Tel Gardner’s 38-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter was enough to lift the Emery Spartans to a 13-9 victory of the Manti Templars Friday evening in Castle Dale.

Trailing 9-0 at half time the Spartans used a touchdown in the third and fourth quarter to complete the come-from-behind win. Emery was once again sound defensively allowing just 229 yards for the game and only six first downs.

“It is pre-season, but we will take any win we can get,” said head coach Jon Faimalo during the post game show on KOAL 103.9 FM and 750 AM. “Next week is when it counts, but this tonight is a good win against a good team. Hopefully we can just build off of this moving forward.”

Manti claimed an early advantage scoring on a 90-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marshall Dotson to standout tailback Mac Stevens with 2:10 to play in the first quarter. The Templars added two more points as an errant snap went over Gardner’s head and out of the back of the end zone on an attempted punt.

Emery’s first score of the game came midway through the third quarter as senior Dalton McKee scored on a one-yard run. The touchdown drive was set up by Gus Garcia, who intercepted Dotson and returned it inside the 20-yard line.

Down two in the final minutes of the contest Emery’s defense once again provided a spark. With the ball near midfield Dotson attempted to scramble outside of the pocket, but was stripped from behind by KC Jones. Kobe Faimalo recovered the loose ball and Emery took over with 2:00 minutes to play in the game. Moments later Gardner scored the go-ahead touchdown.

Manti’s final drive was cut short moments later as Logan Cox intercepted Dotson across the center of the field to ice the game. After playing turnover free football in the first half, Manti committed five in the final 24 minutes.

Cox once again led the Spartans offensively as he finished with 92 yards on only 21 carriers. Gardner was an ideal compliment finishing with 46 yards on eight attempts and McKee logged 36 yards on nine carries.

Zac Jorgensen again delivered an efficient game from under center completing five of 10 passes for 53 yards. Kolton Butler hauled in three of those five completions for 29 yards.

Finishing the non-region season 2-2 the Spartans will now turn their attention to the Carbon Dinos, Friday’s region opening opponent. The game will act as homecoming for Carbon, adding to the excitement building around Friday’s rivalry meeting.

“They are going to bring out their best and hopefully we do as well,” said Faimalo. “They’ve played a tough pre-season and I think that will help them prepare for the region season. Hopefully we can match their intensity on their field and not lay an egg.”

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