By Steve Pimper
MaxPreps.com
For the fourth-straight time, the Bingham Miners edged by east side rival Alta in Utah's Friday showcase game of the week. And once again it was a bruising, head-knocking battle decided by less than a touchdown as the No. 1 Miners prevailed 23-20 in a rematch of last year's 5A state title game.
Bingham posted the victory thanks to a valiant total team defensive effort that completely stonewalled the Hawks superstar running back, Sausan Shakerin. Shakerin was named Utah's Mr. Football in 2006 as a junior after posting more than 2,350 yards rushing and scoring 37 touchdowns. Friday night he couldn't get into the end zone even once and was completely overshadowed offensively by the Miners place-kicker supreme, Justin Sorenson.
Sorenson has already verbally committed to Brigham Young University, but is well on his way to setting several all-time state records before kicking for the Cougars next year. Sorenson booted three field goals (of 36, 51 and 59-yards) and converted two extra points to lead the Bingham scoring attack.
According to Utah Football Historian, George Felt, Sorenson needs to make only five more field goals to rewrite the record book and push the Hawks again into second place. That's because the current career field goal record of 22 is held by Alta's Dene Garner (1980-82). With the three booted by Sorenson on Friday he now has a career total of 18.
Sorenson has already kicked five of those perfect three-pointers in the first two games and may easily eclipse two more state marks during the year. The longest prep field goal ever kicked in the Beehive State stands at a 60 yards by Ross Caputo of Judge Memorial way back in 1970. Sorenson's 59-yarder Friday could easily have been good from beyond that current record mark. The other record in jeopardy of falling is the 17 made field goals in a single season, currently held by South Summit's Curtis McEntire.
Other interesting games across the state in the second week of play found No. 1 ranked 4A powerhouse Timpview grabbing a 30-0 lead after three-quarters at Spanish Fork and then watching the Dons score 28 points in the final 12 minutes to give the Thunderbirds a real scare. Timpview prevailed, 30-28.
Mountain View parlayed a final period 60-yard run by T.J. Mounga and a last second 39-yard field goal by C.J. Garner as the Bruins came from behind to post a 17-14 victory over West Jordan.
The Cyprus Pirates spoiled the home opener for Kearns by posting an overtime 21-20 win while up the road at Copper Hills; Box Elder stopped a game-tying two point conversion try inches short with 30-seconds remaining as the Bees stung the Grizzlies 22-20.
Interstate battles against Nevada teams found Pine View romping over Las Vegas, 45-12, while Milford rolled past White Pine, 42-8. But the Nevada teams earned a split as Spring Valley crushed Granger, 56-15, and Cimarron Memorial upset Dixie, 29-27.
Defending 1A champion Duchesne had its 13-game winning streak snapped as South Summit cruised to a 52-12 win. Ogden High also ended a two-year, 22-game losing streak as coach Dennis Dalton's Tigers clawed Layton Christian for a 42-0 victory.
After two weeks there are some eye-popping surprises to report, most notably the 0-2 starts by defending 3A state champion Bear River, who got thoroughly dismantled by Sky View 48-0, and preseason top 10-ranked Hunter also remains winless after falling to Timpanogas, 34-7. Finally the Skyline Eagles also fell for the second-straight week, this time to East High by a convincing 49-20 count.
Looking ahead to the third week of action the cross-county rivalries highlight this Friday's docket with Viewmont at Bountiful, Sky View at Logan, Lone Peak at Timpview and the annual battle for the Golden Spike pitting Bear River at Box Elder grabbing the spotlight.