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Is Friday's Alta-Bingham match-up over hyped? Probably. But after witnessing their last 3 contests, it's hard not to get caught up in the rivalry. These two programs have provided high school football fans in Utah with plenty of drama and produced some of the best talent the state has ever seen.
20,000 fans witnessed Sausan Shakerin rushing for 276 yards and 3 touchdowns in the 2006 5A state title game only to see a failed two point conversion in the final minute give Bingham their first state championship in 60 years. The 2007 regular season rematch saw Justin Sorensen boot field goals of 59 and 51 yards to hold off the Hawks in front of more than ten thousand fans. Then, last years Semifinal match-up didn't disappoint with Alta's defense holding off a furious Miner rally to win their first State Championship in 19 years. Several players in these three games are now playing on Saturdays, including Shak, Sorenson, Iona Pritchard and Boo Anderson, just to name a few.
Some of the luster of this week 2 match up has been lost after the Miners were upset at Skyline in Week One. No one is more embarrassed than head coach Dave Peck. He told me it was the worst game the program has played in the past 50 games.
"The last two practices are the most demanding we've ever had here, I know that! Hopefully the kids will play a little bit harder and realize that this is important", Peck said Wednesday before practice.
He can't wait to see how his team responds on Friday. A loss would not doom their season but a 0-2 start would be a tough hill to climb mentally for the Miners.
For Alta, they are coming off an impressive 42-6 victory over a talented Spanish Fork team. Quarterback Ammon Olsen passed for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first varsity start.
Head Coach Les Hamilton expects a hungry Bingham team on Friday night.
"You don't like facing a team that took a loss the week before," Hamilton said. "There going to come out ready to go. Bingham always plays their best game against Alta. We're expecting that, we're preparing for that. We're going to have to rise to the challenge and meet the intensity that they will bring Friday night.
SportsBeat Preps Game of the Week
Bingham @ Alta Friday 7pm
Other big games this weekend:
Cottonwood @ Layton
The Lancers, ranked 2nd in 5A, will host the Cottonwood Colts who are ranked 2nd in 4A. They will do so without the services of star running back LaVaughn Jackson who will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. Layton will miss Jackson but this game should still be a battle. Cottonwood lineman John Martinez is one of the best in the country and will open holes for running back Isi Sofele who is also drawing interest from division one schools. This should be a very interesting match up on Friday.
Park City @ Logan
The Miners were one play away from eliminating Logan from the playoffs in 2007. But, Logan's Duncan Olsen blocked a punt that was recovered by Jordan Ballam in the end zone with 18 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. An extra point by Josh Thompson gave the Grizzlies the last-second win. This week Park City looks for revenge but that will be difficult. Grizzlies Quarterback Jeff Manning could be the best in the state. He threw for 4 touchdowns in the season opener against Murray. Park City comes in confident after a 69-7 win over Canyon View. Dylan Chynoweth had nine rushes for 248 yards and three TDs.
Jordan @ Massillon, Ohio
The Beetdiggers are taking the trip of a lifetime this weekend. They will participate in the Kirk Herbstreit classic in Canton, Ohio. They will get a chance to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame before taking on one of the most legendary high school football programs in the country. Massillon was recently named "Title town USA" by ESPN. For more on the game follow these links:
http://www.herbstreitfootballseries.com/
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=504&sid=3671323
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3502458
