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SOUTH JORDAN — Bingham missed the 5A state semifinals for the first time since 2005. Don't expect that to happen again.

The Miners are picked to win the 5A state championship in the preseason KSL Coaches Poll.

They return nine starters and have five players who currently hold offers to play division I college football including defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei

Five games to watch

Bingham at Lone Peak Fri. Sept. 28
This game will feature the last two state champs and may decide the Region 4 champion.Alta at Jordan Fri. Sept. 14
Last year's game was a classic decided in the final minute. Expect this year's matchup to be much the same in a game that could determine the region champion.Cottonwood vs. Skyline Washington Fri. Sept. 7th
Cooper Bateman and the Colts will get a chance to show the country how good Utah high school football is. The game against Jake Heaps alma mater will be televised nationally on an ESPN channel.Fremont at Syracuse Fri. Oct. 5
These two region foes met in last year's semifinals, a classic playoff game that came down to the final play in overtime. The two will meet again in a game that may decide the title in a very tough and balanced Region 1.Alta vs. Bingham at Rice-Eccles Stadium Sat. Aug. 25 8pm
The black and blue rivalry classic rarely disappoints and with both teams stacked with talent this looks to be another classic in one of Utah's best high school football rivalries.

Bingham is closely followed by Jordan, a team that had eventual state champion Lone Peak on the ropes in last year's 5A semifinals.

The Beetdiggers return all five starters on the offensive line who will block for sensational sophomore quarterback Austin Kafentzis. As a freshman, Kafentzis passed for 3,188 yards and 23 touchdowns and also rushed for 1,377 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was named national freshman of the year by Maxpreps.com.

Defending Champion Lone Peak was chosen 3rd by the state's coaches. The Knights will miss the play of 2011 Mr. Football Chase Hansen and several key starters but they do return BYU commit Talon Shumway and several key players on defense.

Alta is ranked 4th to start the season. The Hawks return just 3 starters from a team that was upset last year by Syracuse in the first round of the playoffs.

Davis rounds out the 5A preseason poll. The Darts will miss Troy Hinds but should still be strong defensively with 5 starters returning.

5 players to watch in 5A

Cooper Bateman QB Cottonwood

The senior committed to Alabama over the summer and also competed at the Elite 11 quarterback camp. He is surrounded by plenty of talent as he tries to lead Cottonwood to a deep playoff run. Bateman is coming off a season where he passed for 2484 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Lowell Lotulelei DT Bingham

The 6-2, 300 pound younger brother of Utah DT Star Lotulelei is just as dominant at the high school level. He is being recruited by Utah, BYU, Utah State and some Pac-12 schools.

Highlights: http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruiting-football/Badger-Sports-Lowell-Lotulelei-1093886

Uaea Masina LB Brighton

The 6-4 200 pound linebacker recently committed to Utah. He plays on both sides of the ball for the Bengals rushing for 511 yards and 6 touchdowns last season and had 38 tackles, a sack and two interceptions.

Talon Shumway WR Lone Peak

Shumway may be the best athlete in the state in the 2013 class. He has been an important part of a state championship in football and two state championships in basketball for the Knights. If healthy, the BYU commit should have a big year.