5A football preview: Fremont at Bingham

Fremont (7-4, 3-4) at Bingham (9-1, 5-0)

5A State Tournament first round

Saturday, 3 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Bingham by 17

All-time series: Bingham leads 4-3.

Last meeting: 2006 regular season, Bingham won 44-20

It's only fitting these teams are meeting in the playoffs.

For seven straight years from 2000 to 2006 Bingham and Fremont played each other in the preseason. Both coaches said they looked forward to the match-up every year knowing their players were in for a great test.

Ironically enough, they didn't end up playing each other this year.

Both schools agreed to bypass this year's game so they could play out-of-state teams in a doubleheader in Cedar City in Week 3. Bingham ended up beating Kahuku, Hawaii whereas Fremont beat Dorsey, Calif., 27-7. Eight weeks later Fremont and Bingham finally meet.

Defending 5A state champion Bingham is a huge favorite in this game. Led by BYU signees Justin Sorensen and Austin Holt, not to mention 2007 Mr. Football candidate Sam Langi, the Miners are a major force once again. Offensively they average just over 36 points and only surrender 11.8 ppg.

Fremont is no doubt happy to still be playing. After starting the season 3-0, Fremont promptly lost four of five before closing the season with wins over Syracuse and Clearfield. That created a rematch with Clearfield in Tuesday's play-in game, and Fremont again won easily 33-14.

As good as Chase Moore was in the two Clearfield games, he'll have to be even better if Fremont is to have any chance against Bingham.

Fremont Silver Wolves statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 24.4 ppg

Scoring defense: 14.3 ppg

Passing leader: Chase Moore (157-285, 55.1%, 2,128 yards, 20 TDs)

Rushing leader: Dalton Aiken (71 rushes, 275 yards, 2 TDs)

Receiving leader: Derek Monkres (66 receptions, 1,069 yards, 7 TDs)

Tackles leader: Brandon Bennett, Blake Jenkins (79 tackles)

Sacks leader: Mitch Newey (2 1/2 sacks)