Herbstreit Series: Can Utah magic continue in Arlington?

By Mitch Stephens Sep 6, 2009, 12:00am

Bingham hopes to continue where BYU left off at the New Cowboys Stadium in the premier game of the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series against Trinity.

Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series

At New Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

 

* Bingham, Utah (2-0) vs. Trinity, Euless, Texas (0-0), 10:30 a.m. (CT)

* Colleyville Heritage, Texas (1-0) vs. Irving McArthur, Texas (1-0), 1:30 p.m.

* Mansfield Timberview, Texas (1-0) vs. Mansfield Summit, Texas (1-0), 4:30 p.m.

* Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (0-0) vs. Klein Oak, Texas (0-1), 7:30 p.m.

 

ARLINGTON, Texas - The venue couldn’t be larger or more luxurious.

 

The out-of-state opponents couldn’t be more intriguing.

 

Many of the top-tier talents appear destined for Sundays.  

 

The options are endless for true high school fans in Monday’s all-day Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series at New Cowboys Stadium. 

 

Bingham's Harvey Langi was Utah's third-leading rusher in 2008.
Bingham's Harvey Langi was Utah's third-leading rusher in 2008.
Photo by Matthew Sauk
Utah’s top-ranked Bingham hopes to continue its state’s magic at the much-ballyhooed stadium, site of BYU’s stunning upset of third-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday night, when it faces Trinity (Euless, Texas) in the first of four games starting at 10:30 a.m.  

Bingham (2-0) lost in the state 2008 5A finals and features one of the country’s top junior running backs in Harvey Langi, who last season ranked third in the state with 1,371 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Trinity, the state 5A-1 state champ in 2005 and 2007, also features one of the country’s best backs from the class of 2011 in Tevin Williams (5-11, 175), who helped the Trojans to a 13-1 2008 season.

 

Trinity was ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season before a season-ending 34-21 loss to Allen in the state quarterfinals.

 

Like Bingham, Trinity festered during an entire offseason thinking about a painful defeat. The Trojans also return another talented running back in Damien Hart (5-10, 190) and one of the state’s top offensive linemen in Isi Crocker (6-1, 333), who was ranked one of the top 50 recruited seniors in the state by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

 

Though Trinity appears to have more beef and raw talent, Bingham has a huge advantage in experience, having already played two games this season with wins over Viewmont (28-8) and Alta (38-34).

 

Langi has rushed 40 times for 278 yards and caught five passes for 134 yards in the two victories.

 

Notre Dame QB Ryan Kasdorf threw for more than 3,200 yards in 08.
Notre Dame QB Ryan Kasdorf threw for more than 3,200 yards in 08.
Photo by Anthony Watson
Considering the venue and nationally televised event - all games will be broadcast live on FSN - this is one of the biggest games in Utah state history.

The late game features the highest ranked team in the Series as Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), led by preseason All-American quarterback Ryan Kasdorf (6-2, 210), is No. 5 in the country according to the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, compiled by MP National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak.  

 

Kasdorf was the 2008 California Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 3,291 yards and 36 touchdowns.  

Notre Dame, No. 18 in the MaxPreps Freeman computer rankings, takes on a strong Texas squad Klein Oak (Spring) at 7:30 p.m.

 

Klein Oak, which went 10-2 last year, opened the season with a tough 23-17 game to Cypress Creek.

 

The two All-Texas games – Colleyville Heritage (1-0) versus Irving MacArthur (1-0) and Mansfield Timberview (1-0) against Mansfield Summit (1-0) – feature not only four undefeated teams but numerous standouts.

 

Summit boasts two state Top 50 recruits in running back Nelson Akinwander (5-10, 202) and tight end Eric Waters (6-4, 209).

 

Timberview’s Terrance Davis (5-8, 162) is one of the state’s top athlete.