After a strong start the Emery Spartans allowed 21 points in the second quarter as they suffered a 35-14 loss to the Juab Wasps in the opening round of the 3A State Tournament Friday night in Nephi.

Logan Cox finished with 101 yards on the ground and reached the end zone once, but it was not enough to push the Emery offense that continued to struggle inside the 20-yard line. Aside from Cox Emery accumulated the majority of their yardage through the air as Zac Jorgensen completed eight of 21 passes for 99 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Juab senior quarterback Ryker Osborne finished 8-13 through the air for 213 yards and three scores to lead the 3A South champions into the semifinals. Austin Elsmore hauled in two passes for 82 yards, while Jakota Snow, Colton Wright and Walker Ludlow all caught one touchdown score.

After forcing a three-and-out defensively on the opening drive of the game, the Spartans marched the ball all the way down to the Juab 10-yard line. After stalling out on consecutive plays, Ethan Winter’s 27-yard field goal attempt clanked off of the upright to end an efficient drive with no points.

Emery’s defense once again held tight to force a Juab punt, but the offense gave up the first score of the game. With 4:12 remaining in the first quarter Jorgensen’s pass was intercepted off of a deflection and returned 31-yards by Jakota Snow for a touchdown. The Wasps held a 7-0 lead going into the second quarter, but then took full control in the second stanza.

Osborne used his arms and legs to march the field on three straight drives to open up a comfortable 28-0 lead at the break. The Wasps added one more score in the fourth to strengthen their lead to five scores entering the final quarter.

The Spartans avoided the shutout loss by scoring two touchdowns in the final 12 minutes. Friday’s loss ends the season and dips Emery’s overall record to a final 4-6 for the 2016 season.

Friday’s win puts Juab in the semifinals where they will meet the defending 3A state champions in Juan Diego Thursday for the right to play in the title game on Nov. 12. The two teams met last year in the semifinals and Juan Diego earned a 28-13 win.