Under the Dozier Field lights Friday, the Miners football squad crushed regional opponent Cottonwood 63-0. The domination began early, with Park City taking a 28-0 lead into the second quarter. The Miners would double up that lead heading into halftime, pitching their third shutout of the season.
Park City tacked on a late fourth-quarter score to close things.
The Miners relied on their trademark balanced attack, especially with star tailback Eli Warner out with an ankle sprain from last week. Ethan Cunningham scored three rushing touchdowns, and Owen Osario, Levi Michaelis and quarterback Bash Bodily each had one.
Bodily also had a 20-yard passing touchdown in the first quarter to Reece Smith, Bodily’s fifth this season.
“I was proud of the whole team,” said head coach Josh Montzingo. “Good in all phases — special teams, offense, defense. We executed well, and that’s kind of what we wanted to make sure we did for the week — play as clean a game as possible.”
Montzingo wasn’t worried about not having Warner, placing faith in his other weapons on offense. Cunningham, a bruising sophomore back, is up to six touchdowns this season. Bodily also has five rushing touchdowns this year.
The Miners defense and special teams units are now up to five touchdowns this season. Luke Diamond returned a block punt for a score Friday and Nikolas Morgan a pick for another. Montzingo said the groups are incredibly well-coached and deep.
“Our staff does a wonderful job,” Montzingo said. “We have a lot of great athletes on the field. … The rotation keeps it fresh and has guys playing at a high level and not getting tired.”
Montzingo noted Morgan’s interception return as a point of defensive athleticism, with the junior having to make multiple maneuvers to score.
The Miners hope to be at full strength, with Warner back in the fold, when they head to Jordan to take on the regional foe Friday at 7 p.m. While Jordan is 1-6, Park City can’t afford to overlook anyone if they want to win their region and secure playoff seeding. The Miners defeated Jordan 35-0 at home last fall.
“They’ve got some athletes that can definitely play,” said Montzingo. “Looks like they’re pretty well coached, so it’s going to be a nice little challenge. It’ll be fun.”
Montzingo added that the team carries with it a ‘Park City-versus-Park City’ mantra, wanting to always play up to their potential.
Senior Owen Campbell is runs the ball up the sideline while being brought down by a defender. Credit: File photo by Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Miner defenders Jackson Hockersmith (#28) and Graham Brown (#69) corner the Colts quarterback before a sack in the first half. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Senior Becker Ruzek takes down an opponent from the Cottonwood Colts on Friday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record 
Senior Justin Michaelis runs the ball before being taken down by a Colt near the end zone. Credit: Park Record file photo by Clayton Steward 
Senior Tyler Demarco goes in for a sack against the Colt’s quarterback. 
Senior Bash Bodily prepares to launch the ball down field to an open Miner receiver on Friday against the Cottonwood Colts. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
A major goal for the Miners will also be staying healthy each week as they enter the home stretch of the season. After Jordan, the team has remaining games against Tooele and Springville. Tooele on Oct. 10 will serve as the team’s senior night and Springville on Oct. 16 a chance to boost their playoff resume.
Playoff seeding is determined by RPI (Rating Percentage Index), a computer system. RPI factors in modified winning percentage, opponents’ winning percentage and opponents’ opponents winning percentage. Only the top eight teams will be seeded Oct. 19 when the brackets are revealed; Park City is currently ranked ninth.
Last year, the Miners were blown out at home by Springville, who is ranked 12th in RPI but for 5A, which is a classification for larger schools.
“We’re about two-and-a-half weeks away from that (playoff ball),” said Montzingo. “Definitely want to stay as healthy as possible, be peaking at the right time, playing our best ball. I feel like we’re on our way to that, so if we can keep going for the next two-and-a-half weeks, we’ll be set up well for the playoffs.”
