High school football 5A semi preview: Red-hot Bingham out for revenge from earlier loss to Skyline

SKYLINE (8-4) vs. BINGHAM (10-2)

Thursday, 10:30 a.m. — Rice-Eccles Stadium (field turf) — Salt Lake City

Ticket information: Students can purchase tickets from their high school. Fans can purchase tickets at U. ticket office

TV: None — Radio: AM1230 — Parry's Power Guide — Bingham by 21

Since the final whistle blew on Skyline's stunning 24-17 win over Bingham in Week 1, the Miners have wanted another shot at the Eagles.

They finally get it on Thursday. The two teams play in a much-anticipated rematch in the 5A semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Kickoff is at 10:30 a.m.

By now, most followers of high school football know the story from the season opener. Bingham was at less than full strength after coach Dave Peck suspended a few of his key players for the Skyline game. The Eagles, coming off a 7-5 season and a blowout loss to the Miners in the 2007 opener, were still considered underdogs in the game.

But Skyline never trailed and shocked Bingham with a late 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kevin Wagstaff. The result was a reality check for the Miners, who are in the semifinals for the third straight year and looking for some revenge this time.

"It's just another game," Peck said sarcastically. "I think coaches are lying when they say that (revenge) has nothing to do with how they're going into a game or how they're preparing. If our kids have any pride, they'll want to prove to the Skyline players and coaches that they can compete hard. I expect our kids to play hard."

The Miners aren't the same team that lost to Skyline early in the season. Bingham has won 10 straight games after working out some early chemistry issues. The Miners' easy 48-20 win over Jordan last week was the team's seventh straight victory by at least 27 points.

"Bingham is playing as good a football as any team in the state," said Skyline coach Roger Dupaix. "It's like Halloween, they're so scary. They're so good. I mean, I couldn't believe it. Against Jordan, they executed so well and played so well."

The Eagles have also significantly improved since their win over the Miners. Skyline didn't look like it had much of a chance of advancing deep in the playoffs after losing to Jordan 41-21 in Week 8. The Eagles, however, have rebounded from that subpar performance and held their last three opponents to a total of three points.