By Tony Jones
The Salt Lake Tribune
Published Sep 18, 2010 07:20PM
Updated Sep 19, 2010 12:38AM
The high school football season officially is at the halfway point.
We’ve learned quite a bit in the five previous weeks.
Bingham is indeed the best team this state has seen in years — if ever — and one of the best in the country. We’ve learned that Timpview is on pace for a fifth consecutive Class 4A title.
We’ve learned that Westlake has been a revelation, and that there may not be the need for a coach of the year race because Brandon Matich has it all but locked up for the job he’s done at East. We’ve even learned that Alta is human and that its football program is indeed capable of having a down season.
But who are the true contenders in Classes 5A, 4A and 3A? Who are the pretenders? Who are the teams that can win state champions? Who are the teams that merely have nice records, but lack the intangibles needed to take the final step?
This column will be dedicated to the search for the truth, with the good news being that a team thrown into the pretender category has a month to dig its way out. Of course, the opposite rings true for any team labeled a contender.
Class 5A contenders
Bingham • The best team in the state, regardless of class, and a team that’s going to be next to impossible to beat. Running back Harvey Langi is the best player in the state. Stefan Cantwell isn’t far from being the best quarterback in the state. The Miners have great players on both sides of the ball, a fast and powerful defense and an offense that puts up big numbers. It will take a perfect game to beat Bingham, and frankly I’m not sure anyone out there can put that together over four quarters against this team.
Lone Peak • Has a combination of offense and defense that matches up with what it may take to beat the Miners.
The Knights are 4-1 on the season, and have dealt with injury. But backup quarterback Talon Shumway has done such a good job of spelling starter Chase Hansen while he mends a concussion that it’s fair to question whether Lone Peak is better off with him behind center. “[Shumway] can throw the ball and he can run the ball,” Alta head coach Les Hamilton said. “He’s a true dual threat and he’s tough to contain.”
Class 5A pretenders
Alta • No doubt the Hawks have the talent to make a long run. But at this point, they’ve been terribly inconsistent this season. A convincing win over Brighton on Friday is one thing. But Boston Handley, the senior quarterback, has thrown eight interceptions this season, and was actually benched against Jordan.
“If we can become consistent, then we have the chance to be contenders,” coach Les Hamilton said. “But if we don’t get consistent, then we’re pretenders. We have to decide who we want to be.”
Davis • The Darts will win Region 1. They have a good chance to go unbeaten in the regular season. They even have a good chance to make a deep run with their defense, one of the best in the state. But Davis doesn’t have the offense it did last season, and at some point that will hurt the Darts in a key moment. If only last year’s star running back Tanner Hinds had another year of eligibility remaining.
Class 4A contenders
Timpview • Of course the Thunderbirds are contenders. They are still the same explosive team offensively that they always were. Defensively, they are still fast, athletic and able to shut you down. This is a team that will be almost as difficult to beat as Bingham in Class 5A.
East • This is the one team that may be physically able to challenge Timpview. Tanner Curtis is in the top echelon of quarterbacks in the state. The Leopards run an explosive triple-option offense, and they have a great defense that gets to the ball fast and hits you hard when it gets there. East, behind Matich, is for real.
Class 4A pretenders
Mountain Crest • Despite the presence of standout quarterback Alex Kuresa, the Mustangs don’t have what it takes to beat Timpview if the two teams were to meet, which is the measure here. Kuresa only can do so much. So expect a run in the postseason, but don’t expect a title.
Westlake • A great story, a second-year team that’s unbeaten so far and has an MVP candidate in quarterback John Ursua. But the schedule so far has been weak and the experience at an elite level isn’t there.
Class 3A contenders
Juan Diego • After a rough start with a loss to 4A’s West, the Soaring Eagle are back on track. This is a big, athletic team that can score and play defense. There are plenty of good teams in Class 3A, but Juan Diego and Hurricane clearly are the best of the bunch.
Hurricane • This may be the season that the Tigers finally break through and win the state title. They rarely have been challenged.
Class 3A pretenders
Richfield • Despite being 5-0, and despite allowing just 51 points on the season, Richfield isn’t ready to compete with Hurricane and Juan Diego.
Desert Hills • Has a gaudy 4-1 record, but failed miserably in its only test of the season, a 30-7 loss to Pine View.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/50310534-77/season-team-class-contenders.html.csp
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