Kicker Tanner Pidwell got to play the hero for the Miners football squad Wednesday night, delivering the game-winning field goal in the team’s 17-14 overtime win over 5A Springville. Park City traveled south and exacted their revenge from their 35-9 home loss last season. The win likely secures the Miners top-four seeding for next week’s playoffs. The bracket will be revealed Saturday at 10 a.m. The top eight seeds receive first-round byes and one home playoff game, while the top four get potentially two home playoff games. Park City was the fourth seed last fall, having won two games at Dozier Field en route to the semifinals at Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rice-Eccles is where this year’s team is trying to return. However, they’d like to leave with some hardware this time. The Springville win was a hard-fought battle, with the team’s strong defenses flexing their might. The two running backs, Eli Warner and Lisiate Vileti, each scored two touchdowns, Warner’s late, fourth-quarter one sending things into overtime. The Miners allowed Pidwell a difficult field goal try on their overtime drive, which he nailed, forcing Springville into a tough kicking try of their own, which they missed. “I’m super proud of the guys,” said head coach Josh Montzingo. “Great effort going up against another bigger opponent and finding a way to get it done. Really, really proud of their effort.”Montzingo was especially proud of another complete team win, something they take pride themselves on. He referred to Pidwell, and graduated David Dellenbach of last year’s squad, as luxuries to have at the high school level in the kicking game. Pidwell has yet to miss an extra point — and, as far as Montzingo remembers, a field goal — all season. “We are blessed, and we are spoiled,” said Montzingo on his kickers. “We’re very lucky to have him. He’s a master of his craft. He works year-round at this, and there’s nobody I would depend on or trust more.”The kicking game and sound special teams play are often weak points for high school and even college teams. Montzingo is confident in that unit heading into the postseason. He believes Pidwell will be a highly-coveted recruit in the 2026 class. Montzingo also praised Warner and his offensive line for their performances. He said the line was moving players almost twice their sizes and that Warner was capitalizing on the gaps created. Montzingo and Warner have discussed his natural ability to find narrow gaps in a defense before, a skill of many talented backs. Brogan Price runs the ball through traffic along the sideline last Thursday. Credit: File photo by Clayton Steward/Park RecordThe Miners are confident their running game and stout defense will translate well into the playoffs. Over the last few weeks, the defense has shown the ability to prepare for and stop complicated wing-T and dual quarterback offenses. The defense pitched three shutouts this regular season and many other excellent performances. “You got to be able to just find a way,” said Montzingo on his defense. “Our defense made some great adjustments. Coaches did an awesome job, and I’m really proud of them for getting that figured out. It’s not easy; it’s a lot of hard work.”Park City was full of excitement after the win, something that should roll over into the playoffs. The team should get a week off and have the opportunity to pack the Dozier Field stands for some competitive playoff ball. Once the bracket is revealed Saturday, preparations will begin.The Miners will use next week to work on their own games while also taking a look at both potential opponents. Montzingo says they may be able to add in a few wrinkles for future opponents with the added time off. The rest is also crucial for getting any lingering injuries taken care of. “It does nothing but help recharge and rejuvenate,” added Montzingo. “This is a chance for some people to get away, recharge and even maybe catch their breath. … Everybody kind of comes back, either mentally, physically or both, recharged, and we try to manage the physical load next week to make sure we’re amplifying that.”Montzingo mentioned Ridgeline and Spanish Fork as some of the toughest teams that will be in the playoffs. He said they’ll take everything week-to-week, prepare for the matchup challenges each game and hope for good health throughout their run. With Park City expected to receive some snowfall this week, the Miners are especially ready to host some playoff games. While they’ve been thankful to avoid it thus far and be able to practice unimpeded, Montzingo said they know it only aids the physical brand of football they want to play. “Weather is not an issue for us,” said Montzingo. “We can run in snow, rain, whatever. … Hopefully we can create a home atmosphere where we get some snow piles in the end zones and on the sidelines, and it’s cold.”The first round of the playoffs will be held Oct. 25 and the second round Nov. 1, and the playoffs will wrap up Nov. 21 at Rice-Eccles. The Miners are searching for their first state title in program history.The post Miners football defeats 5A Springville in overtime Wednesday night appeared first on Park Record.