Breaking down Trinity - Bingham

[Prep Ticket]

For those of you looking for some names, stats, strengths and weaknesses this is for you. The die-hard, hardcore football fan (it's lengthy, but a game worth some extra ink).

The game's still a few days away but here's some info. to soak up and talk about. Looks like a great matchup with question marks on both sides of the ball. It's always hard to get a feel for what a game between teams from different states will turn out like but we took our best crack at it. Curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

Labor Day game could be a classic (http://www.prepticket.com/news/market/north--texas/id/2444)

[wesaxman34]

Great read - thanks for posting the link.

I can't wait! :notworthy

[clc]

Very interesting...TFS!

[trojanbacker]

Nice job. It's really hard to compare the two teams because there is such a difference in the level of competition in Utah and Texas. They're obviously a good team and well-coached. Trinity will have their hands full and it will be a good test for a very young and inexperienced Trojan team. Looking forward to it.

[allendad]

That was a great article with great information.

Boy, it really WOULD seem that Bingham
is the favorite with that info.

Should be a better game that I thought.

MAYBE !

I can't wait for MONDAY ! ! ! ! !

I'm taking my two youngest sons.

I just finsihed emptying their Piggy-Banks
so we could have enough $$cash$$ for vittles !


Go TRINITY ! ! ! !

[trojanbacker]

Thanks for your support, Allendad. We'll need every bit of it on Monday.

[allendad]

Well there are a BUNCH of us comin' out there.

I'm sure there are butterflies galore out there
in Euless because you don't really know what
cha got.

Sleepin' in your own beds will help to not make this
too much of an "out of the ordinary" game.

Hopefully the kids will settle down after the 1st
quarter and it will all come back to them.

Don't mind the EAGLES hats and shirts . . . .

Our hearts are pure TROJAN for this one baby! ! ! !

[stinger]

Good write-up. The one intangible not discussed, and couldn't be, is player strength. I think Trinity's off season ritual of staying together as a unit and working out is a plus. Being that football is such a big thing here, the boys know that one factor that can make the difference in a game is strength and conditioning. That is where Trinity shines. Just as in the 05 team, during the Carter scrimmage, linemen were constantly seen downfield blocking. That is where lack of size, even though they are still big, can make the difference. Downfield blocking can be the intangible in a game. Trinity is famous for that. That is where they get a lot of their pancake blocks. The new quarterback has blazing speed to get to open areas to find receivers, or make the turn. This is the guy we didn't talk about last year. He has ALL of the tools to be really good. With good support, you will see it happen. A lot of the Carter blocking schemes were not successful because the defensive linemen were able to get past them before they could set up. Pass protection was almost non-existent. I and others was very excited at what we saw in team speed and coverage. I personally am very excited at the prospect of what was seen earlier. It will be a good game, but I honestly give the nod to Trinity, especially late in the game. YOU ALL KNOW HOW GOOD LINEWEAVER IS AT HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS. ;):D

[The Great Evaluator]

The video I have seen on Bingham is pretty impressive, however Trojan Backer makes a good point, what is the competition level in Utah really like? I think at the highest levels (where Bingham is at) it's pretty good. They obviously don't have anywhere near the number of quality teams that Texas does but the few that they have can hang with most people.

I think it will take Trinity a little time to catch up to game speed but once they do they'll be okay - provided they don't fall too far behind early like they did in their season-ending loss to Allen. Bingham appears to be capable of stalemating them in the trenches, the biggest advantage i see for Trinity is in team speed. There's no doubt they're faster but if the game is close the advantage might go to Bingham.

Their kicker is considered one of the tops in the nation and can consistently hit from 45 yards and in. In Vegas terms, my best guess would be a 10 point spread. Hard to say who is better and truthfully it will come down to turnovers and penalties but I believe it will be an enjoyable game. Let's hope the good guys win and represent Texas.

I haven't heard word on whether or not the roof will be open or closed but I did hear from a good source that Fox Sports Net will be tying their cameras into the big screens.

