The Carbon Dino Football season ended on Oct. 16 with a 28-20 loss to the South Sevier Rams on the road in Monroe. Finishing the season 1-8 and 0-5 in Region 12, the Dinos just missed the cut off for the state playoffs, finishing No. 18 in the RPI.
Throughout the season the Dinos experienced several near wins. A one score game at the end of the first half, Carbon had multiple drives stall out in an 11-0 loss to Duchesne. The team also suffered one score losses to Emery and South Sevier.
Playing in only nine games during the regular season, the second contest of the season was cancelled as Altamont dropped their football program.
Below is a recap of the season:
Aug. 16- American Leadership Academy- 38-6, Loss:
Despite early success on offense the Carbon Dinos suffered a 38-6 loss to the American Leadership Academy Eagles in the season opener in Spanish Fork.
Trailing 7-0 in the opening quarter, Carbon scored their only touchdown of the game as senior Ridic Migliori passed the goal line on a three yard run. ALA returned the ensuing kick-off 90-yards to regain momentum and control.
Despite scoring only six points Carbon held their own statistically with the Eagles. Finishing just 20 yards behind in total offense, the Dinos also recorded 12 first downs.
Aug. 29- Duchesne- 11-0, Loss:
Locked in a tight defensive battle throughout, the Carbon Dinos suffered an 11-0 loss to the Duchesne Eagles on the road in the second game of the season.
Trailing 7-0 at the end of the first half, the Dinos failed to produce a touchdown ending drive despite several promising moments. Two second half safeties sealed the deal for Duchesne as they improved to 3-0, while Carbon slipped to 1-2.
Fresh off of a forfeit victory, turned bye week, the Carbon defense caused the speed heavy Duchesne offense to stay off balance throughout the entertaining tilt. Allowing one first quarter touchdown, Carbon’s defense produced three quarters of scoreless football.
“Our defense stepped and decided that they wanted to play football,” said head coach Josh Huntsman following the contest. “I was super happy with what we did. Don’t take the loss, take what we learned. And what we learned tonight was so valuable.”
Sept. 6- Judge Memorial- 50-6, Win:
The Carbon Dinos produced their highest scoring output since 2000 in a dominating 50-6 victory over the Judge Memorial Bulldogs in Salt Lake City.
Entering the contest 0-2 on the season, Carbon was dominate from the beginning as they scored touchdowns on their first four drives of the game. Holding a 14-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter, the lead ballooned to 34-6 entering the break. The second half was a formality as the Dinos earned their first win of the 2019 campaign.
“It’s tough when you go on the road, but how can you not be excited to play at this facility?” said head coach Josh Huntsman. “It’s fun to be down there on the turf and fun to watch our kids play well. I thought our kids battled and came out fired up.”
While the team dominated in all three aspects of the contest, senior Jaylon Dennis had an evening to remember.
Scoring the team’s second touchdown on a 10-yard run out of the backfield, Dennis would go on to add three more scores. The second came as he extended Carbon’s lead to 28-0 with a 50 yard punt return for a score. The third would come just moments later, immediately responding to Judge Memorial’s only touchdown with a 91-yard kick off return. Dennis added his fourth score in the third quarter with a 42-yard interception return.
“It was a phenomenal game for him,” said Huntsman. “I’ve been talking to him all week about getting his wiggle back. Against Duchesne he tried to run over people. He has to show the wiggle and make people miss. When he does that, he’s a phenomenal football player.”
Sept. 13- Union- 45-26, Loss:
Despite a competitive contest throughout, the Carbon Dinos were unable to keep pace with the Union Cougars in the fourth quarter, falling 45-26 in the home opener.
Entering the game with hopes of winning for a second consecutive week, the Dinos trailed Union 12-6 at the end of the first quarter. The game remained a back-and-forth one score contest, until the Cougars scored 13 unanswered in the fourth quarter to pull away for good.
Senior quarterback Tyler Wright continued his streak of consistence play, completing 9-17 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Wright connected with fellow senior Brandon August for both touchdown passes in the contest.
Junior Cooper Schade led the Carbon rushing attack as he accumulated 83 yards on 17 carries, averaging just under five yards per touch. Senior Jaylon Dennis worked as the complimentary back, gathering 70 yards on eight carries, while finding the end zone once.
Sept. 20- Richfield- 42-0, Loss:
The Carbon Dinos opened up Region 12 play with a 42-0 loss to the Richfield Wildcats at home in a rematch of last year’s opening round state tournament contest.
