SOUTH JORDAN — It was gut-check time.
When Alta faces Bingham in high school football, it is almost guaranteed to be an instant classic. But after a dominating first half by the Hawks, the much-anticipated showdown was in jeopardy of becoming a laugher. That was when Bingham dug deep and found its intestinal fortitude.
"We told each other to relax and that we were better than that," said offensive guard Tuni Kanuch of the halftime speech. "We knew that we were playing a good team, but that we had it in us to come back and play a better half than what we had just shown. We looked inside and said, 'Let's go do this.'"
The Miners responded by reeling off 24 consecutive points and dominating every aspect of the game for the final two quarters and No. 2-ranked Bingham upset top-ranked Alta, 38-34.
"I know that every time we get together it seems like it is close like this. But I think that may have been the greatest game all-time between us," said Miners coach Dave Peck.
Alta was up 28-14 after two quarters thanks to some big plays in the passing game. Quarterback Jordan Brown kept finding his speedy receivers in some open space and had 279 yards passing at the break.
Tyron Morris caught a 76-yard score. Skyler Mayne had plenty of catches, and Zach Liston was the on the end of several passes, including an 18-yard touchdown. When Austin Lee added a 40-yard interception return for a score, it appeared the Hawks were going to blow it open.
"We realized we were going to have to go away from so much man coverage," said Peck of some adjustments made at the half. "We like to pressure the quarterback and put guys up there, but we decided we better drop our safeties back into coverage and help our corners."
That adjustment made all the difference. Alta was held to only four first downs in the second half and only 111 yards passing, with most of it coming on a last-minute 61-yard scoring toss to Mayne.
Bingham went back to what it does best: pounding the football with Harvey Langi. The offensive line took over the football game and opened huge holes for its star back.
"There is nothing better than putting a guy on his back and watching Harvey run to the open field," said tackle Brandon Taukeiaho.
Harvey finished the game with 189 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown — he also had 116 yards receiving, including a first-half 76-yard touchdown grab. With the Alta defense forced to focus so much of its attention on Langi, tight end Chris Copier slipped free down the middle for touchdown grabs.
"I thought the difference was our O-line," said Peck. "The guys up front just took over the game."
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