[The Great Evaluator]

Good write-up. The one intangible not discussed, and couldn't be, is player strength. I think Trinity's off season ritual of staying together as a unit and working out is a plus. Being that football is such a big thing here, the boys know that one factor that can make the difference in a game is strength and conditioning. That is where Trinity shines. Just as in the 05 team, during the Carter scrimmage, linemen were constantly seen downfield blocking. That is where lack of size, even though they are still big, can make the difference. Downfield blocking can be the intangible in a game. Trinity is famous for that. That is where they get a lot of their pancake blocks. The new quarterback has blazing speed to get to open areas to find receivers, or make the turn. This is the guy we didn't talk about last year. He has ALL of the tools to be really good. With good support, you will see it happen. A lot of the Carter blocking schemes were not successful because the defensive linemen were able to get past them before they could set up. Pass protection was almost non-existent. I and others was very excited at what we saw in team speed and coverage. I personally am very excited at the prospect of what was seen earlier. It will be a good game, but I honestly give the nod to Trinity, especially late in the game. YOU ALL KNOW HOW GOOD LINEWEAVER IS AT HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS. ;):D

Those are all solid points, the only thing I would caution against is overconfidence. Typically Trinity doesn't look so good in their annual scrimmage against Carter but this year they did.

Carter may not be too good this year though as they got hammered by Klein Forest 51-28. This might be one of the worst teams they've had in awhile so I wouldn't read too much into the scrimmage. Of course you'd rather your team look good in those situations than not.

[dada]

for some reason my job has prepticket blocked...can someone copy and paste so I can read? I would greatly appriciate it.

[trojanbacker]

TGE makes a good point about the kicking game. I've seen the Bingham kicker ranked as one of the top kickers in the country. Not sure what we have there.

IMO, the biggest advantage that Bingham has over Trinity is that they've already played two games and have had a chance to get over those early season jitters. I expect Trinity to start slowly on offense, with a new quarterback, line, etc. Hopefully our defense can hang in there until the offense gets going.

[E-Vol-ution]

I'm a Haka East dude for this one.......but my "Fro" has dissipated due to seasoning. Do us proud Trinity!:D

[E-Vol-ution]

I know one thing......they'd better not kick to that young slinky kid that looks like he's running in his socks. He is one slippery guy. (I know he had to make varsity).
TGE makes a good point about the kicking game. I've seen the Bingham kicker ranked as one of the top kickers in the country. Not sure what we have there.

IMO, the biggest advantage that Bingham has over Trinity is that they've already played two games and have had a chance to get over those early season jitters. I expect Trinity to start slowly on offense, with a new quarterback, line, etc. Hopefully our defense can hang in there until the offense gets going.

[cougmantx]

Labor Day showdown could be a classic

ARLINGTON -- As the regular season continues this weekend, there is no matchup more intriguing than the one between state powerhouses Euless Trinity and Bingham, Utah. For starters, the two will christen the new Cowboys' stadium by participating in the first high school football game ever, an honor that borders on the surreal for both coaches.

"Needless to say, we're excited about it" Bingham head coach Dave Peck said. "Trinity has built quite a reputation as one of the nation's premier programs and we're excited for the opportunity to see how we measure up. We've played quite a few games in college stadiums in front of some big crowds but this is on a completely different level. The Cowboys have built a palace that is second to none" he added.

Trinity head coach Steve Lineweaver agreed. "Every day at the end of practice we look over at the stadium (the roof is visible from the practice field) and think, are we really playing there? We have a lot of kids who will be making their first ever varsity start in front of a regional t.v. audience in the biggest and most advanced stadium in the world. The pressure to perform in your first varsity game at Pennington Field is tough enough, this is unchartered territory for all of us" he said.

Over the last 4 years, Trinity and Bingham are two of the most successful programs in the country. The Trojans have compiled an overall record of 53-4 with two state titles. Bingham has been equally as impressive with a record of 46-6 and a state title in 2006.

