By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

In news that shouldn’t surprise any high school football fan, the Bingham Miners have extended their undefeated streak.

The Miners, two-time defending state champs (5A champions in 2016, 6A champions last season), entered the season on a 28-game winning tear. Bingham jumped out of the gate to a 4-0 start this season, thanks to a stingy defense and an efficient offense.

The biggest question is this: When will the Miners lose again?

Bingham last lost in the 5A state semifinals to Lone Peak in 2015. The Miners’ last regular season loss to an in-state team was on Sept. 27, 2012, when those same Lone Peak Knights got past them 21-17.

Heading into the season, the Miners had to replace some key starters. However, head coach John Lambourne, like former coach Dave Peck before him, seems to restock and reload with more talent each year. The Miners scored impressive victories over Orem, 39-22, and East, 30-8, to begin the year, holding the two strong programs in check. In a third-straight win over East, Bingham tamed the vaunted Leopards’ rushing attack and held East to its lowest point total in four years.

In game three on Aug. 31, Bingham blanked Herriman 27-0, holding the Mustangs to negative 14 yards rushing and an astonishing five total yards of offense. Bingham had seven sacks in the game, including three from Lolani Langi and two from Sione Fotu. Meanwhile, the offense generated 89 yards rushing from Andrew Wimmer and 202 yards through the air from quarterback Peyton Jones, who also tossed a pair of touchdowns.

The Miners had an intriguing game against Mountain Pointe, Arizona, on Sept. 8, which was played in Las Vegas, Nevada. This game belonged to Evona Hall, who had two touchdown runs in Bingham’s 21-14 victory over one of Arizona’s top teams. One of Hall’s touchdowns was a long 92-yard scamper through the Mountain Pointe defense. Bingham held a 21-14 lead going into the fourth quarter and didn’t allow its opponent to tie things up.

On its quest for a third straight state championship, Bingham opened up Region 4 play at Pleasant Grove on Sept. 14 with a 35-32 victory. The Miners head to Westlake on Sept. 21 for the second of four region contests. Bingham has won six straight region crowns, last losing out on the title in 2011 when it was second to Lone Peak in Region 4. It also shared the Region 4 championship with Lone Peak in 2012.

One of the hallmarks of the Bingham program, however, has been a laser-focused approach to taking things one game at a time and not overlooking any opponent. Lambourne knows every opponent will be looking to take down the Goliaths from South Jordan, but he and his players also relish the opportunity to prove themselves.