Carbon trailed 14-0 at the end of a competitive first quarter that featured two big plays for Richfield. The game quickly slipped away in the second stanza as the Wildcats added 21 points to their lead before the break.
The Richfield defense stifled Carbon’s offensive attack throughout the contest, limiting the Dinos throughout the contest. The longest play of the game for Carbon came on a 44 yard run from quarterback Tyler Wright.
With a focus on limiting edge production, the Wildcats held Carbon senior standout Jaylon Dennis to negative five yards on five carries. Dennis did find success out of the backfield as a receiver, hauling in two catches for 19 yards.
Wright completed seven-of-13 passes for 28 yards. Using his legs outside of the pocket, he finished as Carbon’s top offensive weapon by gathering 51 yards on seven carries.
Sept. 27- Emery- 26-21, Loss:
The Emery Spartans regained control of the coveted Coal Bucket with a 26-21 victory over the Carbon Dinos in Castle Dale.
Carbon drew first blood by taking advantage of a short field off of an Emery turnover. Cooper Schade crossed the goal line on a 24-yard run as Carbon jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. The scored remained in the Dinos’ favor entering the second quarter.
Trailing 26-14 at the end of the first half, Carbon regained its footing with a solid defensive effort over the final two quarters. A third quarter drive ending with a five yard Jaylon Dennis score brought the Dinos within five.
“It was a great football. I thought our kids played really hard,” said Carbon head coach Josh Huntsman. “Give Emery credit, they played really hard too. Congratulations to them, because they did what they needed to do to get the win.”
Led by senior standout Jaylon Dennis, the Dinos finished with 193 yards of total offense, topping Emery’s 180.
“Too many penalties on our part,” said Huntsman. “If we take away some of those it puts us in a better spot to win the game. When you get personal foul penalties it hurts you and we just couldn’t overcome those.”
Oct. 4- Grand- 47-6, Loss:
Despite a competitive first half the Carbon Dinos were unable to keep pace with the Grand Red Devils in a 47-6 loss at home.
Trailing 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Dinos managed to answer a Grand score as senior Jaylon Dennis crossed the goal line for the team’s lone score of the evening. Faced with a 20-6 half time deficit, the second half was dominated by the Red Devils.
Grand quarterback Bryant Troutt delivered a career night, running the football 13 times for 232 yards and five touchdowns. Adding some sort of balance to the attack, he also completed three-of-five passes for 59 yards.
Unable to crack the Grand defensive code, the Dinos were shutout over the final two quarters of the contest.
Oct. 11- San Juan- 48-6, Loss:
The Carbon Dinos met the San Juan Bronco, the No.1 team in region 12. Sitting at 1-6 on the season and win less in Region 12 play, the Dinos opponent is on the opposite end of the spectrum at 7-2 overall and undefeated in region.
The Broncos led off with 13 points in the opening quarter, Carbon’s lone score would come in the form of a 54-yard pass from Tyler Wright to Jaylon Dennis. With seconds left in the half Carbon was poised to head into halftime trailing by one score, but a 40-yard pass from Shaw Nielson to Porter Ivins would put San Juan up 20-6 with :03 seconds left until halftime. San Juan would come out in the second half scoring two touchdowns in each quarter to put the game away.
Oct. 16- South Sevier- 28-20, Loss:
Needing a win to bolster their playoff chances, the Carbon Dinos dropped the regular season finale 28-20 on the road against the South Sevier Rams in Monroe.
Trailing 28-14 at the end of the first half, the Dinos outscored South Sevier 6-0 in the final two quarters. Despite having multiple chances to possibly tie the game, the Carbon offense was unable to establish a final scoring drive.
“We felt like we made some pretty good adjustments defensively at half time,” said head coach Josh Huntsman. “We thought if we can score on our first drive in the second half we’ll put ourselves in position to get a win.”
Senior standout Jaylon Dennis scored two touchdowns in Friday night’s loss. Again showcasing his ability to create magic in the open field, Dennis returned a kick 95-yards for a score. The second came on a 17 yard run.
“They did what they had to do and I thought our kids fought hard,” Huntsman said. “I thought our kids played well. It’s tough to watch them play what could be their last game, but I am super proud of them.”
Post season news:
On March 23 it was announced that Phil Howa is the new head coach the Carbon Football program.