I tell our kids all the time that to go win a state championship you have to be willing to take some chances and do some things. – Bingham coach Dave Peck
SALT LAKE CITY — State championships are often won by teams making big plays in the most crucial situations. Perhaps no one understands this — and then does it — better than Bingham.
The Miners made play after play Friday afternoon at Rice-Eccles Stadium to hold American Fork at bay en route to a 20-3 win and a second-straight 5A state championship.
“It never gets old,” said Bingham coach Dave Peck as his team celebrated its fourth state championship in six years. “Going into this game we felt like we could come in and play a great defensive game and they’re just great guys. I love them and couldn’t be prouder than to be the coach of Bingham High School.”
Indeed, it was the Miner defense that stood tallest throughout — throwing back almost every challenge presented by an otherwise prolific Caveman offense.
The first big moment for Bingham's defense came toward the end of the first half.
With Bingham leading 10-0 but American Fork closing in on the end zone, junior defensive back Simonte Lokotui forced a fumble near the goal line to pre-empt the Cavemen's prime scoring opportunity.
“It was a very crucial play because they were going to come up and probably get points on the board and we just dug deep,” Bingham linebacker Daniel Langi said. “Simonte Lokotui just came across the field with bad intentions and ... all we saw was the ball coming out.”
The ball bounced forward and went through the side of the end zone for a touchback. Bingham then ran out the clock to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.
“That was huge because if they score there they go in with some momentum,” Peck said. “But they didn’t get it. We come up and make a play, and that’s football.”
The next big moment for the defense came toward the end of the third quarter with Bingham holding a 17-0 lead.
American Fork grabbed a first-and-goal opportunity from the 3-yard line after quarterback Tanner Smith hit Coleson Worley for a 45-yard pass. From there, however, the Miners recorded three straight sacks to force a field goal and hold a comfortable 17-3 lead with 2:57 remaining in the third quarter.
Shortly after, Peck made a gutsy call that all but put the game on ice.
With Bingham reaching American Fork's 38 yard-line, the Caveman defense held strong to force fourth-and-8. Instead of punting the ball away and playing defense, Peck decided to run a fake.
It was executed perfectly with Cade Cloward hitting Mikey Green for a 21-yard pass.
“I tell our kids all the time that to go win a state championship you have to be willing to take some chances and do some things,” Peck said. “We have been working on that since July and … I’ll bet you we’ve run that way over a hundred times since July and not one time haven’t we completed it in practice.”
The fake culminated with a 31-yard field goal by Chayden Johnston to make it a three-score deficit for American Fork at 20-3.
Senior Chase Messervy then closed out Bingham's superlative defensive effort, and American Fork's last real scoring opportunity, with an interception with 8:11 remaining.
“We knew we’d have to ride the defense — especially early,” Peck said.
Bingham's defense proved nothing short of extraordinary throughout the season, but particularly in four playoff wins in allowing just 12 points and no touchdowns.
“We give up 12 points in four playoff games. That’s pretty amazing," Peck said. "A lot of that is just scratching and crawling and playing with effort. They’re right up there with any (defense) I’ve ever coached.”
On offense it was Bingham backup quarterback Ben Boelter, starting in place of the injured Kyle Gearig, playing steady and without costly mistakes. He finished 7 of 14 passing for 133 yards.
“Ben Boelter stepped into a tough situation and did a phenomenal job,” Peck said. “He didn’t do anything to hurt us. He made some big plays throwing the ball and I’m really proud of Ben.”
Bingham's best player offensively was perhaps running back Cameron Smith, who galloped for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries.
“Cameron Smith is a stud,” Peck said. “He’s got great ball skills (and) he’s a great kid."
Following the game, Peck was very complimentary toward American Fork and the way it battled throughout.
“I hope everybody took notice (of) how much respect each program had for each other,” Peck said. “There were tons of times when guys were getting lit up and they were helping guys up on both sides of the ball. ... You can do it with class, you can do it the right way, and American Fork played a great game today.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney