Park City fell just short of a state championship exactly once a decade over a 30-year stretch that began in 1980. But the Miners have been a one-and-done outfit come playoff time over the last few years.
That’s why a first-round comeback at Cedar City last year was a moment of glory for those Park City fans without a long memory. The Miners trailed by 21 points in the third quarter before rallying for a 28-21 win.
Of course it all ended with a blowout loss to Stansbury in the next round, but it was a solid first year for coach Josh Montzingo.
“It’s getting interesting,” Montzingo said. “But we’ve still gotta work hard and work together.”
Graduation losses took enough of a toll that the Miners’ faithful probably shouldn’t expect a big playoff improvement, but that’s what Montzingo is shooting for nevertheless.
“We lost a really good group of seniors, and we’re not super deep,” Montzingo said. “The talent is there. It’s getting better, but it’s young. We need them to grow up fast.”
PARK CITY MINERS <br>Coach • Josh Montzingo, second year<br>Last season • 6-6, 3-4 in 3AA North; Advanced to Class 3AA quarterfinals <br>Title game appearances • 1980, 1990, 2001 <br>2017 SCHEDULE <br>Aug. 18 • at Morgan, 7 p.m. <br>Aug. 25 • at Logan, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 1 • South Summit, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 8 • at Payson, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 15 • at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 22 • Bonneville, 7 p.m. <br>Sept. 29 • Stansbury, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 6 • at Ogden, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 12 (Thurs.) • at Tooele, 7 p.m. <br>Oct. 18 (Wed.) • Ridgeline, 7 p.m.
Behind center • Spencer Zur threw for 2,884 yards in 2016, but his graduation left the Park City coaches searching for a new quarterback. The guy they asked was standout wide receiver Beau Pederson (6 foot 4, 190 pounds). “We were talking about that, and he said, ‘Yeah, I can throw,’” Montzingo recalled. “He said, ‘You should have asked me last year.’ So why not put the ball in one of your best athlete’s hands for every play?” The Miners got a welcome transfer from Georgia in Chris Quinlan (6-0, 195), who saw reserve duty with Class 7A Forsyth Central as a junior. He’ll be joined by sophomore Dylan Bauer (5-9, 155), a standout lacrosse player, as well as junior Max Meza (5-10, 170) and senior Joey Lukrich (6-0, 185) in the backfield.
Ball hawks • Another Zur, Collin Zur, also graduated, and that left a hole in the wide receiver outfit. But senior Tyler Shea (6-3, 230) has been dubbed “Baby Gronkowski” by the coaches, and he’ll be a threat from the tight end position all the way to lining up near the sideline. “He’s a monster, but he can move,” Montzingo said. “He can be a nightmare for corners.” Lukrich also will be a slot receiver and chases down balls and receivers defensively as a cornerback. Look for further defensive backfield help from senior A.J. Adrian (5-10, 185), who started at safety last year, and Pederson doubling as a free safety.
In the trenches • Shea is also a menace to the opposition as a defensive end, and he’ll bookend the line with sophomore newcomer Chase Johansen (6-0, 185), although the defensive tackles are still to be worked out. The offensive line, on the other hand, returns “five or six that had significant time,” Montzingo said. Senior Ben Sprung (6-0, 200) will line up at center, while fellow senior Sage Doman (6-2, 250) will be at guard. Other spots on the O-line will be filled with returning seniors Joe Graf (6-2, 195) and Billy Honey (6-4, 215), while sophomore Carver Rodman (6-1, 185) already has shown ability with some action as a freshman.
Hit men • Senior Conner Christofferson (6-3, 185) had some making up to do after tearing an MCL late in the year. But he recuperated, even playing in a high school prospects game at the Cowboys’ stadium, AT&T Stadium, in Dallas, and he’s ready to lay the pads on foes from middle linebacker. Junior Penn Komisar (6-1, 205) will be at outside linebacker, where he will be joined by Sprung. Pederson was his team’s leading tackler with 56 solo stops and 34 assists in 2016, so he’s likely to play as much as he wants on defense — to go with his newfound quarterback job.
Key returners • Beau Pederson, Sr. (QB); Tyler Shea, Sr. (TE); Conner Christofferson, Sr. (MLB); Ben Sprung, Sr. (C/LB)
Key losses • Spencer Zur, QB; Collin Zur, WR; Ben Towery, LB; Connor Keizer, RB/LB
The next wave • Chris Quinlan, Sr. (RB); Chase Johansen, So. (DE); Carver Rodman, So. (OT/OG); Penn Komisar, Jr. (LB)