The Emery Spartans will advance to the 3A High School State Championship Football Tournament as the final seed to qualify, it was announced Saturday by the Utah High School Activities Association.

Despite finishing the season just 1-9 overall and 1-4 in Region 12 play, the Spartans edged out the Judge Memorial Bulldogs and Carbon Dinos for the final playoff spot. Emery’s non-region strength of schedule and head-to-head win over Carbon proved to be the difference.

Entering the final week of the regular season as the No. 15 seed, the Spartans suffered a 49-0 loss to San Juan. South Sevier, who entered last Friday’s tilt No. 16, defeated the Carbon Dinos 28-20. The South Sevier win prevented a three-way divisional tie.

“Our plan was to go down to San Juan and try to control our own destiny, but at the end of the day the Carbon-South Sevier game was key for us,” said head coach Jon Faimalo. “Fortunately for us South Sevier wins and we get into the playoffs.”

Holding the final playoff spot in the classification means the Spartans will have to travel to Mount Pleasant to face the North Sanpete Hawks, 3A’s No. 1 seed, Friday night. The meeting will be the second this season. The first ended in North Sanpete’s favor 43-6 back in August.

The Hawks locked in the No. 1 seed despite finishing second in Region 14 after suffering a 28-5 loss to the Juab Wasps. Both Juab and North Sanpete ended the season 9-1 overall, but the Hawks strength of schedule propelled them past Juab for the top seed.

“It’s a tough draw no matter what when you look at the top four teams in the state,” said Faimalo. “North Sanpete is a tough draw because they are so aggressive defensively and that’s what gave us fits the first time. Offensively we need to be efficient, take some time off of the clock and try to put up points.”

Friday night’s opening round matchup is scheduled to kick-off at 4:00 p.m.. Live coverage will begin at 3:30 on KOAL 107.3 FM and 750 AM. The live audio stream will also be available at castlecountryradio.com.

Click HERE to view the complete final RPI rankings.