High school football: Park City Miners 2020 preview

Note: Park City finished with a 13-1 overall record in 2019 and was first in Region 10 with a 7-0 record. It was RPI seed No. 1 in the 4A playoffs, and was eliminated by Sky View 35-0 in championship.

PARK CITY — In his three seasons as head coach at Park City, Josh Montzingo’s teams increased their production from four wins to nine wins to 13 wins. And while another four-win jump isn’t mathematically possible, what is possible is winning the big one.

Head coach: Josh Montzingo

Entering his fourth season at Park City, where his teams have posted a 32-18 record the past four years and a state runner-up finish last season. He’s a graduate of Edmonds Woodway High School in Washington and North Park University in Illinois.

A year ago Park City marched all the way to the 4A state championship game where it was ultimately blanked by Sky View.

The loss capped an incredible two-year run for the 2020 seniors as they reached the semifinals both seasons and finished with a combined 22-5 record.

Despite only three offensive starters returning and five defensive starters, Montzingo does not expect a drop off this season.

“The expectations are definitely high by ourselves,” said Montzingo. “The bar was set by that senior class last year as they climbed through the rank, and not just them, but the classes before as they all worked hard to put us in a position to be successful. I think this group feels the intensity and the idea that they have a standard they need to live up to.”

This year’s team features some very talented seniors led by highly-recruited lineman Coco Lukrich, in addition to a strong junior class.

Motnzingo said it may take time for everything to gel, but he believes it eventually will.

Park City ranked second in 4A scoring defense a year ago allowing only 12.9 ppg, and while this year’s team might collectively not be as fast, physically it could be better.

“I think we’re going to be a bigger team, we’ll be more physical. We just may look a little different in how our weapons are used and who will be featured,” said Montzingo.

Park City Miners at a glance

Coach Montzingo’s thoughts on how his players dealt with the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:

“I think they handled it really well. Clearly some frustration for everyone. We have multi-sport athletes a lot on our roster and those guys were already a little disappointed with missing their spring seasons, and they channeled that right into their off-field preparation as far as working out, getting weights going, running, whatever they had access to. They came back bigger, stronger and in great shape. They made the most of a situation.”

2020 Schedule

Aug. 14 — at Wasatch, 7 p.m.

Aug. 21 — JUAN DIEGO, 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 — PINE VIEW, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 — at Uintah, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 — OGDEN, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 — at Stansbury, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 — MOUNTAIN VIEW, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 — at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 — TOOELE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 — at Cedar Valley, 7 p.m.

Park City Offensive Snapshot

Offensive coordinator: Dalton Bolger

2019 offense: 36.0 ppg (4th in 4A)

2019 offensive statistics

• 3 returning starters
• Pro fly offense

Returning offensive starters

• Coco Lukrich (OL)
• Ian Morris (OL)
• Travis Hobbs (OL)

Offensive newcomers to watch

• Luke McCurdy (OL)
• Carson Tabaracci (QB)
• Max Alford (RB)
• Seth Warner (RB)
• Sam Alford (WR)
• Trond Grizzell (WR)
• Kirby Baynes (Slot)

Coach Montzingo’s keys for offensive success in 2020:

“They’re definitely going to have to learn to play with a target on their backs. ... They’re going to be marked every single week and the energy that everyone was going to bring has to be like a playoff atmosphere because knocking them off is a big deal, especially in our region. They’re going to have to learn they’re going to get everyone’s best game and their preparation has to be day in and day out, and they have to bring that same level of intensity seven days a week so they’re ready to go on a Friday night.”

Park City Defensive Snapshot

Defensive coordinator: Cody Gardner

2019 defense: 12.9 ppg (2nd in 4A)

2019 defensive statistics

• 5 returning starters
• 4-3 defense

Returning defensive starters

• Stone Combs (LB)
• Kirby Baynes (S)
• Seth Warner (CB)
• Parker Napier (DE)
• Meier Bedke (CB) — moving to safety

Defensive newcomers to watch

• Coco Lukrich (DL)

Coach Montzingo’s keys for defensive success in 2020:

“They’re going to have to realize, yes we play with speed but at the time time they’re going to have to go out there and match the physicality. We’re replacing a few key guys and those new guys are going to have to step up and be as physical as we’ve been in the past. We’re known for being super fast on defense but also super physical, and they’re going to have to match that intensity. On top of that, it’s those two or three pieces that are new, making sure they understand week in and week out how to prepare, how to get ready and what it takes to play on a Friday. The talent is there, it’s making sure they’re ready to put in a full week’s worth of work and understand the mental part of the game.”

