High school football 5A Semifinals preview: Alta vs. Bingham

There is no question that when the UHSAA first rolled out its rotating brackets for the state football tournament this season, people were disappointed to see that the Region 2 and Region 3 champions were slated to meet in the semifinals.

The letdown was because they knew that Alta and Bingham should once again be the cream of the crop in 5A this year — they were right. They also remembered 2006's championship game played in front of around 20,000 people between the two schools that has been labeled a classic and one of the best final games in state history — a game Bingham won 21-19 when it stopped a two-point conversion in the final seconds.

The rivalry continues Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium as the matchup everyone had circled has come to fruition.

"We figured that it would get to the two of us," said Alta defensive lineman Derek Keller. "It is going to be a battle, a great rematch."

Bingham figures to hold the upper hand mentally. Not only did the Miners win the state title a year ago, but they also won a preseason contest between the two, 23-20. Of course, a preseason game is a much different occasion than a semifinal.

"I don't really think that matters at all," said coach Les Hamilton. "We are a different team now than both last year and how we were at the beginning of the season. We are back and as healthy as we have been, and we are looking for a true battle of two great teams."

Besides featuring two of the top offenses and defenses in the state, the game features two of the state's top running backs in Sausan Shakerin of Alta and Sam Langi from Bingham. Shakerin slashed, powered and sped his way to 276 yards in last season's thriller and was later named the 2006 Deseret Morning News Mr. Football. He has struggled through injuries to both knees in this, his senior season, but appears to be rounding into top form physically.

"What a stud," said Hamilton of his star. "We have been riding the legs of him pretty hard lately, and he has been coming through when it counts most."

Langi has been the workhorse of the Miners offense. He has carried the ball for 1,711 yards and 22 scores and is the first option for the defending champions.

Which of the two stars will impose his will on the other team? Only what happens on the field Friday will tell.