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Class 5A
As expected Bingham, Lone Peak, and Fremont have advanced to the 5A semifinals. All three were ranked in the top four in the final KSL Coaches' Poll. All three are region champions. While their place in the final four was predictable, Jordan is this year's surprise team. They opened the playoffs with a shocking 52-7 win over 2009 finalist Davis. Then they upset previously undefeated and 2nd ranked Cottonwood 62-38. They scored 62 points against a Colts defense that was giving up just 15 points per game and hadn't surrendered more than 22 points in a single game all season. Both wins came on the road.
Does Jordan have what it takes to pull off perhaps the greatest upset in the history of Utah high school football? Or will Fremont or Lone Peak get a shot at the Miners in the title game? Here is a preview:
Lone Peak Knights (11-1) vs. Fremont Silverwolves (10-1), Thursday, 11 a.m.
This is a battle that features two evenly matched teams. Neither school has won a state championship in football but both have come close. Thursday morning they will meet on the turf at Rice-Eccles Stadium with the hope of getting one step closer to that elusive title.
Fremont comes in with a 10 game winning streak. Their offense averages 26 points per game and is led by junior running back Nick Vigil. His 1,573 rushing yards is the 2nd most in 5A while his 15 touchdowns are tied for 3rd. Defensively they give up just 13 points per game. They have also been successful in close games. They are 4-0 this season in games decided by a touchdown or less including two overtime contests.
Lone Peak's offense also features a star junior in quarterback Chase Hansen. He is the Knights leading rusher with 956 yards and 11 touchdowns while he has completed 65 percent of his passes and tossed 13 touchdowns. Their offense also has another standout player in running back Talon Shumway who has 12 touchdowns on the ground. Defensively they have been tough all season long giving up just 14 points per game.
I expect this game to be very close. It's very difficult to pick a winner in this one. Fremont has been great in close games and has a roster full of hard working and determined athletes. But Lone Peak has greater athleticism and depth, which might be the difference in a game this evenly matched.
Prediction: Lone Peak 17 Fremont 14
Jordan Beetdiggers (9-3) vs. Bingham Miners (11-0), Thursday 2 p.m.
Are the Bingham Miners the greatest high school football team in state history? That question will have to wait another week. They certainly have an impressive resume as they enter this semifinal contest. Offensively they may have the most talented prep running back in Utah history. Harvey Langi has rushed for 3,980 yards and 54 touchdowns in his three years as a varsity starter and is one the most highly recruited players in the western United States. Their offensive line led by future BYU Cougar Kesni Tausinga has dominated opposing defenses on the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Stefan Cantwell draws comparisons to Tim Tebow with the ability to make plays with his arm and legs. He's thrown 23 touchdown passes and just 3 interceptions. Cantwell has a talented and experienced receiving corps to throw the ball to led by Brady Measom and Josh Smith. The offense averages 50.6 points per game and is within striking distance of the state scoring record. All that said and the offense may not be the strength of the team.
The defense gives up just 8.45 points per game and they have shutout four of their opponents this season. Eight defensive starters have division I scholarship offers. No team has come within 23 points of the Miners and their average margin of victory this season is 42 points. They are very deserving of their national ranking.
With all that said, the Miners will be facing their toughest test of the season and that star-studded defense will have their hands full with the Jordan Beetdiggers.
Jordan can score points and score them quickly. Senior Quarterback McCoy Hill leads their high-octane spread offense. He is the top passer in 5A amassing 2,941 yards and 28 touchdowns while throwing just 6 interceptions. He is also the Beetdiggers leading rusher. In fact, his 1,030 yards on the ground is 6th best in 5A while his 17 rushing touchdowns is tied for best in 5A. His top target is Taylor Loomis who has 847 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Davis and Cottonwood were two of the best defensive teams in the state and Hill and the Jordan offense embarrassed them.
Bingham hasn't seen an offense with this much firepower all season. It's likely to give them fits but the Miners just have too much talent to lose this game. I expect a lot of scoring and a closer than expected final score but Bingham will advance.
Prediction: Bingham 56 Jordan 49