"It's like looking in the mirror. They do a lot of the same things that we do and some of those things, they do better" Trinity head coach Steve Lineweaver said. The feeling of respect from head coach Dave Peck is mutual. "Steve has done a great job in getting his kids to buy into his system and they are not an easy team to prepare for" he said.

Of course officials at the Herbstreit Varsity Classic are thrilled to have two nationally recognized programs who both feature rosters that include many Pacific Islanders. Both teams have key contributors that are 1st and 2nd generation Tongans. Both teams do the haka, a traditional war dance that originated in New Zealand that serves as a motivational experience for both the team and their fans.

On paper, the team's appear to be very evenly matched. Here's a breakdown of each unit as we see it.

Quarterback - Both teams are breaking in new starters. Bingham features senior QB Ty Hannay, who is coming off an impressive performance against defending state champion Alta by throwing for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. With only two starts under his belt, he comes into the game relatively inexperienced but at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, looks good in the pocket and has demonstrated above average arm strength. He never lost a game at the junior varsity level.

Trinity's Willie Hubbard steps in for the recently departed Denarious McGhee. Hubbard is cut from the same mold as McGee and coaches rave about his poise and intelligence. Starting your first varsity game on a big stage is a lot to ask of anyone and fortunately for him, he'll have a strong running game to lean on early.

The edge goes to:








Running Backs
Bingham junior tailback Harvey Langi is a specimen. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he is a down-hill runner that finishes plays with authority. Last week against defending state champion Alta, he ran for 189 yards on 22 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass that covered 73 yards. How Trinity fares will depend largely on how well they can slow him down. If Langi is able to have his way with the defense, it's likely game over. Everything the Miners do is predicated on his success. If he gets going, that sets up play action and opens up the passing game. The Trojans are historically one of the best teams in the state against the rush, so it will be strength against strength. In this day and age it's rare to see two teams that play old-school football and the team that can slow their opponents running game down the best will very likely be the winner.

Trinity is the last of a dying breed in Texas. While most teams have gone to the spread offense, the Trojans are "prisoners to their own success" as Coach Lineweaver put it. Simply put, if it ain't broke don't fix it. The Trojans power running game rivals that of any in the country and the 1-2 punch of senior Damien Hart and Tevin Williams will be all the Miners can handle. Williams was the sophomore of the year in District 5-5A after rushing for 1,167 yards on 194 carries. He led the team in touchdowns with 20 and most importantly did not lose a fumble all year. He has the speed to go the distance at any time, while Hart is more of a bruising runner. He returns after rushing for 551 yards and seven touchdowns.

The edge goes to:


Offensive Line
Bingham is stout up front, averaging 275 pounds a man across a talented line that features BYU commit Tuni Kanuch. Much like Trinity, the Miners are known for their ability to maul their opponents and wear them down throughout the course of the game. If things are still tight as the teams head to the fourth quarter, keep an eye on which team looks fresher in the trenches.

Trinity has a number of question marks up front with just one returning starter. Isikeli Cocker is the lone starter back from last year's regional finalist team and he's surrounded by young but talented starters. The most intriguing prospect is Andreu Kirby. At 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds, Kirby already fills out the uniform and he's just a freshman. As you might expect, the coaching staff is excited about his potential and he's expected to get playing time this season. Keep an eye out for big number 57. While Trinity's young prospects have a bright future, Bingham's experience gives the Miners a slight edge here.

The edge goes to:


Receivers
There's no receiver that stands out as unstoppable but the Miners do an excellent job of spreading the wealth. In the first two weeks they have completed passes to seven different receivers for 6 touchdowns and 270 yards. Senior tight end Chris Copier (6'5, 230 lbs) is a big target who has good hands and the ability to get open consistently.

Trinity returns senior Bobby Brown who at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds is small in stature but capable of producing a big play at any given moment. With Tyree Tucker and Stetson Smith graduated, the Trojans will be counting on some new faces to step up. Junior Brandon Carter is expected to be the leader of this group when all is said and done but he's coming off of a serious injury. He's just two months removed from having a couple of screws taken out of his knee after an injury in last season's area round win over Plano.

