When the Bingham Miners had to have a big play this season, Chase Swensen was the go-to guy. 

“Chase has had a phenomenal year,” Bingham head coach Eric Jones said of his senior all-purpose back. “He's been so vital to our success on offense and in special teams.” 

Swensen may be diminutive in height at 5-feet-7-inches, but he sure made up for that supposed deficiency with a 34.5 yards per kick return average, good for fourth best in the entire state of Utah. 

According to Jones, Swensen put in the hard work during the offseason to make sure he’d be ready when his name got called. 

“He really prepared his body [in the off-season] and came into the year turning heads and drawing the attention of our coaching staff with the way he performed in summer camp and fall camp,” Jones said.

Against then-No. 1 ranked Mater Dei [California] early in the season, Swensen’s 79-yard kick return for a touchdown electrified a standing-room-only crowd at Ron Case Stadium. 

And versus Mountain Ridge on Senior Night Oct. 13, it was Swensen who burst past all of Mountain Ridge’s defenders for a 51-yard touchdown run with 4:13 to play to clinch a 37-27 win. 

The Bingham senior saved the best for that last regular season game he’d ever play, carrying the football 23 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns. 

With that big-play capability, it makes you wonder if Swensen has had any offers from colleges. But Jones said one is unlikely to happen due to his size. 

“Given his height, not really. It's unfortunate but these colleges are big on measurables,” Jones said of his senior, who in addition to being only 5 feet 7 inches tall weighs just 165 pounds. 

Despite that lack of size, Swensen’s been the team’s top kick returner [379 yards, 2 TD]. And the senior’s also been the Miners’ third leading ground-gainer of the season with 509 yards. 

With seniors Triston Brimhall and Carson Sudbury stuck on the sidelines at various points this season due to injuries, Swensen has provided that extra juice when the team really needed it. 

Jones said he wanted to add that he’s equally grateful for the contributions the taller and heavier 6-foot tall, 185 pound Brimhall has made for the Miners. 

“So many coaches preach that next-man-up mentality, so it sounds cliché … but Chase and Triston were the next men up [from Sudbury] and took advantage of their opportunities,” Jones said. “I'm really proud of both of them. They're incredibly humble, hard-working and tough.”

As a duo, Swensen [86 carries, 509 yards] and Brimhall [796 yards rushing on 116 carries] have been the equivalent of Britain Covey and D’Andre Swift on the Philadelphia Eagles in that Covey will get you the yards and Brimhall, the touches. 

And for Bingham, that team-first approach has made a huge difference, according to Jones. 

“When Sudbury got hurt in the season opener at Lone Peak, Chase & Triston Brimhall stepped up and filled in incredibly well. Chase has had some monster plays & games offensively and on special teams for us,” Jones said. 

“It's been great to see them have fantastic senior seasons and really help the team out with their selfless, team-first approach to the game.” λ