5A high school football preview: Hawks, Miners ready for battle again in state's hottest rivalry

Friday, 2:30 p.m. Rice-Eccles Stadium (field turf)

TV: KJZZ Radio: AM1230

Parrys Power Guide Bingham by 1

Playing Alta is obviously one of Bingham's focuses during the offseason. But after losing twice to the Hawks in 2008 when they blew fourth quarter leads, the Miners took it to another level.

Every time the Bingham players lifted weights, they finished with a burnout set. Before they started the set where they would work their muscles to failure, the Miners would yell out at "four," as reminders of how Alta outlasted them and beat them twice last season, with the second defeat coming in the state championship game.

The hard work paid off.

Bingham gained a measure of revenge when it beat Alta 38-34 in Week 2 back in August. The Miners, down 14 at halftime, completely dominated the second half. Their humongous offensive line took control of the game, and running back Harvey Langi rushed for 189 yards.

When the fourth quarter started, the Miners' sideline erupted in shouts of "four," and Bingham dominated the period. The Miners outscored the Hawks 17-6, with Alta's six coming on a last-minute, long touchdown pass.

"When our kids just erupted, it wasn't make-believe," said Bingham coach Dave Peck. "It was months of hard work put into the reason they were saying it. Not that we want to lose to anybody in the fourth quarter, but we specifically said we don't want to lose to Alta in the fourth quarter."

The Miners will have another chance to reach their goal when they meet Alta again in the 5A semifinals on Friday. The state's hottest high school football rivalry will be renewed on the Rice-Eccles turf. It'll be the fourth straight season that Bingham and Alta will play in either the semis or title game.

The Hawks are the only in-state team to come within two touchdowns of the Miners, and they anxiously await the rematch. Now, it's Alta looking to overcome a forgettable fourth quarter.

Alta's defensive players will need some help from their offense to be successful against Bingham. The Miners' offensive line is dominant, and has simply taken over games after halftime. Langi and Richie Vakapuna are also tough backs, so the Hawks' offense will look to keep them off the field.

"We've got to move the ball consistently, keep their offense off the field and keep our defense fresh," said Alta coach Les Hamilton. "In the fourth quarter (of the first meeting between the two teams) our defense was gassed. They just plowed us."

High school football fans are expecting another classic between the two teams. It'll be the ninth time they've played in the last five seasons. Only one of the last six games has been decided by more than a touchdown.

"It's always been a big, hyped-up game and a lot of people show up and we always put on a show for them," said Bingham defensive back Braden Anderson.

Aaragorn@desnews.com