Deseret News outlook for 2020

Last year’s seniors set a very high standard for future teams to live up to. Even though the Miners came up short in their ultimate goal, they won back-to-back region championships and advanced to the state title game both years. Coach Montzingo has all the confidence in the world this year’s team will forge its own identity and keep the ball rolling, but there’s no guarantee it will happen. A strong offensive line will help in that transition, but a big part of the success will depend on how well Carson Tabaracci adjusts to his new role as starting QB. He’s much bigger than last year’s QB and has a strong arm, but he still needs to display that winning mentality.

Felt’s Facts for Park City

• All-time record: 438-447-23 (112 years)

• Region championships: 25 (1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1941, 1945, 1961, 1969 co, 1980, 1981, 1982 co, 1983 co, 1987, 1988, 1991 co, 2001 co, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019)

• Playoff appearances: 44
• All-time playoff record: 33-44

• State championships: 0

• State championship record: 0-6

• Most played rivalry: 92 meetings with North Summit dating back to 1926. North Summit leads 47-42-3.

Last 5 Seasons

• 2019 — 13-1 (7-0 in Region 10 – 4A Runner-up)
• 2018 — 9-4 (4-1 in Region 11– 4A Semifinals)
• 2017 — 4-7 (2-3 in Region 11 – 4A First round)
• 2016 — 6-6 (3-4 in 3AA North – 3A Quarterfinals)
• 2015 — 5-6 (2-4 in 3AA North – 3A First round)

Park City coaching history


• 2016-current — Josh Montzingo (32-18)
• 2013-2015 — Mike Shepherd (10-22)

• 2010-2012 — Kai Smalley (10-21)

• 2005-2009 — Brandon Matich (39-18)

• 1998-2004 — Mike Shepherd (53-28)

• 1995-1997 — Paul Tomasiewisz (6-22)

• 1994 — Gary Anderson (3-7)

• 1993 — Randy Schreiter (0-8)

• 1978-1992 — Robert Burns (101-53)

• 1977 — Rich Groth (1-7)

• 1976 — Steve Leatham (0-8)

• 1972-1975 — Unknown (8-30)

• 1971 — Wayne Carlson (3-2-4)

• 1968-1970 — Unknown (12-14-1)

• 1967 — Ed Severance (3-5)

• 1966 — Elliott Jordan (4-4)

• 1962-1965 — Gary Knudsen (6-25-1)

• 1958-1961 — Jack Woodbury (11-17-1)

• 1957 — Bill Bell (1-5)

• 1956 — Dave Germann (0-6-1)

• 1953-1955 — Jack Adamson (4-18-1)

• 1951-1952 — Ralph Peterson (4-11)

• 1946 -1950 — Unknown (21-15-4)

• 1945 — Mark Reeves (6-3-1)

• 1943-1944 — Unknown (9-6)

• 1937-1942 — Max Warner (27-14-1)

• 1935 -1936 — Pete Carltson (9-2)

• 1934 — Grey M. Lusty (4-1-2)

• 1933 — Robert Bailey (5-1)

• 1932 — Bob Birbeck (5-0-1)

• 1925-1931 — Unknown (15-22-4)

• 1924 — Floyd Romney (3-2)

• 1901-1923 — Unknown (23-28-2)


Deseret News All-State Archives

Check out our archives of Deseret News all-state teams from 1929 to 2019 at Deseret.com.

Park City All-State at-a-glance

Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years


• 2019 — Dylan Bauer, TB
• 2019 — Mark McCurdy, WR
• 2019 — Coco Lukrich, OG
• 2019 — Carver Rodman, DT
• 2019 — Chase Johansen, MLB
• 2019 — Brady Baumann, OLB
• 2018 — Mark McCurdy, WR
• 2018 — Chase Johansen, LB
• 2016 — Collin Zur, WR
• 2016 — Tyler Shea, TE
• 2014 — Ian Moritz, DB
• 2011 — Jono Schettler, WR

• 2010 — Paul Flake, QB

• 2010 — Jake Adams, DL

• 2010 — Jono Schettler, WR