SOUTH JORDAN — Kicker isn't the most coveted position on most high school football teams.
Bingham senior Justin Sorensen's abilities just might change that.
The BYU-bound senior kicked a 59-yard field goal, just a yard shy of tying a 38-year-old state record, and a 51-yard field goal in the Miners' thrilling victory over second-ranked Alta 23-20 Friday night.
"What a weapon to have a kid who can kick two 50-plus yard field goals for you," said Alta coach Les Hamilton.
Sorensen's performance came at critical times in the game, with the longest field goal tying the game at 13-13.
"I was just looking at where the win was blowing," he said. "I was just keeping my head down. You try not to think about the kick because then you're sure to miss it."
He said he doesn't think much about breaking records, just delivering for the guys he plays with everyday.
"I don't think of it as my performance," he said. "I think of it as our special teams going perfect. That was everyone from the blocks to the snap to the hold to the kick. It was perfect."
The game featured the state's top two teams in a rematch of last year's 5A state championship game. The Miners spent a lot of time watching last year's film, hoping to contain Alta running back Sausan Shakerin.
"We spent a lot of time looking at angles, reads and techniques in trying to find a way to slow Shak down," Peck said. "I thought our kids played really well."
Both teams played well in the game with very few mistakes on either side.
Alta scored first on a 36-yard field goal by Jared Fehr, a top-notch kicker as well. Sorensen answered that with a field goal just a few seconds into the second quarter and then the Miners offense scored on a 43-yard pass play to TJ Ford from quarterback Logan Cantwell. Fehr hit another field goal before halftime, making the score 10-6 Bingham. The Hawks came out at halftime and scored a touchdown on a 10-yard pass play from quarterback Ryan Rosenvall to Brady Hunt, which gave Alta the three-point advantage.
But with six minutes left in the third quarter, Sorensen hit his 59-yard field goal, tying the game. The Miners blocked a punt to get great field position at the 33-yard line, and then on the first play, Cantwell hit Sam Langhi for what looked to be a touchdown until Alta's Boo Anderson tackled Langhi right before the goal line and knocked the ball loose. The touchback gave Alta the ball on the 20-yard line, but the Hawks couldn't score on that drive.
Bingham scored in the fourth quarter when Sam Langi ran the ball eight yards into the end zone, making the score 20-13. Sorensen kicked a 51-yard field goal with 2:29 left in the game, making it 23-13. Alta's offense then marched downfield, passing the ball effectively to several receivers, with Jordan Middlesworth catching a 13-yard pass to put the Hawks within three points of the Miners with 40 seconds left in the game.
Alta attempted an onside kick, which they recovered. But Bingham got the ball when the officials ruled the Hawks touched the ball before it traveled the required distance.
"How many times are these games overbilled?" said Bingham coach Dave Peck. "This is the best early, pre-season game I've been a part of. The crowd was unbelievable. It was just a great game. My hat is off to Alta for not giving up."
As for Sorensen, Peck said, "He is amazing."
Hamilton agreed the game was a thriller.
"It hurts coming up on the losing end, but we had our chances," he said. "They outperformed us ... They gave us fits up front."
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com