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After shocking most people in the high school football scene in Utah last week, the Davis Darts took to the field for the state 5A football championship with an upset on their mind for the second week in a row, the Darts’ road block, Bingham’s Stefan Cantwell.

The Darts came out firing on all cylinders and using an element of surprise. Known for their powerful running game led by senior, Tanner Hinds, the Darts took to the air catching Bingham’s defense off guard throughout the first half. Davis quarterback, Gavin Fowler, completed 8 of 11 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Darts wide receiver, Daniel Moffett, had already eclipsed the 100 yard mark by halftime with six catches for 110 yards and one touchdown.

It was clear throughout the first half that the Davis Darts came into the game with the better game plan but it is how you finish that counts. When Bingham went into the half, the coaches left their players with one simple remark. “Coach told us it was up to the players and then the coaches left the locker room,” said Bingham defensive lineman Seni Fauonuku. Fauonuku and a few of the team leaders took over the locker room and whatever was said seemed to light a fire in the Miners.

Bingham took to the field in the second half with renewed energy and a new game plan. “Stefan is a kid that brings a lot to the table,” said Coach Peck, as Cantwell became the centerpiece of a fierce Miner’s run that put 28 points on the board in the second half. Davis never seemed to find an answer for the change-of-pace quarterback as Cantwell finished the game with 18 carries for 173 yards and four touchdowns, three of which came in the second half.

“We noticed some things running the QB lead on the right so we continued with it,” said Cantwell. With the punishing combo of Cantwell and running back, Harvey Langi, the Darts defense started to soften, “They had a lot of guys that were playing both sides so we wanted to run ‘em down,” Cantwell continued, and in the end, the bigger and faster Miners were just too much for Davis.

“My hats off to Davis, they came in with a chip on their shoulder,” said Coach Peck. That chip on their shoulder almost won the game. Then halftime hit, “I told them, we need to dig down deep right now,” said Pack. Then the team leaders took over in the locker room and on the field.

Who are those guys: Bingham’s two running backs for the game were Tisi Tuifua and Ryland Tausinga, or so it seemed. It turned out to be the regulars, Harvey Langi and Richie Vakapuna respectively as they were wearing the jerseys in honor of their teammates. “It was for my best friend and first cousin, he tore his ACL. I told him I would wear his jersey if we made it to the top and we made it! I can’t explain how I feel.” Langi finished his spectacular junior season rushing 20 times for 120 yards and one touchdown.