The edge goes to:


Defensive Line
The Miners are young but very good here, especially up the middle. Their starting defensive tackles Seni Fauonuku (6'0, 285 lbs.) and Kesni Tausinga (6'0, 260 lbs) are solid against the run. Fauonuku is one of the team leaders in tackles after two games with 19. They've also been able to get good pressure in the pass rush from the front four.

Although they return only one starter (Sete Malle), this is arguably the deepest part of the team. Patrick Coker, Paul Pauni and Christopher Herring each saw signifigant minutes last season and junior Andre Young was "dominant" at the JV level according to the coaching staff. It's pretty even between the two teams here but Trinity's depth is the difference.

The edge goes to:


Linebackers
Bingham is solid but not spectacular here with starters Brandon Lambert (6'0, 195), Roman Valenzuela (5'11, 205) and Mano Pikula (6'1, 235) are heady ball-players and rely on good instincts moreso than athletic ability.

Trinity is replacing all three starters from what was arguably the best group of linebackers in the school's history. This year's group is smaller than in year's past but also appears to be faster. Junior Jonathon Yenga is being counted on to produce and if he's anything close to older brother Youri (a senior at SMU) then the Trojans have a good start at rebuilding this unit.

The edge goes to:


Secondary
If the Miners have an area of concern, it is likely this unit. Last week against Alta, they were burned repeatedly in man-coverage. The coaching staff adjusted by playing zone and they played much better in that scheme. Braden Anderson leads the team with three interceptions.

For Trinity, it's more of the unknown. Senior corner Sam Smith is the only returner with any varsity experience. As a unit the Trojans are as fast as they've ever been but experience makes this a question mark. While Bingham has the experience, it's a group that was shaky last season and Trinity has talent and potential here. That makes this a push.

The edge goes to:


Coaching
Miners head coach Dave Peck has built the Bingham program into a powerhouse and his teams don't beat themselves. Mental errors are pretty rare and that's always a good sign that they've been coached well.

Trinity head coach Steve Lineweaver is a living legend in Texas. Last season he passed another legend, Plano coach Tom Kimbrough in all-time wins. In the past 14 years, he has taken his teams to five state title games, winning three of them. His talented staff has been together for a long time and defensive coordinator Donald Tryon is one of the best in the business.

The edge goes to:


Special Teams
Bingham has a dependable kicker in Braeden Loveless who ironically is from Texas originally. Loveless is considered a D-1 prospect with range out to 45 yards.

Trinity counters with a good kicking game of it's own but a slight edge goes to Bingham in this department.

The edge goes to:


Intangibles
This might depend on how one looks at it. Is it better to have a couple of games experience going into a game like this? Or better to go in relatively injury free with it being the team's first game? That can be debated, but one thing both coaches agree on is homefield advantage counts for a lot. The Trojans have one of the most supportive fan bases and a large partisan crowd is expected. Even Trinity head coach Steve Lineweaver admits that he's glad that he and his team will be able to sleep in their own beds and have the advantage in crowd support.

The edge goes to:


On paper Bingham is more experienced and arguably more talented. The two big x-factors in this game will be turnovers and home-field advantage. The home-field is always worth something, especially when it's an intra-state matchup. Turnovers are the great equalizer in any game but assuming that's even, the question becomes "will home-field advantage be enough to overcome a team that is more experienced and possibly more talented?"

We'll have to wait until Monday to find out but Bingham head coach Dave Peck and his players will have an extra surge of adrenaline going into this one. He's on record as saying "this is the most important game in the history of high school football in Utah". In his opinion, a victory against an elite program from the state of Texas would help validate his state as a legitimate national player. And that's just what they intend to accomplish.

Pre-game ticket sales have been strong and a good walk-up crowd is expected to be on hand to see the new Cowboys Stadium. Is there a better way to start a season?



Hey people please don't quote this when you post. I am coping it here so dada can read it while he is suppose to be working....:D

[dada]

Thanks cougman!

[cougmantx]

Thanks cougman!

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