For two quarters and some change at Ron Thorne Stadium Friday Aug. 16, the Bingham Miners football team stayed in the game by making big plays on defense. But two third quarter turnovers by the Miners offense against Lone Peak spelled the difference in a 21-0 defeat. 

Make no mistake; the Miners were still in this game heading into the halftime break.  

Trailing 7-0 after a Lone Peak touchdown was scored in the first quarter, Isaac Larson showed why he’s one of the state’s top athletes in the second. As the final seconds of the first half ticked off the clock, the junior transfer from Herriman High leapt into the air, high-pointing the arc of the ball as he swatted it away with both hands at the Bingham 1. 

That led to a field goal try from Lone Peak that was partially deflected as time ran out on the first half, keeping the Miners in the game as they jogged into the locker room down seven. 

Out of halftime, the Bingham defense forced a three-and-out, providing the Miners offense with some life. The Miners’ all-purpose player Charger Doty carried the ball to the Lone Peak 47 from the Bingham 48 on the first play. 

That five-yard run from Doty, who will be used in various ways on the Miners this season, showed promise. But that would be all Bingham could do on its first drive of the second half, as it also went three-and-out. 

By all accounts, the Bingham defense was the player of the game—until an interception by Lone Peak at the Miners’ 16-yard-line threatened to put the game away for good. 

It was the first interception thrown by junior quarterback Ayden Dunn, who in his first game as a Miner rolled to his left but didn’t see the Lone Peak linebacker waiting in the flat. 

That pick led to the second Lone Peak touchdown on the ground that was aided by a facemask penalty on Bingham. 

On the next Bingham drive, the youngster Dunn zipped a throw into his big senior wide receiver Karl Tuaao, who rumbled for 14 yards and a first down. 

The Miners appeared to have found a way to get back in the game but as Dunn rolled right, he made a similar mistake to his first intercepted pass, though this throw went further downfield. A Lone Peak linebacker picked it off at the Bingham 43 and ran it back to the house for six, placing the Miners in a 21-0 hole after the PAT was good. 

That would be all for Dunn, who completed six of 20 passes for 38 yards. On the next series, he was replaced by junior Boston Singley who had a pass in the fourth quarter that had the same effect—an interception. 

In a game that was riddled with penalties—especially of the unsportsmanlike conduct variety—and turnovers, it had a few bright spots. 

With so many new players and changes in personnel, the Miners defense made a goal-line stand to close out the game and keep the final score at 21-0. 

A small victory, but one nonetheless. Another is that Isaac Larson is going to be the type of player who will keep defensive coordinators—and offensive ones—up at night. The junior and Herriman transfer had 91 yards rushing on just 12 carries. Karl Tuaao had 22 yards receiving on two catches to lead the Miners in that category; junior John Kulimushi also had two catches on the night for 12 yards. 

On defense, senior linebacker Lucas Talbot had nine tackles, a career-high for him. Junior Villami Moala added eight tackles, senior Will Van Cott seven and seniors Linkin Wilberger and Kisina Afemui six apiece for the Miners. 

Senior team captain Doty had three tackles, and Moala had five QB hurries while senior Lala Pepa registered the team’s only sack. 

By the time you read this, Bingham will have played preseason games at Crimson Cliffs, the defending 4A champs on Aug. 23 and then the Miners will visit highly touted Lehi on Aug. 30. The Miners will be home to Skyridge Sept. 6 and will be at Syracuse Sept. 13 to close out the preseason schedule.  

Region 2 play will get underway for the Miners on Sept. 20. λ