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It figures that Dave Peck will end his Bingham football coaching tenure playing the third-ranked team in the country at a venue roughly 2,000 miles away from the Miners' South Jordan campus.
After all, the retiring coach has probably done as much to put Utah prep football on the national map as anyone.
Bingham is participating in the featured game of the first annual State Champions Bowl Series at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla.
The Miners, ranked eighth in the latest USA Today prep football poll, will meet Florida 4A champion Booker T. Washington in a 6 p.m. MST Saturday game that will be televised nationally by ESPNU.
Peck, who is retiring as Bingham's head coach after 15 years, isn't shy about playing top out-of-state teams.
His team's only loss this season came against No. 1 ranked Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas. The Miners lost that one 23-20 in overtime.
"We've learned that our kids don't get intimidated by anybody," said Peck as the Miners — minus some basketball players and wrestlers — prepared for the game during a rare December practice. "We don't worry about the atmosphere, the stadium or what the other kids look like or what they are wearing."
According to organizers, only three state associations agreed to be part of the inaugural series and the larger Florida schools (the state has eight classifications in football) turned down the opportunity to play.
The Utah High School Activities Association board approved Beehive State participation in the series after the Fremont girls' basketball team played in a similar national tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York last season.
Peck said the UHSAA approved Bingham's unusual post-state championship game practice schedule. He checked with the school's basketball and wrestling coaches to let them know he would work around their schedules.
For example, quarterback Kyle Gearig, who is expected to play after injuring his elbow in the state semifinal game, top running back Cameron Smith and top receiver Michael Green were all playing in a Las Vegas basketball tournament as Peck and his planned successor, offensive coordinator John Lambourne, ran the Miners' recent football practice.
Peck said that his team will be facing several disadvantages.
First, Booker T. Washington won its Florida's 4A title on December 6, while Bingham will have been off since beating American Fork for the state 5A title November 21.
Second, while Bingham will be flying across the country on Christmas Day, Booker T. Washington's campus is about an hour drive from the game venue.
Finally, the Tornadoes are a fine team. They finished ranked first in the USA Today 2013 football poll and will likely send at least a dozen players to Division I programs.
"It's a little weird, playing this late, but at least we have a week to take off and chill," said Booker T. Washington coach Tim Harris, Jr., in a statement, adding that "we'll play anyone, anywhere. This gives our kids an opportunity to play in a nationally televised game and that can open up doors for them."
Bingham coaches and players know they will be challenged.
"They are a talented team," said Peck. "They will try to spread you out and beat you with their athleticisim...They are quicker than quick. We are going to have to mix it up defensively and try to get after their quarterback, who will run all day if we sit back in the zone. We need to keep them off balance and do a great job disguising what we are in."
Colton Livingston, a two-year Bingham starter at wide receiver, knows all about his opponent's history, speed and 40-game winning streak. But he said the fact that the Miners played top-ranked Bishop Gorman so close gives them some confidence.
"They are very, very fast and big up front," said Bingham all-state defender Daniel Gasio. "We need to contain their speed. They have a shifty quarterback who is a great athlete...I don't think they have seen and offense like ours that pounds it down and I don't think they are ready for Coach Peck's defense."
Bingham players, who are excited to get to spend an extra five weeks practicing with their friends, also hope to give Peck a win in his last game.
"That gives us extra incentive to get the job done," said Bingham cornerback Dominieke Jones. "We want to send him out on a high note against the number three team in the nation."
Miner all-state punter and placekicker Chayden Johnston said getting invited to the game is a reflection in Bingham's success.
"It shows a lot about our program and the success we have had," said the University of Utah commit. "It sums up our last couple of years, and what coach has built here."
Players say they will celebrate Christmas on the night before. Their chartered plane, which also will bring Washington State's two teams to the event, leaves Salt Lake International Airport at 12:30 p.m. Christmas Day.
Sponsors have paid all expenses for the game, though players say many parents may follow the Miners to Florida on their own.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Bingham vs. Booker T. Washington
Saturday, 6 p.m., at Florida Atlantic University
TV • ESPNU