Prep soccer: Brighton the 5A favorite, but others will challenge

Soccer » Lone Peak leads group of Region 4 contenders

By Bill Oram

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published May 14 2012 05:37 pm • Last Updated May 14 2012 11:58 pm

It’s not just Brighton and Alta.

In the Class 5A boys’ soccer tournament about half a dozen teams are capable of winning the title — and, yeah, the old war horses, Brighton and Alta, are among them.

The first round of the tournament begins Tuesday at home sites.

With the top two scoring teams, Weber and Davis, coming out of Region 1 and three teams from Region 4 — Lone Peak, Lehi and Bingham — capable of deep runs, there is no clear-cut favorite.

Brighton has been ranked No. 1 for much of the season and perhaps has the most demonstrated balance of offense and defense, scoring 43 goals while allowing just nine. The Bengals could potentially face Bingham, the No. 3 seed from Region 4, in the second round. The Miners are the only team that beat Brighton earlier this season.

Lone Peak won its final 13 games in the regular season, despite playing in perhaps the toughest 5A region.

The Knights haven’t won a championship since 2005, first-year head coach Blaine Hale’s senior year on the team. Their road to Rio Tinto Stadium, however, may be the toughest in the bracket. The Knights have to get past Hunter on Tuesday in the first round, but then will play either Davis or the defending 5A champion Alta in the second round. Viewmont, the Region 2 champion, is a potential semifinal opponent.

Looking for an upset on the opening day? Check out Alta-Davis. After a late-season malaise, the Darts are a bit of an unknown, but still are one of the most potent teams. Alta, meanwhile, is young, but played every game narrowly.

A first-round exit for the Hawks would be unheard of, but it would be a stunner for the Darts not to get beyond Tuesday.

So what would be the upset?

It’s going to be a fun two weeks.

boram@sltrib.com

Twitter: @oramb

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