The Miners football team took care of business to open their 2025 season Friday night, taking down rival Wasatch 28-23.
Park City overcame a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit, powered largely by their passing attack and a couple of timely interceptions.
Now, the Miners are back at work. The team is practicing on Dozier Field and watching film on their next opponent in Ridgeline. Park City will take on the Riverhawks Friday on Dozier again at 7 p.m.
Like the Miners, Ridgeline enters the showdown 1-0, having taken down Morgan in their season opener Friday night. They were 12-0 last year entering the state semifinals, where they lost to Spanish Fork, who beat Park City in the quarterfinals.
Ridgeline is a 4A team like Park City. They returned some of their star players from 2024 including their quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker. Miners head coach Josh Montzingo said his team will need to be disciplined and play cleanly to give themselves a chance against the Riverhawks.
“Game planning has already started,” Montzingo said on Saturday. “Guys are definitely taking the weekend to take care of themselves.”
Montzingo said his team watched plenty of film while resting to ready themselves. They could be without their on-field leader in signal caller Cole Morgan, who left at halftime of the season opener with an injury. Montzingo referred to Ridgeline as the top team in 4A headed into the season.
Montzingo is glad the game will again be at home, forcing a nearly two-hour drive south from Ridgeline. He knows how well his boys are supported at Dozier. Montzingo said the Miners may have even found they’re better in some areas than they originally thought amid the chaos of Friday night’s comeback.
“It was a great atmosphere; it always is,” Montzingo said. “School starts on Monday, so maybe we’ll get even a few more fans this coming Friday … We always get a great turnout. It’s amazing how great the community is at supporting.”
In addition to playing clean, Montzingo will look for his players to take advantage of any opportunity Friday night. Charlie Cusimano came up big on offense and Luke Diamond on defense against Wasatch. Montzingo said he feels he has the state’s best defensive staff, who were able to adapt well on the fly during the comeback win.
Montzingo loved how his team responded when faced with adversity Friday. He said they have no shortage of upperclassmen leaders who aren’t afraid to speak up and get everyone locked in when needed. If the Miners fall behind again against Ridgeline, don’t look for them to back away from the challenge.
“They’re a pretty complete team on both offense and defense,” Montzingo said. “We won’t be able to make as many mental mistakes on either side.”