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The Miners prepare for their playoff opener against Bear River

The Miners prepare for their playoff opener against Bear River

The Miners football team took to the turf at Dozier Field on Monday before the snow that blanketed the city on Tuesday. The team worked out the details of the game during practice without pads, looking to strengthen their game before the first game of the playoffs on Friday.

Friday Park City will face Bear River from Garland. The Bears played Friday at Timpanogos. Head coach Josh Montzingo was prepared for such an upset, having watched Bear River’s entire season of film thinking they could pull it off.

The specific drills the Miners went through focused on special teams, pass coverage and more. The intensity was palpable, especially from Montzingo and his staff.

Park City can’t afford to overlook their opponents despite their 4-7 record and No. 21 seed. Many of their losses have been extremely competitive games and each will bring their best ball this time of year.

“The next game is the playoffs,” Montzingo said. “They’re a good team, they’re very well coached, they’re big, they’re physical. … They play great defense and they’ve scored more in recent weeks. It will be a tough match, but it will be fun.”

Montzingo said the key to the game will be taking care of the football and getting the little things right. The Miners took home advantage this season, winning 4-0 at home. Should be around 30 during Friday’s game, Montzingo smiles and says he’s ready.

Miners head coach Josh Montzingo greets the players as they come off the field during the team’s win over Cottonwood last Friday. credit: Photo from the Park Record file by Clayton Steward

The head coach believes that his team optimized last week’s off week. He said the team is positive, healthier and more fundamental than before. They also managed to put some extra wrinkles in their game.

“It’s not like it’s rocket science or major stuff,” Montzingo said of the new additions. “Little things here and there that I think will just give us a little extra flavor.”

The team will continue to rely on its stars in running back Eli Warner, defensive end Besh Bodily and kicker Tanner Pidwell during the playoffs. Montzingo reminded that success always starts with the team line. Warner is tied for sixth in all of Utah in receiving touchdowns, and Pidwell has not missed a touchdown all year.

Montzingo is hoping for a different signature Dozier Field playoff atmosphere. The team is pumped up and eager to feed off their crowds.

“One week at a time,” Montzingo said. “We never look ahead, it’s a way of tripping over ourselves. We certainly have full respect for Bear River, they are worth our time and attention.”

Montzingo’s group is vying for the program’s first state title this year. They are desperate to wipe the sour taste of last year’s semi-final defeat from their mouths.

The remainder of this week will be used for physical preparation for Friday’s game. With a win, the Miners will likely advance to a road game at Spanish Fork on November 8.

“Being able to execute, being able to hold up, being able to stay away from metal mistakes,” Montzingo said of the keys to playoff success. “If you can do that, you give yourself a chance to win every week.”

The Bear River game will begin at 6:00 pm on Friday, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals. The semifinals and final will be held on November 14 and 21 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Utah.

Shakhtar quarterback Besh Bodily drives the ball in the first half against Tooele on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Dozier Field. credit: Photo from the Park Record file by Clayton Steward