This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

PARK CITY MINERS

The Hurry-up — Park City finished 5-6 overall, 2-4 in 3AA North, and lost to Hurricane in first round of the playoffs.

John Montzingo takes over as the Miners' head coach after veteran leader Mike Shepherd resigned in the offseason. Montzingo does have quite a bit of familiarity with the current Park City crew, as he moves up from his assistant coach's role.

One thing Montzingo knows he has: A top pass-catch duo in the form of twins Spencer and Collin Zur.

"We have a good senior quarterback and a twin brother who catches everything," Montzingo said of the Zur boys, who teamed up for over 1,000 yards in completions. "The twin telepathy is also really fun to watch."

Park City might be a bit young on defense, and the offensive line is still a work-in-progress, but Montzingo has a good deal of size and experience returning in the offensive skill players, who will be relied upon defensively as well.

Quarterbacks — Spencer Zur lit up the stat sheets a year ago, surpassing the 3,000-yard passing mark his junior season along with 28 touchdowns. If something should happen to Zur, Montzingo considers junior Joey Lukrich his "first-option emergency," although Lukrich will be needed elsewhere. Waiting in the wings is talented sophomore Alec More.

Running backs — Evan Esquivel and Connor Keizer, both seniors, are expected to spearhead the running attack in the Park City backfield. Esquivel (6-2, 200) is a soccer player with good footwork, but no rushes a year ago, while Keizer (6-0, 205) had limited carries for the Miners in 2015.

Receivers — It's no shock that Collin Zur will be a favorite target during his senior year, but not just because of his relation to the quarterback. "He tracks the ball, catches the ball away from his body," Montzingo said. Spencer Zur will also look for tall junior Beau Pederson (6-3, 185), who started his sophomore year, as well as junior Tyler Shea (6-2, 200), who might be characterized as a flex tight end as he can play tight to the line or spread wide.

Offensive linemen — It's a big rebuilding job on the line for Park City, which will at least welcome back one senior who should have started last year. Cameron Gallagher (6-2, 200) tore his ACL in the first game of 2015, but is slated at left tackle this season. At right tackle, look for big senior Eli Alford (6-0, 265) to man the post. In between, center is in flux, but junior Sage Doman (5-11, 215), senior Brad Gilbert (6-0, 205), junior Tanner Prichard (6-0, 230) and junior Chris Gilbert (5-11, 200) will be in the rotation for guard spots.

Defensive linemen — Prichard and Brad Gilbert should also be at defensive tackle positions in the Miners' 4-2-5 scheme. At the ends of the line, the pool of players includes Alford, Gallagher and Shea. Alford proved his tackling capability a year ago, making 19 solo stops and assisting on 28 others.

Linebackers — Ben Towery (6-0, 180) racked up some tackling numbers, getting a combined 50 stops (solo and assists), although he missed the last two games of the season to injury. Tower and Keizer will get the first looks at linebacker, but Esquivel might become a major presence as Montzingo says, "He could be special."

Defensive backs — Like his role with the receiving corps, Collin Zur will be a secondary staple at strong safety. Beau Pederson will line up nearby at another safety spot, while Lukrich, Cy Coleman and Russ Reiss bring experience to the cornerback positions.

Key Players

Spencer Zur, QB — As a junior, Zur (6-1, 205) threw for 3,178 yards and 28 touchdowns and is poised for similar stats for his last go-round.

Collin Zur, WR/S — Collin is Spencer's twin brother and often his target, as last year's total of 1,398 yards receiving proved.

Eli Alford, OT/DE — Good with his hands and quick off the snap, Alford (6-0, 265) has college interest from Air Force and Akron University.

Key Losses

Grayson Maddux, RB/LB — Maddux led the team with 502 yards rushing in '15 and was a regular defensive stopper as well.

Jack Root, RB/CB — Also missing out of the backfield, Root tallied 379 yards on the ground last year.

Harrison Wakefield, CB — Next to Maddux, Wakefield had the most tackles for the Miners with 38 solo stops and 30 assists.

Name To Know: Beau Pederson is well known in Utah prep lacrosse circles, as he'll go to Princeton eventually to play that sport, but he'll be a constant presence on the Park City gridiron at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary.

2016 Schedule

Aug. 19 — at Union, 7 p.m. (Won, 51-12, in 2015)

Aug. 26 — Cyprus, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 — at South Summit, 7 p.m. (Lost 27-24)

Sept. 9 — Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. (Lost 42-29)

Sept. 16 — at Bear River, 7 p.m. (Won 28-6)

Sept. 23 — at Stansbury, 7 p.m. (Won 38-28)

Sept. 30 — Judge Memorial, 7 p.m. (Lost 47-25)

Oct. 7 — Ridgeline, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 — Tooele, 7 p.m. (Lost 35-14)

Oct. 19 — at Logan, 7 p.m. (Lost 49-21)

Verdict: With a new coach and a raw group of linemen, it might take time for the Miners to round into shape. Then again, if the skill players have their way, it's not out of the question for Park City to end up in the middle of the region pack.

Projected finish in region: Eighth