High school football: Miners grab last-gasp win over Hawks

SALT LAKE CITY — Through the years, Bingham-Alta games have typically featured great offense and defense all rolled into one. Saturday night's showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium had it all, too.

In a bizarre twist from most games in the "Black & Blue" rivalry, the defenses did most of their damage in the first half while the offenses dominated the second half.

After a scoreless first half, Bingham did just enough in a wild second half — most notably make its extra points — as it hung on for the wild 21-18 victory as Kalan Cantwell caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Brady Lail with just 17 seconds remaining.

"Another classic," said Bingham coach Dave Peck

With the victory, Bingham extended the third-longest winning streak in state history to 26 straight, including four straight over Alta.

Saturday's game was the second straight year Alta and Bingham have played their regular-season clash at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Alta first-year coach Bob Stephens said the opportunity to play under the lights in front of 15,000 to 20,000 fans never gets old.

"Absolutely. We love the opportunity. It feels like a playoff game that happens early in the season. It just has a great electric atmosphere," said Stephens.

Fans who stuck it out through the unbearable first half were rewarded with another fantastic finish.

Trailing 18-14 with 2:40 remaining, Bingham patiently marched 55 yards in nine plays, with Cantwell capping it off with a leaping catch near the front corner of the end zone.

"Everybody has talked about Alta, Alta, Alta. I know in some the rankings they put us at No. 1 because of the teams we've had in the past, but we've been telling (our guys) you go prove to everybody that you belong and you are the No. 1 team in the state," said Peck.

Lail finished the game completely 12-of-19 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

"I'm just so excited, we haven't beat these guys forever. We came out here ready, fought our heart out," said Lail.

After the first-half stalemate, Bingham finally put an end to the offensive woes for both teams on its first drive of the second half as Daniel Palepoi capped a nine-play, 63-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run midway through the third quarter.