. He made some big plays throwing the ball. I’m really proud of Ben.
“I feel really bad for Kyle, but what a great opportunity for Ben — he’s a senior, never missed a practice, been to all the workouts and it’s great for him,” Peck added.
Bingham’s defense nearly shutout American Fork’s offense all game, holding their offense to 301 yards and only a field goal late in the game.
“I’m so proud of our defense,” Peck said. “Going into this game we felt like we could play a great defensive game. They’re just great guys and I love them.”
American Fork had several opportunities to score but was forced to settle on a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter for their only score of the night. Despite throwing for 223 yards, American Fork quarterback Tanner Smith threw an interception deep in Bingham territory in the fourth quarter to essentially end American Fork’s chance at a comeback.
